I finally got around to putting in a new DPFE, and oh how fun it was digging into the back of the motor in 90 degree heat. I wound up leaving the upper intake and surge tank on after discovering that just taking off the passenger side cowl gave me enough room to wiggle the sensor around enough to free the hoses, but they were on there VERY tight. I took off the top bolt of the passenger side rear strap before saying "to h#!! with THIS!". I didn't want to fight the EGR solenoid and the vacuum hoses trying to get the driver's side. Plus, I left the driver side lower cowl on (took off the top part).
(BTW, is it necessary to remove the wiper motor and assembly to get that cowling off? I do need to replace the motor, as the variable wiper delay is toast.)
Something that I'm concerned with though, is how the new DPFE apparently factored in some Ford improvements (TSBs?) relating to the position of the hose *******. The original had them positioned front and back to the car (longitudinal) and the new one (BWD) has them aligned across the car (transverse). This wouldn't be a big deal if there were a bit more hose length to deal with, but as it is, I had to shove the sensor on the hoses facing it to the left, then rotate it back clockwise to get it to mate with the posts in the bracket. Instead of metal, the new sensor housing is plastic, so I just hope that the strain on the plastic ******* combined with the heat from the rear exhaust manifold right below it isn't a recipe for failure.
Anyway, SES is still off after 21 days of driving. I hope it stays off, but more importantly, I hope to see better fuel economy soon!
EDIT 9/23: Hmmm, no comments on the new-and-improved DPFE design? Anybody? . . . <crickets.mp3>
New within the last two days is a slightly high idle in park, but normal in Neutral. I would attribute this to needing new IAC. But I also had a missed shift from 1-2 during WOT 4 days ago, which coulda been bad had I not let up on the gas before it went into red line. Tran fluid was good the next day.
(BTW, is it necessary to remove the wiper motor and assembly to get that cowling off? I do need to replace the motor, as the variable wiper delay is toast.)
Something that I'm concerned with though, is how the new DPFE apparently factored in some Ford improvements (TSBs?) relating to the position of the hose *******. The original had them positioned front and back to the car (longitudinal) and the new one (BWD) has them aligned across the car (transverse). This wouldn't be a big deal if there were a bit more hose length to deal with, but as it is, I had to shove the sensor on the hoses facing it to the left, then rotate it back clockwise to get it to mate with the posts in the bracket. Instead of metal, the new sensor housing is plastic, so I just hope that the strain on the plastic ******* combined with the heat from the rear exhaust manifold right below it isn't a recipe for failure.
Anyway, SES is still off after 21 days of driving. I hope it stays off, but more importantly, I hope to see better fuel economy soon!
EDIT 9/23: Hmmm, no comments on the new-and-improved DPFE design? Anybody? . . . <crickets.mp3>
New within the last two days is a slightly high idle in park, but normal in Neutral. I would attribute this to needing new IAC. But I also had a missed shift from 1-2 during WOT 4 days ago, which coulda been bad had I not let up on the gas before it went into red line. Tran fluid was good the next day.
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