2000 Mercury Sable car stalling

HUNTRJ83

MEMBER
2000 MERCURY SABLE
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
125,000 MILES

My sable has the 3.0 dohc engine and for the past two days it drops below 1,000 rpms when at idle and just shuts off sometimes. Do think it is the IAC valve? I put injector cleaner in the tank but still no effect. Thought it could be a clogged injector or something. I dont think it is the fuel pump as the car runs smoothely the rest of the time thru stop and go traffic, on the highway and up and down steep hills.
Question #2: same car has a whining noise on the right side of the engine towards the front that just started about three weeks ago and is there all of the time now when the engine is running. It increase when you step on the accelerator and becomes more pronounce when you turn on the a/c or heater as its putting more strain on the motor. I have replaced the water pump, alternator, power sterring pump and the serpentine belt. Can you please help me?

5 Replies

MADMIKE1735

MECHANIC
951 POSTS

IAC is mostlikely bad. As far as the noise goes, ive been there also. Replace your idler pulley. Should be around 35$ sounds like a power steering pump with air in it right? However noise doesnt change when you turn the wheel? Check into that pulley. Is the check engine light on? The IAC on those usually gets bound up with carbon, and wont idle.

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Saturday, September 4th, 2010 AT 7:25 PM

HUNTRJ83

MEMBER
3 POSTS

The check engine light is on but that is because my gas cap is bad and sends a signal to the computer. Well that is what the dealer told me. No the whining does not change when I turn the wheel. It only changes when I step on the gas and become more obnoxious sometimes when the car is setting still in gear and when the a/c or heater is on. Please help? It is on the front right hand side of the motor. Sounds as if it is coming from the timing chain area of the motor. The water pump, a/c compressor, power steering pump, and alternator are all on that side. Have replaced the water pump, alternator and power steering pump already. Could it be the timing belt or tensioner maybe? Thanks in advance

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Saturday, September 4th, 2010 AT 8:02 PM

MADMIKE1735

MECHANIC
951 POSTS

There is no timing belt on that motor. Replace your idler pulley. Should solve the problem.

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Sunday, September 5th, 2010 AT 1:26 AM

HUNTRJ83

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I know there isnt a timing belt. There is 2 timing chains. You have to pull the whole motor just to inspect them which is a 15 hour job that I dont have the resorces. The book doesnt even mention anything about an idler pulley where is it located?

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Sunday, September 5th, 2010 AT 4:39 AM

MADMIKE1735

MECHANIC
951 POSTS

Remove the belt, and check the drivebelt tensioner. I just realized you dont have an idler pulley. Your noise is most likely comming from that tensioner. Sorry for the misunderstanding.