Symptom Chart - Engine Performance

SYMPTOM CHART - ENGINE PERFORMANCE

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	INSPECT each system for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to the appropriate service information for the procedures. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE MODELS .
	Damaged charging system/battery	REFER to CHARGING SYSTEM .
	Low oil pressure	CARRY OUT the oil pressure test.
	Burnt valve	INSPECT the valve(s) and valve seat(s) for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate service information procedures.
	Worn piston	INSPECT the piston(s) for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate service information procedures.
	Worn piston ring(s)	INSPECT the piston ring(s) for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate service information procedures.
	Worn cylinder	INSPECT the cylinder block for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate service information procedures.
	Damaged head gasket	INSPECT the cylinder head gasket(s) for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate service information procedures.
	Inoperative or damaged cooling system (if equipped, fail-safe cooling invoked)	INSPECT the cooling system for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to the ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) , or ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM articles for the appropriate procedures.
Poor idling	Vacuum leaks Inoperative or damaged EGR system	INSPECT the EGR and vacuum system for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to the appropriate service information procedures. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE MODELS .
	Inoperative or damaged ignition system	INSPECT the ignition system for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to ENGINE IGNITION SYSTEM - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate service information procedures . REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE MODELS .
	Inoperative or damaged cooling system (if equipped, fail-safe cooling invoked)	INSPECT the cooling system for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to the ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) , or ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM articles for the appropriate procedures.
	Inoperative or damaged fuel system	INSPECT the fuel system for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to FUEL TANK & FUEL LINES for the appropriate service information procedures. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE MODELS .
	Damaged hydraulic lash adjuster	INSPECT the hydraulic lash adjuster(s) for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate procedures.
	Incorrect valve-to-seat contact	INSPECT the valve(s) and cylinder head(s) for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate procedures.
	Damaged head gasket	INSPECT the cylinder head gasket(s) for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate procedures.
	Low oil pressure	CARRY OUT the oil pressure test.
Abnormal combustion	Inoperative or damaged fuel system Air or vacuum leaks EGR system fault Inoperative or damaged cooling system (if equipped, fail-safe cooling invoked) Inoperative or damaged ignition system	INSPECT each system for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to the appropriate service information for the procedures. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE MODELS .
	Malfunctioning or damaged air intake system	INSPECT the air intake system for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to INTAKE MANIFOLD for the appropriate procedure.
	Damaged hydraulic lash adjuster(s)	INSPECT the hydraulic lash adjuster(s) for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to the ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) article for the appropriate procedure.
	Burnt or sticking valve	INSPECT the valve(s) and valve seat(s) for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate service information procedures.
	Weak or broken valve spring	INSPECT the valve spring(s) for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to IN-VEHICLE REPAIR , or ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate service information procedures.
	Carbon accumulation in combustion chamber	ELIMINATE carbon buildup.
Excessive oil consumption	Leaking oil	REPAIR oil leakage.
	Malfunctioning PCV system	INSPECT the PCV system for damage. Refer to ENGINE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM for the appropriate service information procedures . REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE MODELS .
	Worn valve stem seal	INSPECT the valve(s) and valve stem seal(s) for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to IN-VEHICLE REPAIR , or ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate service information procedures.
	Worn valve stem or valve guide	INSPECT the valve(s) and cylinder head(s) for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate service information procedures.
	Sticking piston rings	INSPECT the piston(s) and cylinder block for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate service information procedures.
	Worn piston ring groove	INSPECT the piston(s) for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate service information procedures.
	Worn piston or cylinder	INSPECT the piston(s) and cylinder block for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate service information procedures.
Insufficient power	Inoperative or damaged ignition system Air intake system blockage Lubrication system blockage Inoperative or damaged fuel system	REFER to the INTRODUCTION - GASOLINE MODELS .
	Oil level too high	DRAIN oil to correct level.
	Incorrect engine oil	INSTALL correct specification engine oil.
	Low oil pressure	CARRY OUT the oil pressure test.
	Excessive accessory drive belt loading	INSPECT the accessory drive system for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to the REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION for the procedure.
	Inoperative or damaged cooling system (if equipped, fail-safe cooling invoked)	INSPECT the cooling system for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to the ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) , or ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM articles for the appropriate procedures.
	Damaged or plugged exhaust system	INSPECT the exhaust system for flow and damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to IN-VEHICLE REPAIR , and EXHAUST SYSTEM .
	Incorrect tire size	REFER to SUSPENSION SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Dragging brakes	REFER to BRAKE SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION .
	Slipping transmission	Refer to AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION - 6R80 for the appropriate procedures.
	Malfunctioning hydraulic lash adjuster	INSPECT the hydraulic lash adjuster for wear or damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate procedures.
	Compression leakage at valve seat	INSPECT the valve, valve seat and cylinder head for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate service information procedures.
	Seized valve stem	INSPECT the valve for wear or damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate service information procedures.
	Weak or broken valve spring	INSPECT the valve spring(s) for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to IN-VEHICLE REPAIR , or ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate service information procedures.
	Worn or damaged camshaft	INSPECT the camshaft for wear or damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate service information procedures.
	Damaged head gasket(s)	INSPECT the cylinder head gasket(s) for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate service information procedures.
	Cracked or distorted cylinder head(s)	INSPECT the cylinder head(s) for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate service information procedures.
	Damaged, worn or sticking piston ring(s)	INSPECT the piston ring(s) for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate service information procedures.
	Worn or damaged piston	INSPECT the piston for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate service information procedures.
Oil in coolant	Leaking head gasket	INSTALL a new head gasket. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate service information procedures.
	Leaking oil cooler	INSPECT the oil filter adapter and seal for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate service information procedures.
	Leaking oil filter adapter	INSPECT the oil filter adapter and gasket for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate service information procedures.
	Damaged cylinder head	INSPECT the engine components for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate service information procedures.
	Damaged cylinder block	INSPECT the engine components for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate service information procedures.
Coolant in oil	Leaking head gasket Leaking oil cooler Leaking oil filter adapter Damaged cylinder head Damaged cylinder block	INSPECT the engine components for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 5.4L (3V) for the appropriate service information procedures.