1994 Ford Taurus Idle Surge and Smoke

FORD TAURUS
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SUAYJR
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
1994 3.8L TAURUS. STARTS OK INITIALLY THEN IDLES HIGH AS MIL COMES ON THEN IDLES NORMAL TO LOW WHEN MIL COMES OFF. WHEN PROBLEM OCCURS. THE VEH. SPUTTERS AND DARK SMOKE ALONG W/ CARBON/RUST OUT OF EXHAUST. TRIED REPLACING THE CCRM "RELAY MODULE" BUT SAME PROBLEM. ALSO WHEN RUNNING NORMALLY "I THINK" THERE IS WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF EXHAUST. SOMETIMES CAN DRIVE A FEW MILES. PARK THEN ATTEMPT TO RESTART AND WILL GET ENGINE SURGE THEN ROUGH IDLE.
Jan 10, 2007 at 10:57 AM
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INDYUKE
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 416 POSTS
You mentioned that the MIL comes on. Are you able to scan for the fault code(s) that the MIL indicates are stored in the computer? That might give you a clue as to where the problem is coming from. Let us know.
Jan 10, 2007 at 12:29 PM
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TAURUSWHEEL
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 718 POSTS
Ouch, are you sure about the "white" smoke,, that could be bad.. give it a sniff, se if you can pick up any coolant stink in the exhaust.. if you think so, do you have a reputable repair shop nearby that could do a leakdown test?? The head gasket may be bad.... 3.8 engine is a known troublemaker,, ever replaced any motor mounts??? Why did you replace the ccrm??? Just because??? Don't waste money replacing pieces if there's no indication they're bad...
Jan 10, 2007 at 3:17 PM

Suggested Repair

Scan for stored fault codes when the MIL comes on. Check the exhaust for a coolant odor and have a leakdown test done to evaluate a possible head gasket problem. Do not replace parts such as the CCRM without test results showing they are faulty.

Conversation Summary

A 1994 Ford Taurus 3.8L starts and initially idles normally, then the MIL comes on with a high idle, sputtering, dark smoke, and carbon or rust from the exhaust. The MIL later goes off and idle drops. White smoke is also reported, and restarting after a short drive can cause surging and a rough idle. Replacing the CCRM did not help. Experts advised retrieving the stored fault codes, checking the white smoke for a coolant smell, and considering a leakdown test because a head gasket problem is possible. They also cautioned against replacing parts without evidence they are bad.

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