Sunday, May 4, 2014
How to Replace a PCV Valve in a 2000 Taurus
The PCV, or positive crankcase ventilation valve, on the 3.0-liter engine in your Ford Taurus requires attention from time to time. As the valve gets old, it will allow oil and vapors from inside the engine to leak out. The PCV system removes excess pressure and unburned gases from inside the engine, recirculating the gases through the engine to be burned and expelled out of the exhaust. This decreases the emissions from the tailpipe and allows your car to run cleaner.
Instructions
- 1
Open the hood of your Taurus and locate the PCV valve on the top of the valve cover. The PCV valve looks like an L-shaped fitting plugged into the top of the valve cover and has a large hose attached to it.
2Grasp the PCV valve and pull it straight out of the valve cover grommet. Grasp the hose on the end of the valve and separate it from the valve. Lay the hose aside for now.
3Discard the old PCV valve, then insert the end of the new valve into the end of the rubber vacuum hose that you removed from the old valve. You may need to twist it a little to get it to slide in place.
4Push the new PCV valve into the grommet on the top of the valve cover. Make sure it seats completely in the grommet so oil does not blow past it. Close the hood.
Saturday, April 19, 2014
How to Troubleshoot a Ford Taurus Alarm System
Newer Ford Taurus cars are equipped with a car alarm that protects your vehicle from getting stolen or broken into. It is a good idea to arm your car anytime it is out of your sight. However, the car alarm can cause nuisance if it goes off when its not supposed to or malfunctions. It can cause panic instead of relief. Troubleshooting and fixing the problem with the alarm may help ease any frustrations and keep you from having to get your Taurus serviced.
Instructions
- 1
Check all the car doors to ensure that they are all latched tightly. The dome light in your Taurus will usually indicate if one of the doors is open. All doors must be secured before you leave your car to keep the alarm from sounding.
2Replace the battery in your key fob. If the battery runs low, it can send unnecessary signals to your alarm system.
3Make sure there is nothing is blocking the radio waves from your remote control to your Taurus when you are using it. Remove any obstacles between you and your vehicle.
4Make sure you aim directly at the car. Some Taurus are not sensitive enough to receive signal from the car alarm remote control if you are a certain distance away.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
How to Change the Oxygen Sensor on a Ford Taurus
Depending on the year of the Ford Taurus, there may be two or more oxygen sensors present in the exhaust system. In the common 3.0-liter 6-cylinder models, there are four sensors. Read and diagnose the trouble code that set off the "check engine" light to ensure youre replacing the correct sensor.
Instructions
- 1
Drive the Taurus onto a car lift. Put on safety glasses and crawl underneath the car.
2Locate the sensor you need to replace. Two of them are screwed into each side of the Y-pipe coming off each manifold; there are two more downstream located after each catalytic converter.
3Unplug the oxygen sensor from the wire harness.
4Remove the oxygen sensor, using socket and ratchet. If necessary, heat up the pipe surrounding the oxygen sensor with a torch for easier extraction. Allow the pipe to cool down before continuing.
5Apply a light coat of anti-seize lubricating compound to the threads of the new oxygen sensor. Be caul not to get any of the compound onto the head of the sensor.
6Thread the sensor into the porthole of the exhaust pipe. Tighten with the ratchet and oxygen sensor socket.
7Plug the oxygen sensor wire back into the wiring harness.