2000 Ford Contour fuel? O2 sensor???

cateye_112 · 09-09-2009, 01:09 PM

I have a 2000 Ford Contour SE 4-cyl. with approximately 110k miles. For the past two years, I have been having trouble with some sort of fuel issue or so I think. I could only use certain kinds of gas and if I got below 1/4 of a tank, my car would stall as if it were out of gas. No codes would come up. Fill tank and it would be fine. Recently, my car started idling very roughly, as if it were going to die. Then it wouldn't start (replaced starter). Went to drive it the next day and the battery was dead (replaced battery because it wouldn't hold charge). Then a week later, my check engine light came on. Checked for vacuum leaks, changed the spark plugs and there was oil on them. My husband cleaned the oil out and put new plugs and new fuel filter in car. Changed air filter and half of it was black (oil?). Finally shows a code of P0171 which the auto parts store said could be numerous things. My book says oxygen sensor. I am low on funds but need to fix my car...any suggestions?

G O R T · 09-10-2009, 06:32 AM

The fuel issue is usually due to a clogged "sock" filter in the gas tank on the bottom of the fuel pump. Just keep it full for now.

Oil on the upper plug insulators is due to degraded O-rings under the valve cover.
Oil on the plug gap end is usually due to oil consumption from wear or a problem in the PCV system.

P0171 can indeed be due to many things. Condition of the O2 sensor is difficult to judge without equipment. I suggest that you buy a can of electrical contact cleaner and clean the MAF element first. Check the intake plenum for crankcase oil and if present, replace the PCV valve and check that the PCV system pulls down properly. If engine blowby continues to put oil in the intake plenum get a compression test.

cateye_112 · 09-11-2009, 05:24 AM

So G O R T, is the "sock" filter hard to replace or expensive? Thanks for your help. We are going to try your suggestions this weekend. I will keep you updated.

G O R T · 09-11-2009, 07:30 AM

In earlier models you could access the fuel pump through a covered hole under the rear seat.

Lucky you, however will either have to drop the gas tank and drag it from under the car, or cut the new and improved hole bigger (and cover it up when you're done) to gain access.

cateye_112 · 09-11-2009, 07:38 AM

Nice! I am just a lucky girl like that I guess. I shouldn't complain though. I have had the car for nearly 6 years and have not put more than $600 for repairs...aside from the normal maintenance (oil changes, etc.) And it is paid off...yeah!! Hopefully we can fix all of the problem ourselves to keep that down. Thanks a bunch for your help.

G O R T · 09-12-2009, 01:40 AM

Well, save up, you'll be needing a timing belt soon enough.

cateye_112 · 09-13-2009, 05:24 PM

Hmmm...why is that? What indicates that? Meaning what should I look for? How much should I expect to spend? I looked it up a little and saw that it was a pain to fix that on my car and should take to a mechanic.

G O R T · 09-14-2009, 05:29 AM

Belts wear out. I believe the suggested timing belt replacement interval is now 90,000 miles.

Symptoms are that it runs a little worse for some time and then quits completely.

cateye_112 · 09-14-2009, 05:40 AM

I see. Thanks for the heads up. My husband cleaned the MAF sensor, replaced the PCV valve and found a hose that was connected to that area and had split. He replaced that as well. He said that the check engine light is no longer on and no rough idle. I will see in a bit for myself. Thanks for your help.