tmarin7

Just went to the dealer for service because my check engine was blinking
when the car is idling and staying on solid when the car is moving. The car
was bought in July 2001 and has 54,000 miles on it. The car is a 24V DHOC
2001 Taurus. Here is the report from the service dept.

"Customer states check engine light on per SBDS diagnosis and servicing code
P0304. Cylinder number 4 has 65 lbs compression and should be 120 or more.
We do not recommend any plug wire, spark plug or Coil Pack work done until
the compression concern is addressed."

They then told me they would have to take apart the engine to see what is
wrong. The cost just to find out what is wrong would be $800. They
indicated I might need the engine replaced ($7,000). I have kept up with
the maintenance of the car with most of the oil changes performed at this
dealer.

Any ideas what I can do? I contacted Ford Customer Service (800) 392-3673
who then contacted the dealer. I then spoke to the dealer who told me it
would still cost $800 to determine what is wrong with the car and after they
find out they will try to contact Ford and get Ford to help pay for the cost
of repairs, but there is no guarantee that Ford will help.

Thanks in advance.

Ken

tmarin7 wrote:
> Just went to the dealer for service because my check engine was blinking
> when the car is idling and staying on solid when the car is moving. The car
> was bought in July 2001 and has 54,000 miles on it. The car is a 24V DHOC
> 2001 Taurus. Here is the report from the service dept.
>
> "Customer states check engine light on per SBDS diagnosis and servicing code
> P0304. Cylinder number 4 has 65 lbs compression and should be 120 or more.
> We do not recommend any plug wire, spark plug or Coil Pack work done until
> the compression concern is addressed."
>
> They then told me they would have to take apart the engine to see what is
> wrong. The cost just to find out what is wrong would be $800. They
> indicated I might need the engine replaced ($7,000). I have kept up with
> the maintenance of the car with most of the oil changes performed at this
> dealer.
>
> Any ideas what I can do? I contacted Ford Customer Service (800) 392-3673
> who then contacted the dealer. I then spoke to the dealer who told me it
> would still cost $800 to determine what is wrong with the car and after they
> find out they will try to contact Ford and get Ford to help pay for the cost
> of repairs, but there is no guarantee that Ford will help.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
>
I am not a mechanic, but you need to take this car to a local shop.
They should be able to determine if the valves or rings are your problem
by doing a compression check and using a little motor oil. It sounds
like they are getting ready to buy a new boat.

If you are looking for other more qualified opinions, you might go to
Car Talk: http://cartalk.com/board/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=CQ

Shoe Salesman

"tmarin7" <tmm@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:S_2dnSc48upAx0rfRVn-3A@comcast.com...
> Just went to the dealer for service because my check engine was blinking
> when the car is idling and staying on solid when the car is moving. The
> car was bought in July 2001 and has 54,000 miles on it. The car is a 24V
> DHOC 2001 Taurus. Here is the report from the service dept.
>
> "Customer states check engine light on per SBDS diagnosis and servicing
> code P0304. Cylinder number 4 has 65 lbs compression and should be 120 or
> more. We do not recommend any plug wire, spark plug or Coil Pack work done
> until the compression concern is addressed."
>
> They then told me they would have to take apart the engine to see what is
> wrong. The cost just to find out what is wrong would be $800. They
> indicated I might need the engine replaced ($7,000). I have kept up with
> the maintenance of the car with most of the oil changes performed at this
> dealer.
>
> Any ideas what I can do? I contacted Ford Customer Service (800) 392-3673
> who then contacted the dealer. I then spoke to the dealer who told me it
> would still cost $800 to determine what is wrong with the car and after
> they find out they will try to contact Ford and get Ford to help pay for
> the cost of repairs, but there is no guarantee that Ford will help.
>
> Thanks in advance.
1. Does the car idle/run rough?
2. Can you hear any obvious engine noises?

EJ

"tmarin7" <tmm@comcast.net> wrote in message > "Customer states check engine
light on per SBDS diagnosis and servicing code
> P0304. Cylinder number 4 has 65 lbs compression and should be 120 or
> more. We do not recommend any plug wire, spark plug or Coil Pack work done
> until the compression concern is addressed."
>


I would get a second opinion.
P0304 means misfire on cylinder 4

If the compression check came back with 65 lbs as you said, then they should
hve done a "wet" compression check where they pour a bit of oil into the
cylinder and check to see if it's a piston ring that is not sealing or a
hole in the piston. Once they have determined that, then really the only
other thing it could be is a bad valve. I don't know of an instancve where
the engine would need to be replaced due to low compression in one cylinder.
Take it to a reputable independent mechanic and pay him a few bucks to do
another compression test. That way you will know for sure if it is really a
problem.