Frustrated

[Sunny315]

:disgust: Ok I’m just putting this out to vent about my whole car situation. Some of you already know I just got my 99 cougar last Wed. and everything was running ok on it until last weekend. My CEL light came on and my car seemed like it was hesitating to accelerate so I came on here to check out what you guys had on as some trouble shooting so that I wouldn’t get screwed at the mechanics.

Well anyway, I took it up to Midas here in St. Louis and they tell me that I need to get a serious tune up because my 2nd cylinder is back firing and I can blow the head gasket if I don’t get it soon. So I call the dealer where I bought it and they sent me to their mechanic.

That was Monday. On Monday they replace the wires give me new spark plugs and rotor caps (I think that’s what they called it). And all is well.

Until Tuesday

On my way to work on Tuesday the CEL comes on again. So I call the dealer again and they tell me to go back to their mechanic, so I do. The mechanic runs their diagnostic and finds that the (I think I have these right correct me if I’m wrong.) EGR valve and BPFE vacuum regulator needs to be replaced. So I’m like ok fix it.

Wednesday. :disgust:

I’m driving to work again and that DAMN CEL comes on again. Now I’m really frustrated. They run another diag. and tell me that it’s some carbon that they didn’t clean out when they replaced the EGR valve.

So now I’m waiting for the call to go pick up my car.

To all those that read this thanks for reading I had to get that off.

[bensenvill]

lol, sorry to hear that man... next time write down the CEL codes and post them here. CELs arent uncommon in our car even when they are running perfectly [although if you just bought the car, I would permanently hassle them about this]

[Sunny315]

Ill try to get that today, but is it common for everytime they run a diag. its something new wrong with the car? lol I mean I looove my car and I wanted one for a long time, and cant wait till im able to put some mods on it.

[sonza68]

Codes can kind of mask each other. Sometimes a single problem can trigger seemingly unrelated codes pop up. The misfire was obvious, so they fixed it first. The car needs to be driven again before the second set of codes came up. The EGR, DPFE sensor and carbon buildup would all trigger then same set of codes, so it is really only one problem. Sounds like they just replaced the EGR and DPFE, but didn't look for carbon, so the second two repairs were both fixing the same problem.

[Sunny315]

Codes can kind of mask each other. Sometimes a single problem can trigger seemingly unrelated codes pop up. The misfire was obvious, so they fixed it first. The car needs to be driven again before the second set of codes came up. The EGR, DPFE sensor and carbon buildup would all trigger then same set of codes, so it is really only one problem. Sounds like they just replaced the EGR and DPFE, but didn't look for carbon, so the second two repairs were both fixing the same problem.


Question, should this be the end of the CEL? At least for the time being? and if you dont mind explaining (since the mechanic really didnt) what is the EGR and DPFE? Or can I find that somewhere on here?


Well I just got my call and im going to pick it up tonight. Ill let yall know if my light comes on again! lol Hopefully it doesnt, and the next time its in the shop its getting some type of exterior cosmetic added to it!!:biggrin:

[sonza68]

The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system takes exhaust gas and routes it into the intake manifold. It is an emissions system that I don't really understand myself. What is referred to as the EGR is the valve that controls the amount of exhaust the system recirculates. The DPFE sensor is basically the controller for the EGR.

[slurpee]

The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system takes exhaust gas and routes it into the intake manifold. It is an emissions system that I don't really understand myself. What is referred to as the EGR is the valve that controls the amount of exhaust the system recirculates. The DPFE sensor is basically the controller for the EGR.

yeah, what he said..tom's a genius when it comes to the cars.

[Sunny315]

yeah, what he said..tom's a genius when it comes to the cars.


sonza68 sounds like I need to take you with me the next time I go to the repair shop!

[sonza68]

yeah, what he said..tom's a genius when it comes to the cars.

Not exactly, but I try my best.

[slurpee]

Not exactly, but I try my best.

you've helped me out a ton!

[Sunny315]

you've helped me out a ton!
I second that!:biggrin:

[jaged]

dont get too upset about the cel codes. those are common codes that most of us have had and they go out at will. Hell some people have motors that go out at will......

[Moraki]

I second that!:biggrin:

haha I think Toms done a tad bit more for Slurpee... like engine swap level help ;)

[Moraki]

I second that!:biggrin:

haha I think Toms done a tad bit more for Slurpee... like engine swap level help ;)

[sonza68]

You helped out with that one as well. Plus, you and Steve did that swap for Tad.

[BigBalledOX]

Not exactly, but I try my best.

Awww, you're so cute when you're all bashful and **** Tom. :rofl:

[sonza68]

Want to go karting again, Ryan?

[BigBalledOX]

Want to go karting again, Ryan?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: I'm actually cursing that track as we speak . . . my ankle is throbbing in pain today, and I know it only hurts like it does cuz of the damn go karts.

[Phantom]

You *still* have pain?! Wow, that sucks.

So since we're talking EGR, and DPFE sensor... how hard are those to replace? And how expensive may they be? I threw a CEL for that a couple months back that went away before I could fix... well, the CEL came back yesterday so I'm betting that's my issue... just pre-emptively asking the question before I go get it tested.

[BigBalledOX]

Well, its because the weather can't make up its frickin mind about what its going to do. My knees have been like that for years, whenever there's an extreme change in the weather, they would be horribly painful for a couple days, then fine after that. I'm sure the ankle is the same story.

[sonza68]

The DPFE is pretty easy. The part is about $50 through Rock Auto. It is held on with two bolts and then has two vacuum lines and an electrical connector attached to it (it's roughly below the EGR valve). The only tricky part is getting your hands in there because it's kind of tight. I've found removing the intake make access quite a bit better. I've never replaced the EGR vavle itself though.

[jaged]

the dpfe on the 01 is way easier to change, just unhook the wire and pull it off of the hoses. will the different years work interchangably?

[sonza68]

I think so, but don't know for sure.

[slurpee]

gotta watch which dpfe sensor you get though. I bought mine at ford and they first gave me one that didn't mount to the engine. The one you want probably is the more expensive one...take a look to make sure which one you need though.

[sonza68]

I'll second what Steve said. Originally I ordered one through Ford and twice they gave me the wrong one (wrong electrical connector). I ended up going to Rock Auto to get the right part.