Problem with 98 EL

[m0_ose]

My 98 EL Fairmont has recently developed a problem. It wasnt too bad at first but its getting worse...
When i start it it idles really roughly, the whole car shakes and the rev needle bounces up and down. Sometimes the car even stalls, and i have to start it up 2 or 3 times before it will keep running. However still drives like a dream, doesnt skip a beat when driving around. It stalled when i was driving around looking for a car park once as well. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Also the other day it purged a whole lot of coolant for no reason :S i have it serviced regularly and the last service was bout 4000k's ago. Any ideas??

[EFDream]

Mate, my EF did the same thing for 8 months and I changed every sensor etc. I finally fixed it by changing the Cat. It was stuffed and there was S*** flying around inside it. The crap inside was thowing my sensors etc out. Tahs my 2 cents worth. Good luck with it other than that.

[efgiar]

ISC or power steering switch.

[EB6]

Sounds to me like you blew your head gasket, the coolant goes into the cylinders and when you start your car it slowly runs the and boils the coolant out the exhaust then once its all gone it goes ok again. when you start it look for white smoke (steam) out your exhaust it would also explain where your coolant is going.

[94EDxr6]

if it is idleing too low that can make it seem rough and stall. if so it can be easily raised by turning a little bolt thingy near the throttle body. Im sure it'll explain it in the service manual

[m0_ose]

wow thanks for the fast replies. i dont think the problem with the coolant is causing the idle situation cos even after running for a long time, the car still idles roughly. the coolant is leaking out of the overflow near the cap of the coolant container, down the pipe and out.

Wat is the 'Cat' that you replaced, sorry i dont know much about cars.

Im going to see a mate of mine who is a mechanic and knows alot about fords so ill ask him to try up the idle revs a bit and see if that works. Over the phone he siad he thinks it might be the isc, so hes gonna check it out.

will let you know how i go

cheers

[m0_ose]

Turns out the MAP sensor is rooted. Unplugged it and car runs smooth as. Swapped it over into another falcon and it had the same problem as mine was having. gonna call ford sometime today when i get the chance. any idea how much these cost?

[Papa Smurf]

Moose, if you buy a Genuine Ford one it will set you back $190.00
Part number is E7DF9F479AA.

I would also check that the place where the hose goes to from the MAP sensor is ok and that there is no gunk in the manifold fitting.

[5L]

just go to a wreckers and get a map sensor

[m0_ose]

hmm thanks guys. went to the ford dealer and he wants $210 for a new one. i think i might go to the reckers...