tornado_735

Well, I bought this Crown Victoria yesterday.

The 'check engine' light comes on randomly, and the thing runs like crap. It almost got me hurt today on a hill. The light came on, the engine bogged down, and the vic coasted to a stop. I had my foot to the floor, and it would not go up the hill. Eventually, I let the throttle about half way out, and it started creeping up the hill. I got about a hundred feet, and the light went out, and the engine made so much power all at once that it chirped the tires. Sometimes when the light comes on, it just stalls right then and there.

Today, I was checking stuff, and there was oil in the throttle body, looking like it was coming out of the hole for the PCV valve. Not a whole lot, but enough for me to wipe it out with a paper towel.

To me, this seems like a throttle position sensor. I had an Oldsmobile act sort of like this when the TPS died on it. I will freely admit that my knowledge on Ford 5.0L EFI engines is limited. I am going to go clean the throttle body out and see if that helps any.

any other ideas about what it might be?

Thanks much!
Aaron

tornado_735

Well, I used about half a shop sized bottle of throttle body cleaner, and sprayed the heck out of that thing. I sprayed out what I think was the Idle Air Control. I am going to see what it does now. Wish me luck.

Bert

If there's an Autozone nearby, go there and they will pull codes for free. Then you'll know what area to look in. The TPS doesn't cause oil or get oil in it from the throttle body.

tornado_735

Well, it looks like the oil might be getting in there from the PCV hose. I'm not that worried about it. I thought maybe the oil could have contaminated one of the sensors and was causing it to act up. And I tried once before to get codes read off of another ODB-I system, but the guy at autozone said they couldn't read ODB-I. Oh well.

The idle air control valve was absolutely filthy. There was all kinds of nasty crap coming out of that thing when I sprayed it. I might take it off and really clean it, but it might be good for now.

I'm waiting on some JB weld to cure on a leaky power steering line right now. We'll see how I did after that.

tornado_735

When I first got the car, I thought I was doing it a favor by running Sunoco 94 octane through it. Ran about 4 gallons of it through. Then I had all these problems. Well, I ran it out of gas (apparently the gas gauge is off by about a quarter tank) and put BP 87 octane in as well as some Marvel Mystery Oil. It's not cured by any means, but it runs a bit better than it did.

To be continued....

87_Crown_Vic

run lower octane and it will run better. the hose you see is a vent hose from the valve covers not PCV. the PCV line connects under the upper intake. the PCV is located by firewall hidden on back of lower intake. when was last time you did a fuel filter change?

__________________

my 1986 Grand Marquis LS... Rose...

tornado_735

Well, I just got the car less than a week ago. So never. I'm wondering if there was sediment in the tank for something because the car had to have sat for a while. It smells like it for one, and two when I took it to the car wash, I was spraying all kinds of crap out of the gaps in the trim, and stuff.

It needs a general tuneup, among other things. $500, can't beat it!

And thanks for the correction about the vent hose.

To be continued...

87_Crown_Vic

i found my cars for $500 ranging down to $250... a lil work in them and they run great. i know lots about the 5.0 era Crown Vics so ask what you want...

i found me a Lincoln Mark 7 and people said i can have for $300... look up that car anyplace and they sell for $3000 to over $9000

if car sat too long, get reman calipers from parts place since after sitting tend to work for lil while but lock on you at worst times and drag. i would consider tune-up(plugs, wires, accel cap and rotor kit), belts, fuel filter, caliper, and make sure you CHANGE the transmission cable grommet/bushing to avoid burning the transmission.

the grommet is located on throttlebody next to the accelerator cable and is held in place by plastic grommet. if possible change with the brass replacement or get a new plastic one from parts store.

__________________

my 1986 Grand Marquis LS... Rose...