Originally Posted By: Eric Smith
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.
Eric: Just for a SWAG why not throw 2 bottles of Techron or one entire bottle of Redline SI1 into the gas tank on both and run that out and see what happens. You may just need a real strong cleanup on the fuel system.
Cleaned the IAC a twice on both. Have ran cleaner in both also. Will try techron again but not holding my breath. It's odd on the Focus how it's okay after it warms up.
I've thought about getting a setup for the iPhone. It would be tricky to get showing the bad sensor at the right time. Humorous but didn't have a problem coming from work.. ran great in fact.
Somehow Air/Fuel in your intake manifold is being ignited, which usually happens if timing (valve or ignition) is way off (and can explode a composite plastic manifold) Could it be related to some type of catalyst light off programming? Noise in the CKP sensor?
Originally Posted By: TFB1
Bah a MAF ain't that sensitive to cleaners, some use carb cleaner(though not me)..
FALSE!
It depends on WHICH TYPE of sensor you have there are two common types. "hot wire" which is less sensitive to damaging solvents and chemicals. The other is called "hot film" and they are VERY sensitive to harsh cleaners and solvents. Using the incorrect cleaning products WILL most likely damage this sensor and render it useless.
Before you post make sure you know your subject well...... posting inaccurate information like that above could cause a "noob" to damage a very expensive part.
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Same problem? Buy gas from the same place?
This was my first thought. I have seen a whole fleet of trucks go down all in the same day due to bad fuel.
Originally Posted By: jrustles
Do you think it's VVT related?
Somehow Air/Fuel in your intake manifold is being ignited, which usually happens if timing (valve or ignition) is way off (and can explode a composite plastic manifold) Could it be related to some type of catalyst light off programming? Noise in the CKP sensor?
Not out of the range of possibilites. The CKP sensor isn't hard to replace. On a side not one of the serpentine pulleys did start to squeak about the time this started... haven't traced it yet as it also disappears when it warms up!
From what I've read it doesn't. Not saying that's correct. Even with it warmed up it still cuts out, think it depends on the temperature under the hood. I've forgotten to mention a week or two before this started I adjusted the gap on the spark plugs smaller to see if it would cure the ping it's always had. I did set the gap back to the original spec. Wondering if I burned out the coil doing that. The first cold spell after adjusting the gap is when it started.
Swapped the old coil back in. First observations no cutting out yet will test it further later. It seems to startup quicker but has a rougher idle. Tested the coil that was in there and secondaries tested to specs the primaries unless I'm doing it wrong tested 2x higher than the specs I have. Had a hard time getting those readings just as it was about settle it would jump all around and show a open for a second and start to settle again.
Swapped the MAF into the Escape no change. Couldn't be ignition on this one with the COP's.. should throw a code!
Sure would of been nice it was the same problem with both!
I'm going to say both are fixed now.. no symptoms in 2 days any how.
-Replaced the coil in Focus. Still starts quicker than with the aftermarket. Probably most of you would of caught it if I said something about the gap in the first place. Odd that it killed it or if it was just a cheap piece of junk. Runs excellent!
-On the Escape got a manual from the library and tested a bunch of sensors. One was the PSP (power steering pressure) sensor. It was going on/off quite a bit. Simple N/C switch so I bypassed it with a jumper wire. Won't up the idle up when power steering is used but don't see that as a issue.. I could be wrong. Had issue's with a leaky power steering hose a while back could be related. No PS leaks just the only leak is oil filter that came loose and dripped on the front exhaust.
Now time to treat both that I've been holding off due to the issues.. Escape new front struts and the Focus and new head with upgraded valve seats for many more paid for miles. Thanks everyone for all the suggestions.