Loss of Power/Acceleration and loud Popping

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freeradical

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I do not know a lot about troubleshooting and I am trying to determine what is throwing codes and causing my ls to run like garbage, all of your help is appreciated.

I know the LS has problems with Ignition coils, This is something I don't want to replace unless absolutely necessary due to removing the intake manifold. and I don't have a lot of money to throw at this problem.

I own a 2003 Lincoln Ls 3.0 V6, It has 32,000miles, The only modification on the vehicle is a ram air intake.

The vehicle was running fine after the intake install,

It is drivable, however the vehicle is beginning to periodically lose power and make a popping sound as if it were missing and then within 5 seconds resumes acceleration, though it runs as if only accessing 75% of its potential.

About a week after the intake was put on It threw a single code, I believe it was P0172 dealing with the fuel/air ratio being too lean on bank one, 2 days later I received a second code P0174 pertaining to a lean mixture on bank two.

I was afraid that the new intake screwed with my MAF (Because i'm getting codes on both banks) so I have cleaned the MAF twice, disconnected the battery and reseted the computer both times, and I notice an immediate change in response and performance, but the problem comes back.

About a week later It threw 3 more codes, P2196 and P2198 both dealing with 02 sensors stuck rich, bank 1 and 2.
Also P2106 - TAC system forced limited power. (No idea?)

My next step from what I've been researching is to check my fuel pressure at the rail, and make sure my fuel pump relay and fuses are working correctly?
Would I use an altimeter or multimeter or something like this?

I'm also planning on replacing the fuel filter for the hell of it because I believe this could also cause a similar problem?

So would I be correct in assuming that I might need a new maf, spark plugs, ignition coils, o2 sensors, timing checked, fuel filter, or fuel pump?

How can I eliminate all the guesswork and get this problem resolved cheaply? >.<

Is there a recall on the ignition coils or something? should i take it in to Lincoln and let them poke around?
 
Did you make the ram air? If I was you I would clean MAF then put car back to 100% stock and see what happens.
 
Also I heard that Gen 2 v6 guys can sneak out the cops on the bad side because the gen2 intake sits higher off valve cover then gen1(no way cops coming out without removing top intake on gen1)
 
Right on the Mark said:
Did you make the ram air? If I was you I would clean MAF then put car back to 100% stock and see what happens.
Click to expand...

that's going to be a little difficult, and I would like to keep the intake, is there any way around it or am I being selfish? lol


Right on the Mark said:
Also I heard that Gen 2 v6 guys can sneak out the cops on the bad side because the gen2 intake sits higher off valve cover then gen1(no way cops coming out without removing top intake on gen1)
Click to expand...

Before i came on i looked at the intake and actually noticed that I could at least get the first one out on that side but I couldn't imagine how i would get the spark plug, socket, extension and ratchet in that tight of a space.

I want to just go and replace the cops and spark plugs I can reach, the fuel filter, rent a fuel pressure reader from autozone to make sure it's not the fuel pump and things like this, I'm sure i'll get around to it, But is there any connection between the codes I'm throwing that will point to a specific malfunction?
 
there is a recall for cop's on your car as long as its under 100,000 miles (which you are) but i believe that if you bring it in and they find that your problem isn't associated with bad cop's then your have to pay the diagnostic fee, but if it is the cop's then they'll replace the bad ones
 
You never stated if you made the ram air kit or not. There are certain steps to find out what is causing the problem. If you have a home fabbed kit with no feedback on the kits effect on engine like an aftermarket one does. First thing you do is undo the last thing you did to car. Its common sense. Did you throw out your stock air box? If not whats the big deal here? On changing out the cops I never stated that they pulled plugs just snuck out COPS.
 
bearsfan39 said:
there is a recall for cop's on your car as long as its under 100,000 miles (which you are) but i believe that if you bring it in and they find that your problem isn't associated with bad cop's then your have to pay the diagnostic fee, but if it is the cop's then they'll replace the bad ones
Click to expand...

Only on the v8. No recall on the v6 for COP. We do have a recall on the pcv valve hose...

OP: I've been having similar problems with my 04 v6 and am preparing to replace the coils and plugs. I may also end up replacing the o2 sensors and/or cats. Not looking forward to the job but she has developed a miss under load and runs very rough at start up when it is below freezing.

Unfortunately there is no sure fire link between codes and the problems creating them. They are really just a general error report. The computer knows the error but not what is causing it :rolleyes:

Your best bet is to return it to stock and see if the problem persists. I'd like to see some pics of that "ram air" you have built.
 
I fabricated the new ram intake out of the old air box, a spectre filter, and a hose that leads behind my lower grille.

There's a lot of different ways I want to build my CAI, but I think I'm going to use a thicker plastic opposed to metal, some rubber seals, and a vent for the tube running under my grille. I want to build a nice box for it opposed to sticking it under the front of the fender/bumper somewhere, There's a lot of rain in Florida.. and I've always wanted to fabricate a small scoop in the hood above the box itself, we'll see where that goes.

I thought it might have been a leak coming from the intake somewhere causing the misfire but there's literally no way, everything is in good order. I'm thinking there's a good chance it's the MAF I'm going to be replacing, but I'm going to change the fuel filter, and check the fuel pressure anyways.

I don't think it's the cops because when they went out on my old LS the codes pointed to the specific cylinder that was problematic.

I'm really honestly at a loss, I don't really know what to do other then throw money at the problem, which is self explanatory.
 
How long in time and in miles did you drive car before putting on the CAI? And do you really think your getting that much of a gain with it?
 
If the fuel filter is stock 2003 then just a good idea to replace in general. But it won't change a thing. I have never ever seen a car not run from a bad fuel filter.
 
Right on the Mark said:
How long in time and in miles did you drive car before putting on the CAI? And do you really think your getting that much of a gain with it?
Click to expand...

It's a matter similar to why people fiddle with their thumbs, if you want my complete honesty, there's also the difference in what your engine sounds like, and the aesthetics's of it all, And i might as well add that as far as the intake is concerned, if I can get a 5hp gain from the intake, that's 5 hp, if I can get spacers on the throttle body and add another 5 hp, that's 10, and if adding something like an air intake maximizer gives an additional 5, that's a 15hp gain for some pretty simple stuff.

It's a little late to go back to stock without a trip to a junkyard 300 miles away.

Right on the Mark said:
If the fuel filter is stock 2003 then just a good idea to replace in general. But it won't change a thing. I have never ever seen a car not run from a bad fuel filter.
Click to expand...

I personally have never changed it so it's about that time and the vehicle is running, it's just misfiring a bit.

The codes I got originally were too lean on bank one and two, which i'm under the impression is either air that's unaccounted for or not enough fuel, etc.. and because i'm running too lean, it's tripping my o2 sensors.
 
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