Symptom Chart

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Mercury Montego, 2005 Ford Freestyle, and 2005 Ford Five Hundred. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

SYMPTOM

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Difficult starting	Inoperative or damaged ignition system Air or vacuum leak Inoperative or damaged fuel system Inoperative or damaged starting system	Refer to the appropriate engine article for the procedure. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE article .
	Damaged charging system/battery	REFER to CHARGING SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Burnt valve	INSTALL a new cylinder head.
	Worn piston Worn piston rings Worn cylinder	INSTALL a new short block.
	Damaged head gasket	INSTALL a new cylinder head gasket.
	Inoperative or damaged cooling system (fail-safe cooling invoked)	Refer to the appropriate engine article for the procedure. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE article .
Poor idling	Vacuum leaks Inoperative or damaged exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system	Refer to the appropriate engine article for the procedure. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE article .
	Inoperative or damaged ignition system	Refer to the appropriate engine article for the procedure.
	Inoperative or damaged cooling system (fail-safe cooling invoked) Inoperative or damaged fuel system	Refer to the appropriate engine article for the procedure. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE article .
	Incorrect valve clearance	ADJUST valve clearance. Refer to the appropriate engine article for the procedure.
	Incorrect valve-to-valve seat contact	INSTALL a new cylinder head.
	Damaged head gasket	INSTALL a new cylinder head gasket.
Abnormal combustion	Inoperative or damaged fuel system Air or vacuum leaks EGR system fault Inoperative or damaged cooling system (fail-safe cooling invoked) Inoperative or damaged ignition system	Refer to the appropriate engine article for the procedure. REFER to INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE .
	Burnt or sticking valve	INSTALL a new cylinder head.
	Weak or broken valve spring	INSTALL a new valve spring.
	Carbon accumulation in combustion chamber	ELIMINATE carbon buildup
Excessive oil consumption	Leaking oil	REPAIR oil leakage.
	Inoperative PCV system	REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary.
	Incorrect oil	CHANGE oil to correct specification.
	Worn valve stem seal	INSTALL a new valve stem seal.
	Worn valve stem or valve guide	INSTALL a new cylinder head.
	Sticking piston rings Worn piston ring groove Worn piston or cylinder	INSTALL a new short block.
Engine noise	Leaking exhaust system	REPAIR exhaust leakage.
	Incorrect drive belt tension	Refer to the appropriate engine article for the procedure.
	Worn generator bearing	Refer to GENERATOR AND REGULATOR for the procedure.
	Worn or damaged coolant pump bearing Inoperative or damaged cooling system	REFER to ENGINE COOLING .
	Inoperative or damaged fuel system Ignition system knock (spark knock) Inoperative or damaged EGR system Air leaks	Refer to the appropriate engine article for the procedure. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE article .
	Loose timing chain	INSTALL a new timing chain.
	Damaged timing chain tensioner	INSTALL a new timing chain tensioner.
	Excessive main bearing clearance Seized or heat damaged crankshaft main bearing Excessive crankshaft end play Excessive connecting rod bearing clearance Heat damaged connecting rod bearing Damaged connecting rod bushing Worn cylinder Worn piston or piston pin Damaged piston rings Bent connecting rod	INSTALL a new short block.
	Worn or damaged valve tappet	INSTALL a new valve tappet.
	Excessive valve tappet clearance	ADJUST clearance or INSTALL a new valve tappet.
	Broken valve spring	INSTALL a new valve spring.
	Excessive valve guide clearance	INSTALL a new cylinder head assembly.
Insufficient power	Inoperative or damaged ignition system Air intake system blockage Lubrication system blockage Electronic throttle control (ETC) system concerns	Refer to the appropriate engine article for the procedure. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE article .
	Inoperative or damaged fuel system	Refer to the appropriate engine article for the procedure. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE article .
	Plugged or damaged fuel filter Oil level too high	INSTALL a new fuel filter. REFER to FUEL TANK & LINES . DRAIN oil to correct level.
	Incorrect engine oil	INSTALL correct specification engine oil.
	Excessive accessory drive belt loading Inoperative or damaged cooling system (fail-safe cooling invoked)	Refer to the appropriate engine article for the procedure. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE article .
	Damaged or plugged exhaust system	INSPECT exhaust system.
	Incorrect tire size	REFER to SUSPENSION SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Dragging brakes	REFER to BRAKE SYSTEM-GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Slipping transmission	Refer to the appropriate transmission article for the procedure.
	Incorrect valve clearance	ADJUST valve clearance. Refer to the appropriate engine article for the procedure.
	Worn or damaged valve tappet	INSTALL a new valve tappet.
	Damaged valve tappet guide Compression leakage at valve seat Seized valve stem	INSTALL a new cylinder head assembly.
	Weak or broken valve spring	INSTALL a new valve spring.
	Worn or damaged cam	INSTALL a new camshaft.
	Damaged head gasket	INSTALL a new head gasket.
	Cracked or distorted cylinder head	INSTALL a new cylinder head assembly.
	Damaged, worn or sticking piston ring(s) Worn or damaged piston	INSTALL a new short block.