Three problems
I have three problems with my 1996 Ford Scorpio Ultima 2.3. If you can help with any one I would be very grateful. The first started 12 months ago. I was on my way back from Spain with a caravan and I had stopped for the night. When I pulled away next morning, the car started OK but didn’t want to accelerate, although it wasn’t misfiring. After about 50-100 yards, it suddenly started driving normally. I thought it might be dirt in the petrol as it didn’t reoccur for about nine months. Over the past three months, it has been happening more frequently. Sometimes it might not happen for a couple of weeks, then it will happen a couple of mornings on the trot. When it happens, it is always first time I start it in the morning and never after it has been running anywhere, and it never plays up when driving.
I had the fault codes read and the only one it showed was ‘TPS out of range’. I have replaced this, and while it seems to have improved the acceleration, it has not cured the fault. I have also changed the engine coolant temperature sensor, to no avail.
The second problem is with the temperature gauge, which started about a week ago after replacing a hose. The gauge keeps fluctuating up and down from normal temperature about halfway to cold and then back up to normal. It was fine until I changed the hose. I have a new display temperature sensor on order, but could there be any other fault causing it? It always shows cold when the engine is cold and I have shorted the plug out and the gauge went straight to the top (hot-red).
The third problem occurred when I changed the sensor for the first problem. The brass insert dropped out of the plastic manifold. I have now fitted another manifold, but what can I use to stick the brass insert back into the original as the plastic is not cracked and it would make a good spare? Geoff Harris The problem you have first thing in the morning may be related to fuel pressure. If you’ve not already done so, my first move would be to fit a new fuel filter. As you have had the codes read you have hopefully eliminated one of the other common problems, which is a failing fuel pump. This would normally leave a code, as would a faulty fuel pressure regulator. However, both these items are still possible causes.
Since the temperature gauge reading problem only occurred after replacing a hose, I suspect that you have a small airlock in the system; this could alter the reading as the air moves within the water jacket. I would try to eliminate any air in the system by running the engine at fast idle with the cooling system pressure cap removed. Allow the engine to get fully up to temperature and run the engine at around 2000rpm for a short time. This should dislodge any air pockets.
Due to the possible consequences of sudden loss of coolant if the brass insert was to come away from the plastic manifold, I would not recommend trying any repair. The insert is moulded-in during production and any attempt to bond it into position might not withstand the heat and pressure produced.