Symptom Chart - Engine Performance

2007 Ford Fusion SEL, 2.3 Z, StandardSECTION Symptom Chart - Engine Performance
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Ford RV Cutaway, 2008 Ford Econoline, 2008 Ford E450 Super Duty, and 2008 Ford Cutaway. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Symptom Chart - Engine Performance

Condition Possible Sources Action
  • Difficult starting
  • Inoperative or damaged ignition system
  • Air or vacuum leak
  • Inoperative or damaged fuel system
  • Inoperative or damaged starting system
  • Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure. REFER to the appropriate Engine Performance article.
 
  • Damaged charging system/battery
 
  • Burnt valve
  • INSTALL a new valve.
 
  • Worn piston
  • INSTALL a new piston.
 
  • Worn piston rings
  • INSTALL new piston rings.
 
  • Worn cylinder
  • INSTALL a new cylinder block.
 
  • Damaged head gasket
  • INSTALL a new head gasket.
 
  • Inoperative or damaged cooling system (if equipped, fail-safe cooling invoked)
  • Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure. REFER to the appropriate Engine Performance article.
  • Poor idling
  • Vacuum leaks
  • Inoperative or damaged EGR system
  • Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure. REFER to the appropriate Engine Performance article.
 
  • Inoperative or damaged ignition system
  • Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure.
 
  • Inoperative or damaged cooling system (if equipped, fail-safe cooling invoked)
  • Inoperative or damaged fuel system
  • Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure. REFER to the appropriate Engine Performance article.
 
  • Damaged hydraulic lash adjuster
  • INSTALL a new hydraulic lash adjuster.
 
  • Incorrect valve-to-valve seat contact
  • INSTALL a new cylinder head.
 
  • Damaged head gasket
  • INSTALL a new head gasket.
  • Abnormal combustion
  • Inoperative or damaged fuel system
  • Air or vacuum leaks
  • EGR system fault
  • Inoperative or damaged cooling system (if equipped, fail-safe cooling invoked)
  • Inoperative or damaged ignition system
  • Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure. REFER to the appropriate Engine Performance article.
 
  • Malfunctioning or damaged air intake system
  • Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure. REFER to the appropriate Engine Performance article.
 
  • Damaged hydraulic lash adjuster
  • INSTALL a new hydraulic lash adjuster.
 
  • Burnt or sticking valve
  • REPAIR or INSTALL a new valve.
 
  • Weak or broken valve spring
  • INSTALL a new valve spring.
 
  • Carbon accumulation in combustion chamber
  • ELIMINATE carbon buildup.
  • Excessive oil consumption
  • Leaking oil
  • REPAIR oil leakage.
 
  • Malfunctioning PCV system
  • REPAIR or INSTALL new necessary components.
 
  • Worn valve stem seal
  • INSTALL a new valve stem seal.
 
  • Worn valve stem or valve guide
  • INSTALL a new valve and valve guide.
 
  • Sticking piston rings
  • REPAIR or INSTALL new piston rings.
 
  • Worn piston ring groove
  • INSTALL a new piston and piston pin.
 
  • Worn piston or cylinder
  • INSTALL a new piston or cylinder block.
  • Engine noise
  • Leaking exhaust system
  • REPAIR exhaust leakage.
 
  • Incorrect drive belt tension
 
  • Malfunctioning generator bearing
  • Refer to the appropriate Battery and Charging System article for the procedure.
 
  • Malfunctioning water pump bearing
 
  • Malfunctioning or damaged cooling system
 
  • Malfunctioning or damaged fuel system
  • Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure. REFER to the appropriate Engine Performance article.
 
  • Loose timing chain/belt
  • ADJUST or INSTALL a new timing chain/belt.
 
  • Damaged timing chain tensioner
  • INSTALL a new timing chain tensioner.
 
  • Excessive main bearing clearance
    NOTE: Remove the cylinder heads before removing the crankshaft. Failure to do so can result in engine damage.
  • INSTALL a new crankshaft main bearing.
 
  • Seized or heat damaged crankshaft main bearing
  • INSTALL a new crankshaft main bearing.
 
  • Excessive crankshaft end play
  • INSTALL a new thrust bearing or crankshaft.
 
  • Excessive connecting rod bearing clearance
  • INSTALL a new connecting rod bearing or connecting rod.
 
  • Heat damaged connecting rod bearing
  • INSTALL a new connecting rod bearing.
 
  • Damaged connecting rod bushing
  • INSTALL a new connecting rod bushing.
 
  • Worn cylinder
  • REPAIR or INSTALL a new cylinder block.
 
  • Worn piston or piston pin
  • INSTALL a new piston or piston pin.
 
  • Damaged piston rings
  • INSTALL new piston rings.
 
  • Bent connecting rod
  • INSTALL a new connecting rod.
 
  • Malfunctioning hydraulic lash adjuster
  • INSTALL a new hydraulic lash adjuster.
 
  • Broken valve spring
  • INSTALL a new valve spring.
 
  • Excessive valve guide clearance
  • ADJUST clearance or INSTALL a new valve guide or valve.
  • Insufficient power
  • Inoperative or damaged ignition system
  • Air intake system blockage
  • Lubrication system blockage
  • Inoperative or damaged fuel system
  • Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure. REFER to the appropriate Engine Performance article.
 
  • Oil level too high
  • DRAIN oil to correct level.
 
  • Incorrect engine oil
  • INSTALL correct specification engine oil.
 
  • Excessive accessory drive belt loading
  • Inoperative or damaged cooling system (if equipped, fail-safe cooling invoked)
  • Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure. REFER to the appropriate Engine Performance article.
 
  • Damaged or plugged exhaust system
  • INSPECT exhaust system.
 
  • Incorrect tire size
 
  • Dragging brakes
 
  • Slipping transmission
  • Refer to the appropriate Automatic Transmission article for the procedure.
 
  • Malfunctioning hydraulic lash adjuster
  • INSTALL a new hydraulic lash adjuster.
 
  • Compression leakage at valve seat
  • REPAIR or INSTALL a new valve, valve seat or cylinder head.
 
  • Seized valve stem
  • INSTALL a new valve.
 
  • Weak or broken valve spring
  • INSTALL a new valve spring.
 
  • Worn or damaged camshaft
  • INSTALL a new camshaft.
 
  • Damaged head gasket
  • INSTALL a new head gasket.
 
  • Cracked or distorted cylinder head
  • INSTALL a new cylinder head.
 
  • Damaged, worn or sticking piston ring(s)
  • REPAIR or INSTALL a new piston ring(s).
 
  • Worn or damaged piston
  • INSTALL a new piston and piston pin.
  • Oil in coolant
  • Leaking head gasket
  • INSTALL a new head gasket. Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure.
 
  • Leaking oil cooler
  • INSTALL a new oil cooler. Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure.
 
  • Leaking oil filter adapter
  • INSTALL a new oil filter adapter. Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure.
 
  • Damaged cylinder head
  • INSPECT the engine components for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure.
 
  • Damaged cylinder block
  • INSPECT the engine components for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure.
  • Coolant in oil
  • Leaking head gasket
  • Leaking oil cooler
  • Leaking oil filter adapter
  • Damaged cylinder head
  • Damaged cylinder block
  • INSPECT the engine components for damage. INSTALL new components as necessary. Refer to the appropriate Engine article for the procedure.
RENDER: 1.0x

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When to See a Mechanic

Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:

  • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
  • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
  • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
  • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
  • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.