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Author Topic:   Car Talk
macaroniandcheese 
Suspended Member (Idle past 3927 days)
Posts: 4258
Joined: 05-24-2004


Message 1 of 41 (422503)
09-17-2007 1:49 PM


i've been having some problems with my mom-mobile (reference to it looking tame). can anyone give me some suggestions? long sordid tale commenceth now.
i have a 2000 taurus with about 130k on it.
i acquired it from my mom a year ago and have had almost no problems with it (flat tire, and the usual). since june-ish, i keep having this problem that makes me feel like i'm going to vomit (namely because i think i might need a new transmission). when i speed up after braking, it feels like it doesn't catch and then it jumps forward. i'd say it's the 1st to 2nd transition, but it's an automatic so i have no idea).
at the same time, but potentially unrelated, i've had horrible mileage for about the same time period. i tried the e-85 for a tank and it dropped my mileage from about 25 to about 12. then once i got the ethanol cleared out after a couple tanks, it hasn't really improved much and i'm fairly certain it's still under 20. i've been getting about 250-300 instead of the 360-400 i was getting on a tank.
my dear future father in law suggested we change the spark plugs, which has probably never been done. but. i don't anticipate this actually doing much. i will report when it's been done, but anyone got anything for me?
Edited by brennakimi, : No reason given.

i'm not going to capitalize my posts, get better eyes.

Replies to this message:
 Message 2 by jar, posted 09-17-2007 1:56 PM macaroniandcheese has replied
 Message 3 by RAZD, posted 09-17-2007 2:00 PM macaroniandcheese has replied
 Message 6 by crashfrog, posted 09-17-2007 2:06 PM macaroniandcheese has replied
 Message 10 by 1.61803, posted 09-17-2007 3:00 PM macaroniandcheese has not replied
 Message 16 by kjsimons, posted 09-17-2007 4:24 PM macaroniandcheese has replied
 Message 21 by Hyroglyphx, posted 09-17-2007 5:56 PM macaroniandcheese has replied
 Message 26 by clpMINI, posted 09-18-2007 1:14 PM macaroniandcheese has replied

  
jar
Member (Idle past 393 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 2 of 41 (422506)
09-17-2007 1:56 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by macaroniandcheese
09-17-2007 1:49 PM


Transmission fluid
Have you checked the Transmission Fluid level?

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by macaroniandcheese, posted 09-17-2007 1:49 PM macaroniandcheese has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 4 by macaroniandcheese, posted 09-17-2007 2:00 PM jar has not replied

  
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1404 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 3 of 41 (422507)
09-17-2007 2:00 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by macaroniandcheese
09-17-2007 1:49 PM


when i speed up after braking, it feels like it doesn't catch and then it jumps forward. i'd say it's the 1st to 2nd transition, but it's an automatic so i have no idea).
Check your transmission fluid -- it is likely low. Watch to see if you have a leak too. You should be able to do this yourself (check the manual for where to access).
my dear future father in law suggested we change the spark plugs,
If the mileage with e-85 was really bad you may have fouled plugs as a result: this too is an easy thing to do, the biggest problem is usually not having a sparkplug socket.
Enjoy.

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This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by macaroniandcheese, posted 09-17-2007 1:49 PM macaroniandcheese has replied

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macaroniandcheese 
Suspended Member (Idle past 3927 days)
Posts: 4258
Joined: 05-24-2004


Message 4 of 41 (422508)
09-17-2007 2:00 PM
Reply to: Message 2 by jar
09-17-2007 1:56 PM


Re: Transmission fluid
i think so. i think it was fine. i could be mistaken.
maybe we looked for it in the book (this car hides things) and then didn't check it. no, maybe that was power steering, which is fine and completely unrelated. oh balls, i dunno. i'll get the boy to do it tonight.

i'm not going to capitalize my posts, get better eyes.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 2 by jar, posted 09-17-2007 1:56 PM jar has not replied

  
macaroniandcheese 
Suspended Member (Idle past 3927 days)
Posts: 4258
Joined: 05-24-2004


Message 5 of 41 (422509)
09-17-2007 2:03 PM
Reply to: Message 3 by RAZD
09-17-2007 2:00 PM


i don't have any leaks. so if it's low, it's just from use. i have a white driveway on a hill, i'd know. but. i've recently had a whole tune up. wouldn't they have refilled all my fluids and stuff? i can't even remember to brush my hair. this is why i'm marrying a boy. so my car doesn't fall apart.
*edit*
apparently if the fluid was low it would in fact turn the engine light on, which is mysteriously absent. it might still need to be changed, but it can't be low.
Edited by brennakimi, : No reason given.
Edited by brennakimi, : No reason given.

i'm not going to capitalize my posts, get better eyes.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 3 by RAZD, posted 09-17-2007 2:00 PM RAZD has not replied

  
crashfrog
Member (Idle past 1466 days)
Posts: 19762
From: Silver Spring, MD
Joined: 03-20-2003


Message 6 of 41 (422510)
09-17-2007 2:06 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by macaroniandcheese
09-17-2007 1:49 PM


i keep having this problem that makes me feel like i'm going to vomit (namely because i think i might need a new transmission). when i speed up after braking, it feels like it doesn't catch and then it jumps forward. i'd say it's the 1st to 2nd transition, but it's an automatic so i have no idea).
at the same time, but potentially unrelated, i've had horrible mileage for about the same time period. i tried the e-85 for a tank and it dropped my mileage from about 25 to about 12.
Is a 2000 Taurus a duel-fuel vehicle? If not you should never put e-85 in it, because the ethanol burns too quickly for the engine to take advantage of and ethanol, unlike gasoline, can cause galvanic corrosion of engine parts.
The only other thing I can think of is that you have a slipping clutch, but I don't know how clutches work in automatic transmissions.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by macaroniandcheese, posted 09-17-2007 1:49 PM macaroniandcheese has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 7 by macaroniandcheese, posted 09-17-2007 2:10 PM crashfrog has not replied

  
macaroniandcheese 
Suspended Member (Idle past 3927 days)
Posts: 4258
Joined: 05-24-2004


Message 7 of 41 (422511)
09-17-2007 2:10 PM
Reply to: Message 6 by crashfrog
09-17-2007 2:06 PM


it is. fancy green leaf and everything. it just still sucks.
Edited by brennakimi, : No reason given.

i'm not going to capitalize my posts, get better eyes.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 6 by crashfrog, posted 09-17-2007 2:06 PM crashfrog has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 8 by jar, posted 09-17-2007 2:29 PM macaroniandcheese has replied

  
jar
Member (Idle past 393 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 8 of 41 (422515)
09-17-2007 2:29 PM
Reply to: Message 7 by macaroniandcheese
09-17-2007 2:10 PM


need info
Which Engine does it have?

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

This message is a reply to:
 Message 7 by macaroniandcheese, posted 09-17-2007 2:10 PM macaroniandcheese has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 9 by macaroniandcheese, posted 09-17-2007 2:55 PM jar has replied

  
macaroniandcheese 
Suspended Member (Idle past 3927 days)
Posts: 4258
Joined: 05-24-2004


Message 9 of 41 (422517)
09-17-2007 2:55 PM
Reply to: Message 8 by jar
09-17-2007 2:29 PM


Re: need info
*blinks*
the one with moving parts?
SPECIFICATIONS
2000 Ford Taurus SE
Base Price $ 20,895
Price As Tested $ 23,185
Engine Type dual overhead cam, 24-valve V6
Engine Size 3.0 liters / 181 cu. in.
Horsepower 200 @ 5650 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) 200 @ 4400 rpm
Transmission 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase / Length 108.5 in. / 197.6 in.
Curb Weight 3,328 lbs.
Pounds Per Horsepower 16.6
Fuel Capacity 16 gal.
Fuel Requirement unleaded regular, 87 octane
Tires P215/60 TR16 Firestone Affinity
Brakes, front/rear vented disc / drum, antilock standard
Suspension, front/rear independent MacPherson strut /
independent quadralink
Drivetrain front engine, front-wheel drive

i'm not going to capitalize my posts, get better eyes.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 8 by jar, posted 09-17-2007 2:29 PM jar has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 11 by jar, posted 09-17-2007 3:01 PM macaroniandcheese has replied

  
1.61803
Member (Idle past 1503 days)
Posts: 2928
From: Lone Star State USA
Joined: 02-19-2004


Message 10 of 41 (422518)
09-17-2007 3:00 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by macaroniandcheese
09-17-2007 1:49 PM


I think your tranny is toast. But it could be something simple, like (hopefully) a band adjustment, low Trans fluid. Or a blocked catlytic converter can cause symptoms similar to slippin trans.
Check your transmission fluid level according to a manual. ie: set the parking brake and put it in neutral when you check it. Maybe you just need trans fluid. Good luck.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by macaroniandcheese, posted 09-17-2007 1:49 PM macaroniandcheese has not replied

  
jar
Member (Idle past 393 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 11 of 41 (422519)
09-17-2007 3:01 PM
Reply to: Message 9 by macaroniandcheese
09-17-2007 2:55 PM


Re: need info
Thanks for the caps. Much easier to read.
Okay. Checking the web there are several threads on that engine transmission. They all seem to emphasize changing transmission fluid regularly.

Aslan is not a Tame Lion

This message is a reply to:
 Message 9 by macaroniandcheese, posted 09-17-2007 2:55 PM macaroniandcheese has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 12 by macaroniandcheese, posted 09-17-2007 3:03 PM jar has not replied

  
macaroniandcheese 
Suspended Member (Idle past 3927 days)
Posts: 4258
Joined: 05-24-2004


Message 12 of 41 (422522)
09-17-2007 3:03 PM
Reply to: Message 11 by jar
09-17-2007 3:01 PM


Re: need info
it was a paste.
i'm not gonna go out of my way to uncap something. that's just silly.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 11 by jar, posted 09-17-2007 3:01 PM jar has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 13 by Rail Bird, posted 09-17-2007 3:44 PM macaroniandcheese has replied

  
Rail Bird
Junior Member (Idle past 1598 days)
Posts: 15
Joined: 06-09-2006


Message 13 of 41 (422526)
09-17-2007 3:44 PM
Reply to: Message 12 by macaroniandcheese
09-17-2007 3:03 PM


Re: need info
I had a 2004 Taurus with similar symptoms. In my case, however, there was an engine check light on. When hooked up to the diagnostic computer it gave a message saying “camshaft sensor error”. The Ford dealership was unable to diagnose the problem.
Putting too much unburned fuel through the exhaust caused the catalytic converters to plug (there are 3 on a Taurus) and Ford kept replacing catalytic converters ($600) until the warranty ran out. When the warranty ran out, I got rid of the vehicle.
Looking back, I think the camshaft error message was actually indicating a problem with the timing of fuel injection and a good mechanic could probably have figured it out. Unfortunately, dealerships don’t have good mechanics, just parts replacers.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 12 by macaroniandcheese, posted 09-17-2007 3:03 PM macaroniandcheese has replied

Replies to this message:
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macaroniandcheese 
Suspended Member (Idle past 3927 days)
Posts: 4258
Joined: 05-24-2004


Message 14 of 41 (422527)
09-17-2007 3:49 PM
Reply to: Message 13 by Rail Bird
09-17-2007 3:44 PM


Re: need info
what a pain.
i don't have any such light. it does work though, as it comes on when this one hose on the stage right side of the engine block which also dropped of my mileage. it was some collection of three letters but i've long since forgotten, since it's long since been fixed.

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Replies to this message:
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Ken 
Inactive Member


Message 15 of 41 (422528)
09-17-2007 4:09 PM
Reply to: Message 14 by macaroniandcheese
09-17-2007 3:49 PM


Re: need info
It really does sound like the transmission. Look for a handle to pull to check the fluid level somewhere close to the back of the engine compartment, probably yellow, and probably labeled ATF, or Trans., or something similar. Good luck.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 14 by macaroniandcheese, posted 09-17-2007 3:49 PM macaroniandcheese has not replied

  
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