E85Forum.com

Sinner · Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Posts: 33

I have been running E85 in my 2004 Ford Taurus FFV for about 2 months now. I am recording my experiences on my "moron blog" (http://thesins.blogspot.com).

The "Check Engine" light came on about 3 weeks into the E85 experiment. I took it to the Dealer (still under warranty) and they could not find anything wrong. They cleared the light and sent me on my way. The light popped back on (Taking it back to the dealer today) on a long trip this past weekend.

Anyone that is not "mech-impared" (as I am) have any ideas? I have trouble trusting my dealer.

specialgreen · Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2005 10:50 am Post subject:

If there was a Check Engine Light (CEL), then there should be an error code that they read out of the computer before they cleared the CEL. It would have been nice if they at-least told you what the code was before they cleared it (so that you can pass that information to another technician, if the problem reoccurs).

Sinner · Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Posts: 33

They didn't tell me the code, but they did say it was something along the lines of "Lean mixture".

Sinner · Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Posts: 33

Just returned from the dealer with more info

The codes are :
P0171 and P0174

The tech describes them as "Lean Codes"

Now, this is what BS they are feeding me:

"You need to decide what fuel you are going to run, E85 or Gas, NOT both. Run the tank down to very close to empty and fill up with the fuel of choice and then NEVER CHANGE AGAIN"

This is at direct odds with the owner's manual, Page 202:

"FFV feul tanks may contain zero to 85 percent ethanol"

I am currently on hold with the "Ford Relationship Center"... more later

hotrod · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 872 Location: Colorado

Sounds like your fuel sensor is mucked up. If you browse around the internet you will see Ford is having some issues with exactly what you are discribing.

If you look at this PDF doc, on page 4 you will see two entries that sound suspiciously like your situation.
http://www.nafa.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Education_and_Events1/Education_and_Events2/Law_Enforcement_Group_Conference/2004_LEG_Speaker_Handouts/FordProblemReportHandout.pdf

I don't have time to search more now, but I was told by another driver while I was filling up my car that his car had to replace a fuel sensor. As I recall he had a Ford Taurus.

I'll bet you there is a TSB out on it and the local Ford dealership either does not know about it or does not want to eat the cost of an expensive sensor.

Larry

Sinner · Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Posts: 33

Thanks for the tip. I have been searching, but I guess I never came up with the right combo of terms.

This DOES sound like my situation. I will proceed armed with this information, THANKS!

Further Update:

My conversation with the "Ford Relationship Center" gave me 2 pieces of information:
1. Ford confirms my understanding that 0% to 85% ethanol
2. A Ford dealer can "punt" on a warranty service if it feels like it

Ford is suggesting that I see a different dealer, a bigger one that Ford will have more leverage with. The nearest such dealer is 45 miles away.

That's a good way to treat a 15+ year customer.

specialgreen · Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 4:28 pm Post subject:

I read your story (rant) at http://thesins.blogspot.com/ ... what a hoot! Who knew that anger could be so much fun?

Sinner · Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Posts: 33

Thanks!

My schtick comes from a long line of dissapointments. That which does not kill me, serves to make me funnier.

staley52 · Joined: 17 Aug 2005 Posts: 9 Location: Washington, Iowa

this is an unfortunate and also common occurance you have a lazy tech and if its not right there they just pass it off your orignial dealer should be able to "shotgun" it under warrenty just as easy as a big dealer unless they are in trouble for other items already

MazdaRangerSTL · Joined: 17 Aug 2005 Posts: 5

There is a computer update for check engine light on 3.0FFV taurus, however it addresses the P0316 (engine misfire at startup) code, not the lean codes.

My experiece with the codes you're getting is either a vacuum leak or a dirty MASS AIR FLOW sensor. You might check the pcv valve (plastic round thing slides into a rubber grommet on the rear valve cover) and its hose to make sure it's connected and not leaking. Might also want to replace it while you're in there (less than $10).. you shouldn't need any tools.

If you don't want to mess with it, bring these ideas up to the dealership. Using E85 and gasoline from time to time should not cause this problem. I personally would find another dealer to take it to.

Good luck