Clean the MAF sensor on 2001 Ford F53 V10

v10_maf_sensor_3_600 The Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor is used to measure the amount of combustion air flowing into the engine. The vehicles engine controller then adjusts the fuel injectors to get the correct air/fuel mixture.

If the sensor is dirty, it will send the wrong information to the computer, robbing you of power and economy.

My Mirada is 15 years old and it has a little over 70,000 miles on it. I suspect the sensor has never been cleaned, so I bought a can of MAF sensor cleaner and put this on my project list. Continue reading “Clean the MAF sensor on 2001 Ford F53 V10” →

Chirp-Chirp-Chirp the sequel

I don’t want to jinks this by saying that I’ve finally solved the problem. I’ve learned from several previous attempts to solve the chirp, only to be welcomed by the Chirp-Chirp-Chirp several hundred miles down the road.

To date, everything I’ve done to resolve this had a temporary effect, but then it comes back. The pulleys have been cleaned, wire brushed, parts replaced, belt/pulley alignment checked, etc, etc, etc. This is a short list of what I’ve done. Continue reading “Chirp-Chirp-Chirp the sequel” →

Buying an older F53 chassis motorhome

HoodRepair_8_800 I’ve been asked what things a new owner should look at and anticipate doing if they purchase an older motor-home that’s built on a F53 chassis, i.e. 1999 – 2005.

Obviously, the coach needs to be inspected, but I want to address the chassis portion. I want a good reliable vehicle that’s not going to leave me stranded. The best way to get piece of mind is to know exactly where the vehicle is in regards to maintenance. Continue reading “Buying an older F53 chassis motorhome” →

Chirp-Chirp-Chirp – Try a smaller belt

This is my latest attempt to deal with a mild Chirp – Chirp – Chirp thats been part of my Mirada life since day one.

It seems like everything I’ve done works for a few hundred miles, then I get the chirp back. Basically, the chirp is caused when the belt skids on the idler or a pulley Continue reading “Chirp-Chirp-Chirp – Try a smaller belt” →

Blown O2 sensor from exhaust manifold

Traveling in the hilly country of West Virginia’s I-77, as I pressed on the gas to start up the next hill, the transmission downshifted and all the sudden, a loud;

BBBBBrrrrrrrrr.

It definitely sounded like a exhaust problem, maybe a broken manifold or a donut seal pooped out. These V-10’s also have a rare history of spitting plugs, but it didn’t sound like that. This is not good, URGH Continue reading “Blown O2 sensor from exhaust manifold” →

Chirp Chirp Chirp Chirp Chirp – Finally solved (hopefully)

(CHECK UPDATE) Just after we picked up our “New to Us” Coachmen Mirada, it developed a chirping serpentine belt. It wasn’t loud, but it needed to be looked before any long trips as a bad bearing can also cause a chirp.

As part of bringing all the preventive maintenance up to date and preparation for our long trip, I replaced the serpentine belt with a new Gates belt, and installed new bearings on the two idlers and the tensioner. Replacing the bearing in the idler is substantially cheaper than replacing the entire idler. I also cleaned all the pulleys and idlers with lacquer thinner.

Continue reading “Chirp Chirp Chirp Chirp Chirp – Finally solved (hopefully)” →

Heater A/C blows Defrost mode, regardless of switch setting

There were numerous problems with my F53 truck frame regarding the heater A/C . I was missing the temperature control knob, and it didn’t seem like the heater was blowing correctly.

One of the aspects of the internet is the ability to search using google, One of the little known search tools is the ability to search and look at images instead of web sites. This is how I found out about Evans Tempcon. They are the maker of the various heating and A/C components in the 2001 Mirada. Continue reading “Heater A/C blows Defrost mode, regardless of switch setting” →

Belt and Idler pulley replacement

(CHECK UPDATE) When we picked up this unit (New to us) I noticed a slight “chirping” when the engine was idling.

I figured the belt has never been replaced, so its probably in need for a new belt.

The idler and tensioner bearings also start making noises, so while I had everything apart, may as well replace the idlers bearings. Continue reading “Belt and Idler pulley replacement” →

Mirada – Ford F53 Transmission flush

FordTrannyFluid_1 Our “New to Us” Mirada had 55,000 miles on it when we bought it and no service records, so we went through it and brought all the preventative maintenance items up to current schedule. One of these items was the Transmission flushing and changing of fluid.

I had performed a “Drain Fill” method of flushing automatic transmissions on my other vehicles and searched the internet to see if there was a similar procedure for the Ford F53, 4R100 transmission. I found the procedure and started gathering the stuff I’d need. Continue reading “Mirada – Ford F53 Transmission flush” →