HELP!!! PLEASE READ

[Jesse]

A couple days ago, i was driving down the road in my 91 sho. All of a sudden it felt like i was losing engine power, i gave it gas but it still lost power. When i tried to restart it, it makes a loud noise when it tries to turn over. I had to pull it home, i tried pull starting it, it turned over but sounded a little loud, does anyone know what is going on? I know when it died that the oil light wasnt on, and i saw no smoke. ( sounded like it was idoling high.) Please respond

 

[93nighthawk]

Try pulling codes, that would help (see www.shotimes.com ) Also did you have anything heavy and loose in the trunk? There is an emergency shutoff button on the drivers side of the trunk that easily pops when struck. Otherwise it could be the fuel pump, but without codes it is tuff to be sure.

Eric

 

[projectSHO89]

Think about that 'loud sound' you described when you tried to start the engine for a second. Did it sound like a backfire?

If so, you have likely lost your CID (cam position) sensor.

When the CID fails, the system randomly picks one of three possible cam timings to see if it can start the engine. Two out of three possibiliites will result in backfiring, misfiring, and other maladies.

Go ahead and pull the codes, that way you will see what the computer thinks is wrong. The CID is a cheap (30 bucks at AutoZone) and not too difficult (3 out of 10) repair.

Steve
89

 

[sdpatt]

This doesn't sound like an electrical engine control system problem because the power loss was gradual rather than abrupt. The loud noise is problably very indicative of the problem, but we can't hear it. When it cranks, does it spin at the normal rpm or does it struggle? If it is spinning with much effort, you may want to have the engine checked for seized bearings. If it is spinning normally, you could check for adequate fuel pressure or exhaust system restrictions.

 

[Jesse]

It struggles to turn over, almost as if it were blown, but it should not be it was full on oil, and all other fluids. No nocking, or problems. i know day before the oil had to be filled up alot, seems like it was drinking alot of oil before she broke down.

 

[Jesse]

i finally got it to turn over and start, it runs loud so i turned it off. I had to charge the battery to get it to start. So does anyone know what is wrong?

 

[HopefulSHO]

It runs 'loud'?

 

[projectSHO89]

jesse,

Sorry, dude, but your descriptions of the problems are not at all helpful in trying to offer suggestions.

You must be specific. Give examples that are common to everyday life or that car guys (or gals) would be familiar with.

Did I mention to give SPECIFIC information/descriptions?

steve
89

 

[stevetatro]

Maybe post what part of Ohio you're from and someone nearby will offer some help?

It's either that or get it towed to a mechanic who will abuse you!!

 

[Jesse]

im close to marysville, my brother came over yesterday and he is a mechanic, and he said it sounds like a piston might have broke lose and took out a valve, im thinking of taking it in to ford, but im afraid its going to cost me an arm and a leg. I checked all the belts and they seem perfect. If the piston hit the valve the car is a gonner right? I have another question, i have a friend that roled his sho, and it has a v8 that is still good. Is there anyway to fit that beast in my car? I know it doesnt have the pick up my v8 sho had, but im open to suggestions

 

[Tom M]

If your SHO is a V8 then you may have experienced the infamous cam sprocket failure. If so the cheapest fix will probably be throwing in a salvaged motor.

Your buddies motor might need work his car ended up on it's roof with the motor still running after he rolled it. Once upside down the oilpump runs dry then the main and rod bearings get wrecked.

 

[SW SHO]

You have a 90 right. The V8 won't work. Since your friend is a mechanic, take the runners and head off and see just what damange (if any) is in there. You're better off knowing BEFORE you take it the any Ford Dealer or unknown mechanic if you have to.

Sorry to hear about your problems... frown

 

[Slo-Sho]

Even simpler....drop the oil pan/ windage tray. Just be prepared for any bad news.

 

[Jesse]

no mine is a 91 sho, not a 90. I found a v6 that is out of a 95 sho will it work in my 91

 

[SolidState]

if it is an MTX (manual), it has the 3.0L and will work.

if it is an ATX (automatic), it has the 3.2L, and won't work.

cheers beer

 

[jonysho]

I think I might know what you're talking about. Does the engine sound like its spitting out air. It is very loud. Mine did this one time while I was working on it. Turns out it was low on water and was running very hot. The engine started making this Very loud sort of paw paw paw sound. It sounded like it was come from the exhaust but turns out it was from one of the cooling lines. There was some sort of pop off valve that opened up I guess to relieve heat and pressure. It scared the crap out of me. I thought my engine was about to go to pieces. But I found where it was coming from.

When you are looking at your engine from the front of the car on the lower left hand side of the engine is a metal cooling line of some sort. See if the sound is coming from there.

All I had to do was put more water in it. Started it up and it hasn't done it since. That was about 6 months ago. Hope this was of any help. thumbs_u

 

[Mike Kopstain]

SolidState:
if it is an MTX (manual), it has the 3.0L and will work.

if it is an ATX (automatic), it has the 3.2L, and won't work.

cheers beer

Oh bubba, 3.2 will work and be ALOT more fun.

Have you checked your timing. There is a good chance your timing belt may have jumped, especially if it backfiring... Sounds kind of like farting in a bathtub. Sorry folks it's the only thing I can compare that noise to.

 

[Jesse]

if the timeing belt jumped would it have still been able to start and run for a bit. also if i get the 95 sho engine will all the electrical crap match up? And will i have more power?

 

[Jesse]

Johnysho about the noise cause of the water lines, did it make your car die when it was having these problems? I did notice my fluid is almost gone in my tank. The car has set and cooled for weeks and i still get the same noise and it dies. Im not going too start it again untill i know if that is the problem. Dont wanna hurt the block if it isnt already

 

[Jesse]

??