Ford Taurus Owners Manual: Cleaning the engine

Engines are more efficient when they are clean because grease and dirt buildup keep the engine warmer than normal.

When washing: • Take care when using a power washer to clean the engine. The high-pressure fluid could penetrate the sealed parts and cause damage.

• Do not spray a hot engine with cold water to avoid cracking the engine block or other engine components.

• Spray Motorcraft Engine Shampoo and Degreaser on all parts that require cleaning and pressure rinse clean. In Canada, use Motorcraft Engine Shampoo.

• Never wash or rinse the engine while it is hot or running; water in the running engine may cause internal damage.

• Never wash or rinse any ignition coil, spark plug wire or spark plug well, or the area in and around these locations.

• Cover the battery, power distribution box, and air filter assembly to prevent water damage when cleaning the engine.

    Repairing minor paint damage
    Your authorized dealer has touch-up paint to match your vehicle’s color. Take your color code (printed on a sticker in the driver’s door jamb) to an authorized dealer to make sure you get the ...

    Cleaning the windows and wiper blades
    The windows and wiper blades should be cleaned regularly. If the wipers do not wipe properly, substances on the vehicle’s glass or the wiper blades may cause squeaking or chatter noise from the bl ...

    Other materials:

    Driver and passenger airbags
    WARNING: Never place your arm or any objects over an airbag module. Placing your arm over a deploying airbag can result in serious arm fractures or other injuries. Objects placed on or over the airbag inflation area may cause those objects to be propelled by the airbag into your face and torso c ...

    Disassembly and Assembly of Subassemblies
    Cylinder Head Special Tool(s) Material Cylinder Head NOTE: RH shown, LH similar. Disassembly NOTE: If the components are to be reinstalled, they must be installed in the same positions. Mark the components for installation into their original locations. Using the Valve Spring Comp ...

    Anti-Theft - Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS), Without Intelligent Access (IA)
    DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION Anti-Theft Overview PATS deters the vehicle from theft by preventing the engine from starting unless a programmed PATS key is in the ignition. PATS does not disable an already running engine. System Operation System Diagram Network Message Chart ...