Please help

[stealthman]

I have a 95 atx SHO. It will start and run for about 20 minutes and then die or will die if I try to give it gas. When it dies, the car won't start again for about another day and at that time it will start just fine and die after 20 minutes or gas. I've replaced the plugs and engine coolant temp sensor. I had a mechanic check out the MAF thoroughly and he found nothing. He is a Chrysler engine specialist so doesn't know Fords all that well. He also put a gauge on the fuel line and it showed 40 lbs. Before I replaced the plugs, when the car would die, the plugs were gas fouled. Since replacing them, they seem to be dry when the car dies. Can anyone help me?

 

[SuperHO]

time to tear apart the front of your engine, change your likely leaking water pump and change the crank sensor the water pump leaked all over causing a no start condition.

 

[stealthman]

Thank you SuperHO. Being a Ford and SHO novice, that sounds fair enough and will check into it this weekend.

 

[stealthman]

SuperHO - would the computer throw an error code for the crank position sensor if there is a problem?

 

[91PDXmocha]

It doesn't always throw a code .

 

[stealthman]

So, does anyone have any other suggestions on what could be wrong or is the crank position pretty much unanimous based on the problem I am having?

 

[sho'noffmtx]

time to tear apart the front of your engine, change your likely leaking water pump and change the crank sensor the water pump leaked all over causing a no start condition.

what he said

 

[stealthman]

I spoke with the mechanic I mentioned above and he said he checked the water pump and there's nothing wrong with it. He also looked at the crank position sensor and didn't "see" anything wrong with it but would check it out too. Let me give a little more history. I just bought the car last month. It was sold with no catalytic converter. Another mechanic that had been working on it said it was brought to him with a bad cat. The previous owner "thought" the prob was with the starter so he replaced it only to realize the prob was the cat. Prior to buying the car, I started it and it ran fine - just loud; I was able to give it gas and start it a couple times. I put a new Catco cat in the car and you pretty much know the rest. Thanks for your help.

 

[SuperHO]

when you attempt to crank the car, watch the tach needle. does it bounce up to 3-500rpm or does it just lay there like a roadkill possum? also, have you checked fuel pressure?

 

[stealthman]

A pressure gauge on the rail showed 40 lbs. I will check the tach this weekend. The car is at my mechanic's so it will be tomorrow. Thanks.

 

[stealthman]

When the car doesn't start, the tach does jump up to the 3-500rpm range. I started the car a little while ago and it died when I tried the accelerator. I cranked it more and the tach was working. I pulled 2 spark plugs and they were gas fouled. Any more thoughts?

 

[luigisho]

Crank sensor is the best bet. You could spend a fortune on this car if you don't try to do some of the stuff yourself. Alot of us have become backyard mechanics out of necessity. We can help but there are things that need to be eliminated to progress.

 

[sperold]

It is the waterpump and the crank sensor. Change them both.... now.

 

[digsj7]

My first thought was the same as everone elses....Coolant leaking on the CPS. Good Luck!

 

[stealthman]

So, my mechanic is working on replacing the coolant temp sensor. He told me to go ahead and replace the water pump and timing belt while he's at is. Now, I need everyone's help again. It turns out that the crank shaft needs a new gear and key for the keyway (the key was broken). I tried my local Ford dealer but they discontinued the part and it's not available anywhere through Ford. I also tried NAPA and they can't help me either. Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[luigisho]

Find a good used one. Try midnightauto or RCM. Search the forum for this issue and crank cancer. Hopefully your issue isn't too bad and can be fixed with a part swap. Make sure the new stuff is installed and the bolt is torqued to spec when the harmonic balancer is reinstalled.

 

[shospeed143]

If you go to parts for sale there is a guy that has over 20 SHO's in his junk yard I am sure he will have what you are looking for.

 

[stealthman]

Does anyone know a phone number for RCM automotive? I need to get in touch with them about my order. Thanks.

 

[zach44102]

its a common problem. water pump seal leaks on the cps. good luck on the fix

 

[Toolman]

I spoke with the mechanic I mentioned above and he said he checked the water pump and there's nothing wrong with it. He also looked at the crank position sensor and didn't "see" anything wrong with it but would check it out too.

Get a different mechanic. Unless he removed the timing covers, the belts, and the crank pulley (not something you do just to 'check' on things), he had no way of looking at the crank sensor. You need a mechanic who knows what he is talking about and one who is honest. This guy sounds like none of the above.