2001 Ford Mustang idle rough, eval code

SEANHSOCCER9

MEMBER
2001 FORD MUSTANG
3.8L
6 CYL
RWD
MANUAL
78,000 MILES

My car is idling rough and when I was driving just randomly started to bog and seem to misfire. More gas and it smoothed completely out. Theres a smell of gas or something. Had plugs, wires and coil pack all replaced only a few months ago. Was actually driving home from getting my codes read and an eval code keeps coming up and has for a few weeks. Everything was driving completely fine until today.

Unrelated, my radiator fan hasn't been coming on. The fan is fine, I tested it. I replaced the fuse in the fuse box. Is it the wiring? Harness? I didn't see corrosion.

8 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

You know, it could be several things. What trouble code did you get when the computer was scanned? As far as the fan, it could be the coolant temp sensor (which could also cause the engine to run too rich) or even a relay.

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Wednesday, April 9th, 2014 AT 5:28 AM

SEANHSOCCER9

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When I had it checked yesterday it was a evap code p045 or something like that for a very small leak in the system. It's been popping up every few weeks. I'm thinking it's probably just the cap but I can't be certain. Today I'm gonna have the codes read again to see what codes are coming up. I'm thinking maybe the p042 code for cats will pop up or a single plug misfire. I cleaned the IAC valve this morning and ran some seafoam into the car to see if it's any better. Doesn't seem like it so far. I inspected the coil pack and everything looks good.

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Wednesday, April 9th, 2014 AT 7:02 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

AS far as the small EVAP leak, you will need to have the system fogged. Basically, fog is forced through the EVAP system and where there is a leak, the fog will escape. That way you can see where it is coming from.

You mentioned a code for the catalytic converter. Have you checked to see if that is plugged or plugging? Have you checked things like fuel pump pressure and for a tune up?

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Wednesday, April 9th, 2014 AT 8:16 AM

SEANHSOCCER9

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4 POSTS

So I drove to advanced and was misfiring the whole way. Definitely seems like a plug, wire or cool pack problem. Code read for 4th cylinder misfiring. I'm taking it to ford on Friday so they can check if they installed a faulty coil pack. If not I'm gonna test the plug and if it's not that it must be the wires so I'll buy new ones. Evap, I'm gonna replace the gas cap and see if that settles that code when I'm at ford. With as much as it is misfiring, it seems like it must be the coil pack. No cat code, just the evap and cylinder misfire code.

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Wednesday, April 9th, 2014 AT 9:25 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

As far as the fuel cap, chances are it is fine. Usually a loose or bad cap will cause a "Large Leak." As far as smelling gas, you may have a stuck injector or a bad fuel pressure regulator causing the poor running conditions. Even a coolant temp sensor can cause the engine to run too rich and cause problems.

Let me know what more you find on the codes so I can better help you.