LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone: 1960-2025
Home >> Ford >> 2002 >> Mustang Base, 2D Convertible, Standard >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Engine Mechanical >> Mechanical >> Engine System-General Information >> Diagnosis And Testing >> Engine >> Symptom Chart
April 5, 2026: LEMON Manuals is launched! Read the announcement.

Symptom Chart

PROBLEM SYMPTOM

Condition Possible Sources Action
  • Difficult starting
Damaged ignition system. Refer to SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - EEC-V - GASOLINE . REFER to SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - EEC-V - GASOLINE & NGV .
Damaged fuel system. Refer to SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - EEC-V - GASOLINE . REFER to SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - EEC-V - GASOLINE & NGV .
Damaged starting system. Refer to STARTERS . REFER to SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - EEC-V - GASOLINE & NGV .
Damaged charging system/battery. REFER to GENERATORS & REGULATORS .
Burnt valve. INSTALL a new valve.
Worn piston. INSTALL a new piston.
Worn piston rings. INSTALL new piston rings.
Worn cylinder. REPAIR or INSTALL a new cylinder block.
Damaged head gasket. INSTALL a new head gasket.
Damaged cooling system. Refer to ENGINE COOLING . REFER to SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - EEC-V - GASOLINE & NGV.
  • Poor idling
Vacuum leaks. Repair as necessary.
Malfunctioning or damaged ignition system. Refer to SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - EEC-V - GASOLINE . REFER to SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - EEC-V - GASOLINE & NGV .
Malfunctioning or damaged fuel system. Refer to SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - EEC-V - GASOLINE . REFER to SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - EEC-V - GASOLINE & NGV .
Damaged valve tappet or lash adjuster. INSTALL a new valve tappet or lash adjuster.
Damaged valve tappet guide or lash adjuster. INSTALL a new valve tappet guide or valve tappet.
Incorrect valve-to-valve seat contact. REPAIR or INSTALL a new valve or valve seat.
Damaged head gasket. INSTALL a new head gasket.
  • Abnormal combustion
Malfunctioning or damaged fuel system. Refer to SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - EEC-V - GASOLINE . REFER to SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - EEC-V - GASOLINE & NGV .
Malfunctioning or damaged ignition system. Refer to SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - EEC-V - GASOLINE . REFER to SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - EEC-V - GASOLINE & NGV .
Malfunctioning or damaged air intake system. Refer to SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - EEC-V - GASOLINE . REFER to SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - EEC-V - GASOLINE & NGV .
Damaged valve tappet or lash adjuster. INSTALL a new valve tappet or lash adjuster.
Damaged valve tappet guide or valve tappet. INSTALL a new valve tappet guide or valve tappet.
Burnt or sticking valve. REPAIR or INSTALL a new valve.
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.
Malfunctioning PCV system. REPAIR or INSTALL new necessary components.
Worn valve stem seal. INSTALL a new valve stem seal.
Worn valve stem or valve guide. INSTALL a new valve and valve guide.
Sticking piston rings. REPAIR or INSTALL new piston rings.
Worn piston ring groove. INSTALL a new piston and piston pin.
Worn piston or cylinder. REPAIR or INSTALL a new piston or cylinder block.
  • Engine noise
Leaking exhaust system. REPAIR exhaust leakage.
Incorrect drive belt tension. REFER to SPECIFICATIONS & DRIVE BELT ROUTING .
Malfunctioning generator bearing. Refer to GENERATORS & REGULATORS .
Malfunctioning water pump bearing. REFER to ENGINE COOLING .
Malfunctioning or damaged cooling system. REFER to ENGINE COOLING .
Malfunctioning or damaged fuel system. Refer to SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - EEC-V - GASOLINE . REFER to SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - EEC-V - GASOLINE & NGV .
Loose timing chain/belt. ADJUST or INSTALL a new timing chain/belt.
Damaged timing chain tensioner. INSTALL a new timing chain tensioner.
Excessive main bearing clearance.
CAUTION: Remove the cylinder heads before removing the crankshaft. Failure to do so can result in engine damage.
ADJUST clearance or INSTALL a new crankshaft main bearing (6333).
Seized or heat damaged crankshaft main bearing. INSTALL a new crankshaft main bearing.
Excessive crankshaft end play. INSTALL a new thrust bearing or crankshaft (6303).
Heat damaged connecting rod bearing. INSTALL a new connecting rod bearing or connecting rod (6200).
Excessive connecting rod bearing clearance. INSTALL a new connecting rod bearing.
Damaged connecting rod bushing. INSTALL a new connecting rod bushing.
Worn cylinder. REPAIR or INSTALL a new cylinder block (6010).
Worn piston or piston pin. INSTALL a new piston or piston pin.
Damaged piston rings. INSTALL new piston rings.
Bent connecting rod. INSTALL a new connecting rod.
Malfunctioning valve tappet or lash adjuster. INSTALL a new valve tappet or lash adjuster.
Excessive valve tappet or lash adjuster clearance. ADJUST clearance or INSTALL a new valve tappet guide or valve tappet.
Broken valve spring. INSTALL a new valve spring.
Excessive valve guide clearance. ADJUST clearance or INSTALL a new valve guide (6510) or valve.
  • Insufficient power
Malfunctioning or damaged ignition system. Refer to SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - EEC-V - GASOLINE . REFER to SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - EEC-V - GASOLINE & NGV .
Malfunctioning or damaged fuel system. Refer to SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - EEC-V - GASOLINE . REFER to SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - EEC-V - GASOLINE & NGV .
Malfunctioning or damaged air intake system. Refer to SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - EEC-V - GASOLINE . REFER to SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - EEC-V - GASOLINE & NGV .
Damaged or plugged exhaust system. INSPECT exhaust system.
Incorrect tire size. Repair as necessary.
Dragging brakes. Diagnose and repair as necessary .
Slipping transmission. Refer to the appropriate TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION article.
Malfunctioning valve tappet or lash adjuster INSTALL a new valve tappet or lash adjuster.
Damaged valve tappet guide or valve tappet. INSTALL a new valve tappet guide or valve tappet.
Compression leakage at valve seat. REPAIR or INSTALL a new valve, valve seat or cylinder head (6049).
Seized valve stem. INSTALL a new valve.
Weak or broken valve spring. INSTALL a new valve spring.
Worn or damaged camshaft. INSTALL a new camshaft.
Damaged head gasket. INSTALL a new head gasket.
Cracked or distorted cylinder head. INSTALL a new cylinder head.
Damaged, worn or sticking piston ring (s). REPAIR or INSTALL a new piston ring(s).
Worn or damaged piston. INSTALL a new piston and piston pin.