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cold start problems

A

adam42481

CEG'er
Joined
Jun 19, 2007
Messages
61
hi,
i have a question regarding my 2.5l duratec. i have had a lot of sucess with you guys' know how. see my topic about my 97 contour. i have a new problem with my 2.5 duratec. the problems is a follows in cold weather aways when temp is below 20 degrees the car starts just fine, then it idles irregulary between 200 and 1500rpms,almost stalling out, after driving it for awhile the idle pulsating goes away but then it kind of feels like its idling rough. and when driving it seems just fine until at a dead stop and the car returns to idle. i went ahead and replaced the battery because i thought the cold weather might have got to it and then i had the alternator checked by advanced auto and it was ok. i also cleaned the mas air sensor just incase. the car doesnt have the check engine light on either. once the temperate warms up it is just fine.
1999
122100mile
auto
any ideas because i am at a loss. any ideas ?thanks!!!
 
i think i will just replace both of them since the car has so many mile. thanks for the help. i will let you know what happens
 
replaced both of them last night and it acually made the problem worst. i also broke the little green vacuum line next to the iac but fixed with a piece of tubing. so that should be ok now. any other ideas? the pulasating rpm now is more rapid and the car wont hold an idle without pressing the gas to keep up the rpms. thanks
 
Replace the intake manifold gaskets. The O-rings start cracking after 5-6 years. The UIM gasket is usually responsible because of the light bolt prssure and the small footprint. Check for other vacuum leaks too.
 
Last edited:
Tony2005 said:
Some have posted that the aftermarket IAC valves are hit or miss. A Ford IAC valve is usually the way to go...
Click to expand...

I agree on the Motorcraft parts. One thing you might do with both the original and the aftermarket IACs, is to give them a good snort of Berryman's, reinstall, and see if they wake up. Occasionally, they can get gummed up, and a little B-12 will fix that.

Also, how are your vacuum hoses to your EGR vacuum solenoid and Delta Pressure EGR (DPFE)? Leaks in there can cause issues, as could the failure of either one of those parts. I'd try to isolate vacuum issues along the firewall before trying to delve into something more complicated like the manifold itself.
 
ok, here the update. i ended up taking it to a shop that i have had very good success with because it is supposed to be around 15 degrees during the day this weekend and i dont have a a garage. the shop owner told me that the IAC wasnt working properly and that the intake manifold gasket was leaking pretty bad. i probably messed that up when i was monkeying with the IAC. he said that my patch job on the little green vacuum tube was fine. he is going to replace the intake gasket and put a quality IAC on it.
 
got the car back the other day. and now it is running like a champ. while they had the manifold off i had them replace the spark plugs, since they were original (121k). i would highly recomend that anyone who has a higher milage v6 stay off the intake manifold while installing any part. thanks for all the help. and on another note, stay away from the autozone iac valves get ford parts!! thanks again
 
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