97 Ford Tarus SHO runs on 6 cylidners???

[POLOLOUS]

Hi, my car runs on 6 out of 8 cylinders I think, thats what it sounds/feels like. It doesn't go more than 20 mph. If I reset the pcm will it fix the problem or at least allow me to get it somewhere?

Anything else I can do to fix it myself. I'm just looking for the cheapest way out, low on $$.

 

[NiNeTy Fo SHO]

Sounds like a bad coil pack...never have owned a Gen 3 before though...

 

[nothingtoseehere]

Has it thrown a code? Does it feel like a miss at low RPMs but smooth out at higher RPMs?

 

[POLOLOUS]

It has the check engine light, I'd need to tow it or something to get it to a shop. If its a coil pack I can do that or what not. Could it be anything else?

 

[nothingtoseehere]

If you can limp it to autozone, they'll read the codes for free. Or you can buy a code reader for like 40 bucks

 

[POLOLOUS]

Do they sell it? or like advance does too?

 

[nothingtoseehere]

Both of them should sell a simple OBDII reader. You MAY be able to get one of them to do a lend a tool deal with it. I know I am able to depending on who is working at my local a-zone.

Seeing as you are from RI, have your cams been welded yet? May want to head up to NESHO when you can.

 

[POLOLOUS]

Why would I weld the cams? I've heard of welding differentials but never cams???

 

[nothingtoseehere]

Ah yes, check out V8SHo.com. The cam sprockets have a tendency to "walk" therefore, causing the pistons to contact the valves, in essence destroying the engine. We have been welding them to prevent this for quite some time as the failure is due to a design flaw and Ford refuses to acknowledge it. Check out V8SHO, some good info on there about it. And lucky for you the top cam welder/v8 SHO mechanic in the country is in your backyard in Spencer, MA.

Not a matter of if they will fail, just a matter of when; and Ford does not have these engines any longer.

 

[POLOLOUS]

Thanks, I just acting read up on that quick on some old threads. So I can definately rule out the cams I would assume? Anyways I'll go get a OBDII reader and post the code. I should be able to find the code online too.

 

[NebraskaSHO]

You can rule out the cams when you inspect them and see their still in place.

You've probably got more than one coil pack out. My car ran rough when one finally gave out and threw a code.

 

[midnightauto]

only 20 mph? my bet is spun cam.

 

[tardboy21]

yeah, probably the cam. Even if two cylinders were down, it would go faster than 20mph. I used to have a van with a 302 and 3 cylinders were down, didn't even really notice, it was a van so we knew it was slow. gas mileage was horrible.

 

[warmonger]

rule out the cam? only under two circustances...1)welded or pinned 2)their spun...in which case rule out the engine as well..you MIGHT want to do some reading on them..their not something to take lightly...

 

[me6894]

correct me if im wrong, but if it was the cam, whether the intake or exhaust cam on either head, 4 cylinders would not run

this engine is an interference engine, so whichever cam spun, those valves would hit the pistons either destroying them or locking up the engine

 

[midnightauto]

correct me if im wrong, but if it was the cam, whether the intake or exhaust cam on either head, 4 cylinders would not run

this engine is an interference engine, so whichever cam spun, those valves would hit the pistons either destroying them or locking up the engine

Take a look at the pic's of my project 99 TR it ran pretty good with 8 bent intake valves

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2556346

 

[NebraskaSHO]

Those are great (but still upsetting) pics of a cam failure

 

[stephen newberg]

It is quite possible that even with a spun cam the engine might run on all 8 cylinders, for a while, anyway. Though not long. It is certainly possible that it could limp along on 6 for a bit as it works its way down to 4, or even none, if the sprocket then spins on the other cam.

pax, smn

 

[NebraskaSHO]

I unplugged all the front coil packs and the car can still run on 4 cylinders. Just an idea to ponder...

 

[SHODWN]

Even with 4cyls off line the car will run and be "somewhat" driveable. I recent cam failure out in Illinois was driven about 20 miles at excess of 50mph. I know because I was following him in my rental:laugh_ti: . This car had already been welded but the exhaust cam broke loose and bent all 8 valves, this is why the car ran so well for having a failed cam. the intake was still spinning allowing fuel into the engine and the exhaust valves were stuck partially open. Rear head...

Now if your problem goes away with resetting the keep alive memory (kam) then it is a coil that has gone south and backfireing back through the harness.

The 20mph thing has got me wondering, could be a bad coil and a plugged Y pipe. or a spun front intake cam. is it making noise? Like a card in the spokes sound?

Also see my website for all the information you will need about all of this.

www.nesho.com or you can call me 508-963-5899