Bad IAC: Also 4 engine codes. Also: tranny question. and suspension question.

Myco

Dedicated LVC Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2008
Messages
913
Reaction score
8
Location
Houston
I know i have a bad IAC. I have a 97 so it shouldn't be too hard to replace from what I hear. Also I am getting 4 codes when I have the check engine light read.

PO171
P1151
PO300
PO174

Two of the codes refer to left and right of bank 1 being lean, one refers to left of bank2 being lean. One says there is a misfire.

The car runs rough. There's no doubt of that. It gets 10mpg and needs new plugs/ boots and IAC. That's about all I can affort right now. Don't think I can pay the amount of money needed to have the 02 sensors replaced if that is the cause. Maybe I can do them myself but I seem to remember that it sometimes takes a blowtorch.

Also, I am getting the dreaded rumbling when the torque converter locks up at 28mpg (?). The tranny needs to have the fluid replaced. Checking around I've talked to a lot of shops that won't even touch the tranny when It has over 100k miles on it. I could replace the fluid myself but I'd like to have the torque converter emptied also and don't want to spend 2 hrs under the car turning the engine over to find the plug hole (if it's there on my car). It's my impression that a shop flushes your transmission under pressure. I'm thinking this might not be the best thing. There is an old myth that flushing the tranny causes the transmission to break. I DO NOT want to spend 2k on replacing the transmission. Anyway, maybe some advice on this would help and it would definately be appreciated.

Also, the engine is ticking. Don't know what that could be. Maybe it isn't anything serious like an exhaust leak but it hasn't gotten worse thank god.

And one other thing. The sway bar linkages I haven't replaced and they are absolutely horrible. Completely gone. I replaced the upper control arms and air struts with coilovers but didn't have the greenbacks to throw down for the sway bar linkages. (or are they called tie rods) [they are the bars controling the bar that connects the lower control arm to the big piece of metal connected to the upper control arm... about 6 inches long with ball joints on either end) The suspension isn't nearly what it should be like because of this but more importantly it seems to be either shimmying or vibrating at highter speeds. I'm worried this is the axle and not the suspension causing this. I just had the tires replaced (used tires), balance and alignment done. Any speculation on this?

Little background: The car is 97 Lincoln LSC. It has 160k on the car and 90k on the engine. I just bought it a couple months ago and it spend more than a month in the driveway getting a coilover, lower control arm put in. (there were complications... it wasnt down that whole time) Like I said I just bought the car. Guy told me the tranny had been flushed and oil had been changed. I know this is complete bs but that's the story anyway. (the sticker said the oil was 2k miles overdue... and that was for full synthetic)

While my join date is new I did have an account I made years ago when I had my first mark. (gen I) Glad to be aboard. Again!

-Tony
 
I would say you are getting a Vacumm leak... and the misfire I would replace the plugs and check all the COPS with a fine tooth comb.

If you can't afford Motorcraft O2's just leave whatever is in there in place.

The trans... I would drop the pan and replace the filter and just let the 4-5 quarts of new fluid mix with the old... it will help not shocking the trans

The sway bar link end... ummm.. replace them?

The vibration... wheel bearing or driveshaft would be my first two checks
 
I would say you are getting a Vacumm leak... and the misfire I would replace the plugs and check all the COPS with a fine tooth comb.

If you can't afford Motorcraft O2's just leave whatever is in there in place.

The trans... I would drop the pan and replace the filter and just let the 4-5 quarts of new fluid mix with the old... it will help not shocking the trans

The sway bar link end... um mm.. replace them?

The vibration... wheel bearing or drive shaft would be my first two checks

Stabilizer Bar Links are on Rock Auto, Moog $46.79 each. Look easy to replace.
Max at Ford has IAC new for under $70 as I just got a quote.

Use Dr Tranny after filter & fluid change. I think everyone should add Dr Tranny my trans has never shifted so smooth since adding it, that hard OD drop out is now gone since adding it. $6.99 at O'Reilleys Auto parts.
 
Check for intake manifold leaks, it's been known to happen.

ALSO.. since you are in houston, there is a shop in pasadena, a muffler shop called "LoneStar Mufflers" on southmore.

If you go down there on a SATURDAY and talk to the guys they will do your 02 sensors for DIRT CHEAP.

Dont call durning the week and ask for a "quote"..
drive over there on a saturday and talk to them "face to face".

They did the 02's on my car for 40.00 labor, I bought the sensors and they installed them..

they quoted me 40.00 before they started and when they were done I tried to give them 60.00 for their trouble and they handed one of the 20's back to me.

Again, this is a saturday ONLY deal.. the boss lets the mechanics do "side work" on saturdays..so the labor rates are dirt cheap.
 

Members online

Back
Top