Today i took the 'tour to my friend's dad's auto repair shop. He plugged the computer in and it wasn't getting a reading from the o2 sensor. Found out later that the o2 was simply unplugged, plugged it in. He also cleaned my throttle body and said that should fix the idle problem. Well after driving it, the idle problem is even more present. I can count on it to stall almost every stop. I've gotten it back from ford before and the same thing happened, but they had gone in and looked at the intake manifold. They replaced a cam sensor and it was running much better. I'm not exactly sure if something happened like that. What do you guys think? I reeally want to fix this problem for good.

Scan (free at Autozone and Advance) and post the CEL codes.

will do. i've was told before from ford that there was a vacuum leak coming from the LIM or heads. Told my friend that and said he didn't think so based on a simple "water test" that was performed in front of me. Was this test adequate inspection for that problem? Ford had told me that i was gonna need new heads or intake manifold depending on what it was... but then again... ford didn't put on the o2 sensor. What do you guys think?

Can you describe this "water test"? If the headgasket is leaking, then we have an el cheapo headgasket test to confirm. If the UIM/LIM gasket is leaking, then try changing the UIM/LIM gasket. Check out our Duratec Maintenance FAQ.
Duratec Maintenance FAQ


Do the el cheapo headgasket test.

Fill coolant to the brim on recovery tank (leave cap off). Remove all spark plug wires. Remove all but one spark plug and have someone crank the engine. If the coolant bubbles over, there is leak from that portion of the engine (or cylinder). If not, go to the next cylinder, and then the next.... Note, it could be more than one area or more than one cylinder.

the water test looked like he poured water on my engine and watched for ... steam... (i'm guessing). Seemed too quick for comfort at the time. the uim/lim gaskets have been changed numerous times. Ford said the manifold may infact be warped, but was unable to confirm that. I'll check out the headgasket test. what do u think of the water test?

Originally posted by NiggShevik:

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the water test looked like he poured water on my engine and watched for ... steam... (i'm guessing). Seemed too quick for comfort at the time. the uim/lim gaskets have been changed numerous times. Ford said the manifold may infact be warped, but was unable to confirm that. I'll check out the headgasket test. what do u think of the water test?

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Don't let your "friend" go near your car again. If the manifold was not warped to begin with, it might have warped due to the water being poured on it.