Tribute Help

[esigurd]

I have a 2001 Tribute 130k with some odd engine issues.

The truck runs fine in cold weather or if kept in the shade on a hot day. As soon as it sits in the sun on a day over 75 degrees, it gulps air at about 40mph and when idling. If it does it for more than a few seconds, the CEL come on. Sometimes it flashes and other times it stays on. The dealer has no clue.

I have had the dealer look at it. They have replaced spark plugs and various other things, but no cure.

It seems like a thermostat issue, but the dealer just looks at me like I am crazy.

Can somebody direct to the correct forum or respond. Thanks.

 

[J-Villa]

might want to do searches for ford escapes as well. I'm quite sure that are 90% the same except for small details.

google will prob. end up helping you more then a bunch of speed3 owners.

 

[CrazyT]

Isn't there a Tribute forum? You might be better asking over there. I have no idea about the tribute, or what "gulping air" means (misfire?), but flashing CEL is typical of a misfire of some type. I'm willing to bet that if the tribute uses coil packs I've seen on fords, one of them has gone and is causing a misfire. If you have a buddy with a CEL reader, borrow it and read the codes. If not, drive to your local auto-zone if you can and have them read it.

If it is a coil pack, it will get worse over time. Chances are that it will give the following codes: P0171, 0300, 030X (x being the cylinder of misfire). Good luck to you.

If you do not have a overheating/overcooling problem than it is not the thermostat.

 

[esigurd]

Thanks for the input and suggestions. I have done Google searches, no luck. As for describing the issue, I do not know how to describe it. It feels like the engine sucks in a gulp of air and mis-fires. ONLY happens if it sits in the direct sun.......... I am good until the first hot day this spring.