Why does my 2002 Ford Falcon idle irregularly and have a delayed throttle response?

An engine that runs well when cold but misfires when It’s warmed up is often a victim of poor air-fuel mixture. That can be caused by an air-leak (such as the intake manifold gasket you’ve already changed) a crack in any of the intake plumbing, faulty fuel injectors, a worn fuel pump, a corrupted ECU (computer), blocked fuel line or about a thousand other things. But in this case, knowing the Ford AU Falcon’s engine, I’d be taking a close look at the ignition system, specifically the coil pack. These have been known to fail regularly, often displaying their problems including a rough idle, once the engine has warmed up; precisely the symptoms you’ve noted. That said, rather than rush out and buy a new coil pack, have the vehicle scanned electronically to rule out any other potential source for the problem.

What oil can I use instead of Ford Engine Oil?

You need to keep using an oil that is compatible with LPG as this fuel places different stresses on the lubricating oil compared with an engine burning petrol or diesel. Provided you stick with the correct grade and API rating and choose a known brand (not the Brand-X supermarket stuff) you should be fine. Don’t forget to change the filter every time you change the oil.

What is causing my 2001 Ford AU Falcon ute to miss?

A miss is fairly common on these engines and is usually tracked back to either a dud spark-plug or a crook ignition lead. If you’ve already changed the plugs, I’d suggest checking the ignition leads for excessive resistance. The other major source of misses in these engines is usually a fault with the coil-packs. Swapping these for another set is a pretty easy way to check whether they’re the culprits. Don’t forget, however, that a miss can also be fuel or mechanical-related, but experience with these engines shows that the ignition system is often the cause. According to government websites, the 2001 Falcon six-cylinder can, indeed, use E10 fuel. You may find, however, that you use a little more E10 over 100km than normal unleaded, so the savings at the pump might not be as marked as they seem on paper.

Ford Falcon 2003: Leaking coolant and replacing remote locking

If you can’t see coolant on the ground where the car has been parked, you need to start a more thorough investigation. Your car is now 17 years old, so every hose, clip, clamp and junction that carries coolant is a prime suspect to be the cause. The lack of any evidence could mean that the coolant is only disappearing when the engine is running and/or the engine is hot and the coolant is under pressure. So a close check of things with the car up to temperature and idling is a good start. Don’t forget, though, that a running engine has all sorts of belts and fans to get tangled in, and that the coolant – if it is spraying out anywhere – will be scalding hot. The other possibility is something to which Falcons of this era are a bit prone. And that’s a faulty transmission cooler which can fail internally and allow the coolant to escape into the automatic gearbox. At that point, the transmission is usually damaged to the point of needing replacement, so it’s a big deal, but it could explain the mystery disappearance of your coolant. As for the central locking, these functions are handled by the car’s body computer. Again, it’s common with this model Falcon for the computer to start playing up and require replacement. But before you do that, check that the battery in the remote unit hasn’t gone flat. If it’s not that, a trip to an auto electrician is the wise move. But if both the body computer and the transmission need replacing, you might just find that the repairs will cost more than the value of the car itself.

Ford Falcon 2002: Why does the engine keep cutting out?

Computer-controlled engines like the one in your Falcon, Tony, require a range of sensors to provide the information to the computer to allow the engine to run properly. If just one of those sensors sneezes, the engine can shut down without warning. As well as a throttle-position sensor, there are also camshaft-angle, crank-angle, air temperature, coolant temperature, oxygen sensors and more. So the best advice is not to start replacing the sensors one by one, but to have the computer interrogated electronically. The computer will be logging problems as they happen and should be able to tell you exactly which sensor is nodding off intermittently. A Ford dealership along with many independent workshops will have the computer-scan gear to do this. It will save you time and money in the long run. For what it’s worth, since the car cuts out completely, my hunch would be the crank-angle sensor is overheating. So, if you want to persist with a home diagnosis, try this: Carry a bottle of cold water in the car. Then, the next time the engine cuts out, pour the cold water over the crank-angle sensor. If the car suddenly restarts, you’ve found your problem. But to be honest, you could also be looking at a dud fuel pump, a blocked fuel filter and literally a hundred other possibilities.

Ford Falcon: Can I use premium unleaded fuel?

No, using premium unleaded won’t cause any engine running problems, if anything it would improve the running.

Ford Falcon 2010: Is semi-synthetic oil appropriate for my car?

If it’s a good quality the semi-synthetic oil will be fine for your car. Next time you have the oil changed ask the mechanic what oil he plans to use, and don’t be afraid to specify the one you want if it’s different.

What is the best tow vehicle to buy?

The GQ Patrol was a tough old bird, but it’s old and buying one now is a gamble. You could consider a Toyota Landcruiser, but again your budget will limit you to an older vehicle and that is always a risk. You could perhaps consider fitting power steering to the XF ute.

Ford Falcon 2009: Are there issues with the timing chain?

There’s no issue with the chain, they rarely break, but they can wear over time. If it does wear it usually becomes noisy, which in itself is not a problem. If it gets too bad the timing can be affected, and it’s best them to replace the chain.

Ford Falcon 2001: How to change the wiring?

You’ll need a different ECU for petrol, and you’ll need wiring for the fuel pump, which is in the fuel tank.

You are here

Ford Falcon 1998 Problems

No car is perfect, but we've gathered everything relating to the Ford Falcon 1998 reliability here to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

Ford Falcon 1998: Stalling

Answered by CarsGuide 29 Jun 2018

It’s most likely the crank angle sensor, which is on the crankshaft. Have a mechanic check it.

Engine

Ford Falcon 1998: Stalling at low revs

Answered by CarsGuide 23 Feb 2018

It’s most likely the crank angle sensor, which is on the crankshaft. Have a mechanic check it.

Engine

Which is better: Commodore vs Falcon?

Answered by CarsGuide 24 Jun 2016

It's very low mileage for a car that is 18 years old, so make sure the odometer is correct. If it is you've most likely got a good buy on your hands. The BA Falcon is a solid and generally reliable car. There's little to worry about with the engine, there can be problems with the automatic transmission, but it shouldn't be a problem if it drives normally when you test-drive it.

Used Ford Falcon review: 1997-2014

25 Nov 2014 · by Ewan Kennedy

Not a lot of new Ford Falcons are sold these days, so there's a shortage of late models on the used-car scene, but certainly no lack of offering built prior to 2010. For many years Falcon was a huge ...

Poor headlights on newer vehicles

Answered by CarsGuide 23 Jun 2014

I also suffered through a six-volt Beetle but there is no excuse now. Upscale Euro cars have great bi-xenons and that should be the standard for everyone, although the Commodore and Falcon are world's - best for their price.

Used Ford Falcon review: 1998-2012

5 Jul 2013 · by Ewan Kennedy

Ford's Falcon has slipped from the minds of many new-car buyers in recent years, resulting in the sad news that production will cease late in 2016. However, the iconic Falcon has long been a ...

Used Ford Falcon review: 1997-2012

22 Oct 2012 · by Ewan Kennedy

Ford's Falcon is a rugged family car that copes well with rough and ready Australian bush roads so are very popular out there. They can be on the large side for close city work but have good outward ...

Ask Smithy Xtra EL Falcon auto jamming

Answered by CarsGuide 19 Jul 2011

By locking in third gear it’s going into ‘limp home’ mode, probably because the computer has identified an electrical problem with the gearbox. A diagnostic check should identify the fault.

Ask Smithy Xtra dual-fuel EL Falcon loses power

Answered by CarsGuide 10 May 2011

It doesn’t sound like a problem with the gas system, sounds more like it needs a service.

Engine

Using old petrol for Falcon

Answered by CarsGuide 12 Apr 2011

It won’t damage your car, but it might cause it run poorly. Fuel today goes off within a week or two, so it’s not a good idea to leave it in the tank for too long.

Engine

Search from Over 8,000 questions Over 8,000 questions answered by CarsGuide

Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.

Complete Guide to Ford
Falcon

Reviews, price, specs and more

Reviews

Family
Family focused reviews and advice for everything family car related.
Adventure
Off-road for beginners and the experienced, plus camper trailers, caravans and motorhomes
Tradies
Utes, commercial vehicles and tow tests

Buying guides

Our experts pick the top models
- Commerical
- Sedan
- Convertible
- SUV
- Coupe
- Sport
- Hatchback
- Ute
- People mover
- Wagon