Symptom Chart

SYMPTOM CHART

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Difficult starting	Inoperative, worn or damaged ignition system.	Refer to ENGINE IGNITION - 2.0L ZETEC , ENGINE IGNITION - 2.0L SPI , or ENGINE IGNITION - 2.3L for the procedure. REFER to INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE .
	Inoperative, worn or damaged fuel system.	Refer to FUEL TANK & LINES for the procedure. REFER to INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE .
	Inoperative, worn or damaged starting system.	Refer to STARTERS for the procedure. REFER to INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE .
	Inoperative, worn or damaged charging system/battery.	REFER to GENERATORS & REGULATORS .
	Burnt valve.	INSTALL a new valve.
	Worn piston.	For 2.0L engines, INSTALL a new piston and piston pin. For 2.3L engines, INSTALL a new short block.
	Worn piston rings.	For 2.0L engines, INSTALL new piston rings. For 2.3L engines, INSTALL a new short block.
	Worn cylinder.	For 2.0L engines, REPAIR or INSTALL a new cylinder block. For 2.3L engines, INSTALL a new short block.
	Worn or damaged head gasket.	INSTALL a new head gasket.
	Worn or damaged cooling system.	Refer to ENGINE COOLING for the procedure. REFER to INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE .
Poor idling	Vacuum leaks.	Refer to appropriate repair procedure. REFER to INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE .
	Inoperative, worn or damaged ignition system.	Refer to ENGINE IGNITION - 2.0L ZETEC , ENGINE IGNITION - 2.0L SPI , or ENGINE IGNITION - 2.3L for the procedure. REFER to INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE .
	Inoperative, worn or damaged fuel system.	Refer to FUEL TANK & LINES for the procedure. REFER to INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE .
	Worn or damaged valve tappet or lash adjuster.	INSTALL a new valve tappet or lash adjuster.
	Worn or 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.
	Worn or damaged head gasket.	INSTALL a new head gasket.
Abnormal combustion	Inoperative or damaged fuel system.	Refer to FUEL TANK & LINES for the procedure. REFER to INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE .
	Inoperative or damaged ignition system.	Refer to ENGINE IGNITION - 2.0L ZETEC , ENGINE IGNITION - 2.0L SPI , or ENGINE IGNITION - 2.3L for the procedure. REFER to INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE .
	Inoperative or damaged air intake system.	Refer to INTAKE AIR DISTRIBUTION & FILTERING for the procedure. REFER to INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE .
	Damaged valve tappet or lash adjuster.	INSTALL a new valve tappet or lash adjuster.
	Worn or 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.
	Inoperative 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.	For 2.0L engines, REPAIR or INSTALL new piston rings. For 2.3L engines, INSTALL a new short block.
	Worn piston ring groove.	For 2.0L engines, INSTALL a new piston and piston pin. For 2.3L engines, INSTALL a new short block.
	Worn piston or cylinder.	For 2.0L engines, REPAIR or INSTALL a new piston or cylinder block. For 2.3L engines, INSTALL a new short block.
Engine noise	Leaking exhaust system.	REPAIR exhaust leakage.
	Incorrect drive belt tension.	REFER to SPECIFICATIONS & DRIVE BELT ROUTING .
	Worn or damaged generator bearing.	Refer to GENERATORS & REGULATORS for the procedure.
	Worn or damaged coolant pump bearing.	REFER to ENGINE COOLING .
	Inoperative or damaged cooling system.	REFER to ENGINE COOLING .
	Inoperative or damaged fuel system.	Refer to FUEL TANK & LINES for the procedure. REFER to INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE .
	Loose timing chain/belt.	ADJUST or INSTALL a new timing chain/belt.
	Worn or damaged timing chain tensioner.	INSTALL a new timing chain tensioner.
	Excessive main bearing clearance.	For 2.0L engines, ADJUST clearance or INSTALL a new crankshaft main bearing. For 2.3L engines, INSTALL a new short block.
	Seized or heat damaged crankshaft main bearing.	For 2.0L engines, INSTALL a new crankshaft main bearing. For 2.3L engines, INSTALL a new short block. CHECK the cylinder head distortion.
	Excessive crankshaft end play.	For 2.0L engines, INSTALL a new thrust bearing or crankshaft. For 2.3L engines, INSTALL a new short block.
	Excessive connecting rod bearing clearance.	For 2.0L engines, INSTALL a new connecting rod bearing or connecting rod. For 2.3L engines, INSTALL a new short block.
	Heat damaged connecting rod bearing.	For 2.0L engines, INSTALL a new connecting rod bearing. For 2.3L engines, INSTALL a new short block.
	Worn or damaged connecting rod bushing.	For 2.0L engines, INSTALL a new connecting rod bushing. For 2.3L engines, INSTALL a new short block.
	Worn cylinder.	For 2.0L engines, REPAIR or INSTALL a new cylinder block. For 2.3L engines, INSTALL a new short block.
	Worn piston or piston pin.	For 2.0L engines, INSTALL a new piston or piston pin. For 2.3L engines, INSTALL a new short block.
	Worn or damaged piston rings.	For 2.0L engines, INSTALL new piston rings. For 2.3L engines, INSTALL a new short block.
	Bent connecting rod.	For 2.0L engines, INSTALL a new connecting rod. For 2.3L engines, INSTALL a new short block.
	Inoperative or worn 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 cylinder head.
Insufficient power	Inoperative, worn or damaged ignition system.	Refer to ENGINE IGNITION - 2.0L ZETEC , ENGINE IGNITION - 2.0L SPI , or ENGINE IGNITION - 2.3L for the procedure. REFER to INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE .
	Inoperative, worn or damaged fuel system.	Refer to FUEL TANK & LINES for the procedure. REFER to INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE .
	Inoperative, worn or damaged air intake system.	Refer to INTAKE AIR DISTRIBUTION & FILTERING for the procedure. REFER to INTRODUCTION - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE .
	Damaged or plugged exhaust system.	INSPECT exhaust system.
	Incorrect tire size.	REFER to WHEELS AND TIRES .
	Dragging brakes.	REFER to BRAKE SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Slipping transmission.	Refer to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION for the procedure.
	Worn or damaged valve tappet or lash adjuster.	INSTALL a new valve tappet or lash adjuster.
	Worn or 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.
	Seized valve stem.	INSTALL a new valve.
	Weak or broken valve spring.	INSTALL a new valve spring.
	Worn or damaged cam.	INSTALL a new camshaft.
	Worn or 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).	For 2.0L engines, REPAIR or INSTALL a new piston ring(s). For 2.3L engines, INSTALL a new short block.
	Worn or damaged piston.	For 2.0L engines, INSTALL a new piston and piston pin. For 2.3L engines, INSTALL a new short block.