2 cars same problem?

[wander2039]

I'm about at my end before I hand them over to the dealer tech's.

04 Escape cuts out and back fires through the intake at idle. Never has died just recovers normally at a higher idle. Replaced alot of vacuum hoses, filters and spark plugs have around 20k. It's fine at every rpm about idle and averages 20+ mpg. Temp doesn't matter.

02 Focus cuts out at idle and does the same backfire through the intake. Problem is it's much harsher and it only happens when it's warming up. At stone cold and fully warm it's fine. And warmer the days the better. Typically tap the gas pedal a few times and it's recovers. I did notice today that with the hood up and the sun shining on the maf which in turn caused it to warm up and only cut out twice. Never cuts out above idle. Everything new from coil to plugs.

What are the odds of having almost the same problem with 2 different cars, the 3rd is just dead (it's almost laughable). Could I of been over zealous in cleaning the MAF's? I did not clean the MAF's before these problems occurred just started randomly. The Escape was better for a short time after cleaning but it came back. No CEL's.. what are those darn things good for?

 

[JHZR2]

Same problem? Buy gas from the same place?

 

[The_Jeff]

Vacuum leaks? Maybe in the tube between MAF and throttle body? Spray some WD40 or an unlit propane torch around everywhere.

 

[antiqueshell]

Dirty throttle body/ passages.

Also same make so it is possible that there is a common part between them causing this.

Do you use any snake oil additives in your fuel system like MMO?

 

[oldhp]

What did you clean MAF with?

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: oldhp
What did you clean MAF with?


+1 Did you unplug and remove them before cleaning?
Did you touch the MAF element?
Did you allow them to dry completely before re-installing?
Did you use sensor safe cleaner?

 

[wander2039]

I normally use 3 or 4 different gas stations and on occasion we make a 100 mile trip south so we fill up down there also. I've cleaned the intakes of both since the issue's have started to no avail. I use MMO every other gas fill-up in the last couple months.. although the Escape's issue has been around for over a year. If it's a vacuum leak I sure couldn't find it. Used intake cleaner but couldn't find anything.

 

[wander2039]

Originally Posted By: Doog
Originally Posted By: oldhp
What did you clean MAF with?


+1 Did you unplug and remove them before cleaning?
Did you touch the MAF element?
Did you allow them to dry completely before re-installing?
Did you use sensor safe cleaner?


Yes to all of the above.. I thought they were completely dry I waited almost a hour.

 

[Doog]

Which intake cleaner? If you touched the element you may have fubared it.

 

[dishdude]

It is very easy to damage a MAF and you aren't supposed to touch the element. They make a special MAF sensor cleaner that you are supposed to use on them.

 

[wander2039]

Went ahead and got a used MAF from PNP today. I hate throwing parts in to try diagnosing problems. But it ran perfectly today since the sun was bright even though it's in the 30's. I'll have to try it tomorrow but I'm not holding my breath. Also replaced the fuel filter event though it's been around 15k. It was dark coming out of the end that should of been cleaned and I did have the filter in right (triple checked!).. probably should of waited on the MAF.

 

[wander2039]

I used a separate MAF and intake cleaner. Both are the CRC brand and I made sure to use the right one, didn't touch them with anything but the spray. If indeed it is the MAF probably didn't let the darn things dry long enough.

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: Eric Smith
I used a separate MAF and intake cleaner. Both are the CRC brand and I made sure to use the right one, didn't touch them with anything but the spray. If indeed it is the MAF probably didn't let the darn things dry long enough.


That will do it. Don't ask how I know.....

 

[wander2039]

Tell me that you killed 2 and might feel better! The interesting thing is that both the Focus and Escape have the same part numbers on the MAF.. unless the calibration is different. If indeed the Focus runs good tomorrow I'll just swap the MAF into the Escape and see what happens.

 

[TFB1]

Bah a MAF ain't that sensitive to cleaners, some use carb cleaner(though not me)... In a pinch I've cleaned one with spit and a paper towel, and immediately reinstalled... Ran for a couple years before I cleaned it again... Sold it three years ago to a friend, I know he's cleaned it once... Generally whenever it'd get lazy, I'd clean it with with alcohol and a Q-Tip(which is how I clean all mine)...

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: Eric Smith
Tell me that you killed 2 and might feel better!


LOL, I only killed one...it now resides on my "wall of shame"

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: TFB1
Bah a MAF ain't that sensitive to cleaners, some use carb cleaner(though not me)... In a pinch I've cleaned one with spit and a paper towel, and immediately reinstalled... Ran for a couple years before I cleaned it again... Sold it three years ago to a friend, I know he's cleaned it once... Generally whenever it'd get lazy, I'd clean it with with alcohol and a Q-Tip(which is how I clean all mine)...


Yeah, I was gonna use my garden hose and a greasy rag but I had already bought a can of MAF sensor cleaner.

 

[oldhp]

Dishwasher and big shot of Dawn......Doh.

MAP sensor cleaner only. Dries almost instantly. Don't touch it.

 

[TFB1]

Originally Posted By: oldhp
Dishwasher and big shot of Dawn......Doh.

MAP sensor cleaner only. Dries almost instantly. Don't touch it.


So does plain ole rubbing alcohol... No there isn't anything wrong with using the intended product, but there are other things that work just as well...

I've also washed wet projection TV circuit boards and PCMs with alcohol, no problems afterward...

 

[wander2039]

Wasn't the MAF on the Focus. Not as bad but the issue is still there. I'll swap the older MAF from the Focus in the Escape and see what happens. I'm at a loss on the Focus just going to let it die, or like last time with the temp sensor if finally started showing symptoms that could be traced.