I made a mistake a few days ago I want to correct. I won't waste time and embarass myself with quoting the error, so let me just say it correctly now. I had a discussion w/ my Ford employee neighbor and he set me straight on a few things: The TPS is attached to the throttle itself. The throttle flap can use lubrication, but the sensor is quite inexpensive and is replaced with only two screws. (I changed mine). The mass flow sensor gets gummed up. It is easily cleaned and often returns to proper functioning with carb cleaner. KC (to give my neighbor a name) tells me that K&N air filters with their oiled elements gum up the mass flow sensor quicker than the stock filter. Arlen if you're reading....it's one screw clamp to access the thing and a paper towel soaked in carb cleaner to give cleaning a try. I'm sure you probably know where these two items are, but I'll mention anyway for the archive. The mass flow sensor is located just downstream of the filter box. The plastic duct that takes the air to the throttle is attached to it. The throttle position sensor is located at the other end of the plastic air duct, attached where the throttle itself is located. KC reiterated tonight how common a gummed up mass flow sensor causing lack of full power is. You might not be so lucky to have such a simple and inexpensive item be your culprit, but it's too simple and inexpensive not to check. I will try to be more accurate in my statements in the future. I hate to think of inaccurate information stored in the archives to stear future people wrong. I will of course report my head work experience on the Mazda-come-Ford, and you know I can't wait to pull my heads, especially since I'll have young cheap assistance! M.

  That statement "throttle flap can use lubricant" has gotten a lot of people in trouble. I've seen a LOT of people use WD40 or some other PENETRANT on it and that destroys the gasket around the butterfly and the TPS sensor itself.   Let me tell ya folks. Don't EVER use WD40 on a car, except when you taking off muffler bolts or exhaust bolts, etc. Use either silicon lubricant or lithium grease.   The mass air flow is not easily cleaned and carb cleaner should never be used. There is a little screen in front of the sensor that gets gummed up. Now it can be cleaned, but you should never use carb cleaner before the butterfly valve. It will eat the valve gaskets and the TPS sensor. It is especially good at giving dead spots. Many intakes will have a message or stamp on the intake NOT to use a cleaner.   Removing the MASS air flow and cleaning may be ok. I wouldn't since every where I've read says not to. There are two fine little wires that will be eaten by carb cleaner. 1 is a heater and the other is a thermo couple. when air increases, the thermocouple cools. You may use a tooth brush with carb cleaner (not the one you brush your teeth with though lol) or, as you mention, a paper towel, but don't spray!   CR
I made a mistake a few days ago I want to correct.  I won't waste time and embarass myself with quoting the error, so let me just say it correctly now.  I had a discussion w/ my Ford employee neighbor and he set me straight on a few things:

The TPS is attached to the throttle itself.  The throttle flap can use lubrication, but the sensor is quite inexpensive and is replaced with only two screws. (I changed mine).

The mass flow sensor gets gummed up.  It is easily cleaned and often returns to proper functioning with carb cleaner.  KC (to give my neighbor a name) tells me that K&N air filters with their oiled elements gum up the mass flow sensor quicker than the stock filter.

Arlen if you're reading....it's one screw clamp to access the thing and a paper towel soaked in carb cleaner to give cleaning a try.  I'm sure you probably know where these two items are, but I'll mention anyway for the archive.  The mass flow sensor is located just downstream of the filter box.  The plastic duct that takes the air to the throttle is attached to it.  The throttle position sensor is located at the other end of the plastic air duct, attached where the throttle itself is located.

KC reiterated tonight how common a gummed up mass flow sensor causing lack of full power is.  You might not be so lucky to have such a simple and inexpensive item be your culprit, but it's too simple and inexpensive not to check.

I will try to be more accurate in my statements in the future.  I hate to think of inaccurate information stored in the archives to stear future people wrong.

I will of course report my head work experience on the Mazda-come-Ford, and you know I can't wait to pull my heads, especially since I'll have young cheap assistance!

M.



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