87 Ford Taurus Sedan

I have an 87 Ford Taurus in great shape. My main complaint is the gas tank is too small. It seems to hold about 11 gallons so, it has no range. At 19 to 22 mpg, I can only get about 220 miles to the tank. The most recent problem is that the inside door handle that should be made out of metal but, is really made of metal coated plastic broke off on the driver's door. So, now to get out, I have to roll down the window and open up the door handle from the outside. I am getting used to that but, I would like to fix the door handle. It looks like I might just be able to unscrew the nut and put another handle that I find at say a junk yard. If I do that is there any risk of some spring releasing and affecting the power window mechanism?

Thanks,

Reply to
R Steenerson
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The handle is easy to replace. One screw, no flying springs or loose parts. If you buy a used one, get two. They break often. I "think" the sable used the same handle only it was metal. It's been a while.

Reply to
Tom Adkins

Our 87 Taurus had about a 6 gallon "bubble" that took a long time to fill the tank after the nozzle usually shut off. I suspect you are not filling the tank, and also have a considerable reserve left at the point you are refilling. Have you ever run out of gas to confirm this?

Rob

Reply to
trainfan1

I have not completely run out of gas. I have gotten where the engine was cutting out but, it was in an extremely hilly area up and down so, I was imaging that the gas was sloshing in and out of the feed line to the engine. This happened when the fuel guage was a little above E so, it is the area that I feel I am treading on shaky ground. I suppose trying to completely run out in a safe area with a one gallon gas can in the trunk is a good idea.

Thank you,

Reply to
R Steenerson

Hi Tom,

Thank you for the quick answer to my simple door handle question.

Reply to
R Steenerson

On my Taurus, the left turn signal has a problem. It does not stay on, I kind of need to hold it down while turning. The high beam light also does not stay pulled back but, just very recently, I discovered I could push it forward and keep the high beam light on. Maybe 10 years, I fixed something like this on a plymouth, I needed to pull off the steering wheel and get a replacement plastic piece for the turn signal that had broken off. My recollection is the part was about $15 or $20 and it took me 1 to 2 hours. I am imagining a similar fix for the Taurus. How much would an auto repair shop charge for this? I wonder if they could not fix it in 30 minutes.

Regards,

"R Steenerson" wrote in message news:meAPd.14285$ snipped-for-privacy@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com...

Reply to
R Steenerson

You need a Multi Function Switch, aka Turn signal switch. Just remove the plastic steering column cover, 2 screws on the switch (T-15 torx?), disconnect 2 or 3 connectors, reverse proceedure with new switch and bingo, you're done. No need to pull the steering wheel like in the old days. No more than 30 minutes the first time,

10 minutes thereafter. Tom
Reply to
Tom Adkins

Even better, make sure you have about a 5 gallon can of gas... this is what I do... but don't make a regular habit of running the fuel pump empty.

Also, our '87 drove 60-80 miles on "E". I suspect, at the age of your car, that the pickup/sock is not adequately scavenging the tank. Usually, when you get the "out-of-gas-stumble" you have about 1/4 mile to go... & that's it.

Rob

Reply to
trainfan1

30 Minutes & $100.00 + ...!

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Rob

Reply to
trainfan1

The high beam portion of the switch is working fine - you have to push it forward to flip on the high beams. Pulling it back is the "flash to pass" feature. However, the left turn signal does have a problem, so you will need a new switch.

Earlier you commented about a "small" gas tank on your Taurus, and you are only getting 19 - 22 MPG. Is that highway, or city? My Sable with the 3.0 V6 will get high 20's on the highway; I did have a problem with one of the sensors that impacted the gas mileage on my car. It never did turn on the check engine light, but the mechanic found it while troubleshooting an occasional stall. Cost me a couple hundred for the sensor, as I recall, but the car runs much better and gives better mileage.

Bob

88 Sable
Reply to
Bob

Hi Bob, Thank you. The 19 - 22 is city driving. I bought it in Oregon with less than 50,000 miles. 'I believed what the dealership told me in that it was owned by a 90 year-old woman who drove it only ocassionally since buying it as a new car in 87 or so.' It has no rust. I drove it from Oregon to Minnesota fully loaded down in July and then got high 20s maybe 30 mpg all the way including Idaho and Montana. The car is a real good car, reliable, low maintenance costs, etc., my only complaint has been that for the gas tank the guage when full shows way over F and I can go 80 miles until F. From F to Middle another 80 or 90, from Middle to 'too scared to let it get too low' 40 or 50 city driving.

Regards,

Reply to
R Steenerson

I just ran out to the garage and checked the fuel tank capacities from my Sable manual - 16 gallons for the standard fuel tank, and 18.6 for the optional extended range tank. The so-so Chilton's repair manual I have for Taurus/Sables 86-95 has the same info.

If you were getting close to 30 on the highway, then I'd say things are fine with the engine. In 2003 I did a trip from the Twin Cities to Milwaukee and got 30 mpg going there, and 26 mpg on the way back with the A/C running. And I get about 19-22 mpg in town as well, depending on the time of year.

The gas gauge on my Sable does show a bit over the F mark when full, and takes about 60 miles or so before it drops. Then again, I think there's something amiss with the alternator/charging system on my car, because when the dash lights dim at idle or under high electrical load (headlights, defroster on high and rear window defogger going), my gas gauge goes way above the F mark. Just something I've noticed with mine.

Problem areas with the car to be aware of: the automatic transmission can be fragile; you might want to check the condition of the fluid. Heater core is a bear to change. My Sable was really trouble free for the first 70,000 miles (I had it as a company car); from 70K to 110K, my folks owned the car and sunk a lot of money in repairs into it. Since 1999, when I got the Sable back, I've had to replace the radiator, and give it a good tune-up, along with one of the engine sensors going.

A rust free 87 Taurus is a rarity in Minnesota; people will be able to tell it didn't come from around here.

Bob.

Reply to
Bob

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Well, I never said it was cheap, just easy. Yea, both would be nice though.

Reply to
Tom Adkins

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