Inspection and Verification

2007 Ford Fusion SEL, 2.3 Z, StandardSECTION Inspection and Verification
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Montego, 2006 Ford Freestyle, and 2006 Ford Five Hundred. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Verify the concern by running the engine (with the vehicle on the ground) or road testing the vehicle to duplicate the condition.
  2. Visually inspect the components of the exhaust system and related controls that may affect exhaust gas quality or loss of power.
  3. Visually inspect for obvious signs of mechanical damage. Refer to VISUAL INSPECTION TABLEΒ  .
    VISUAL INSPECTION TABLE

    Mechanical
    • Exhaust pipe pinched or crushed
    • Damaged muffler
    • Broken or damaged exhaust hanger brackets
    • Damaged catalytic converter
    • Cracked exhaust manifold
    • Dirty engine air cleaner
    • Loose or damaged heat shields
  4. Verify that the exhaust system is installed correctly, with clamps correctly located and tightened to specification.
  5. If the fault is not visually evident, determine the symptom. GO to SYMPTOM TABLEΒ .
RENDER: 1.0x

NO RELATED

Recommended Tools & Savings

Use the Manual With the Right Hardware

Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

When to See a Mechanic

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

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