Tune Up And Torque Specifications (1996-1999 3.0L V6 DOHC Ford Taurus)

The basic tune-up specifications found here apply to the 1996-1999 3.0L DOHC Ford Taurus (1996-1999 3.0L DOHC Mercury Sable).

The 3.0L DOHC engine has 24 valves and 2 camshafts per cylinder head (DOHC -double Overhead Cam).

NOTE: You can find the tune-up and basic specifications for the 3.0L OHV engine here: Tune Up Specifications (1996-1999 3.0L OHV Ford Taurus).

ES You can find this tutorial in Spanish here: Especificaciones De Afinación y Del Motor 1996-1999 3.0L DOHC Ford Taurus (at: autotecnico-online.com).

APPLIES TO: This tutorial applies to the following vehicles:

• 3.0L V6 (DOHC) Ford Taurus: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999.
• 3.0L V6 (DOHC) Mercury Sable: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999.

How To Identify The 3.0L DOHC V6 Engine

The 1996-1999 3.0L V6 Ford Taurus comes equipped with 4 different engines. If you're not too sure if your Ford Taurus has the DOHC engine, you can check the 8th digit of the VIN. If your Ford Taurus has the DOHC engine, the 8th digit will be an S:

V.I.N.	Motor	Type	FFV
1	3.0L	OHV	✔
2	3.0L	OHV	✔
S	3.0L	DOHC
U	3.0L	OHV

• FFV -Flex Fuel Vehicle.
• DOHC -Double Overhead Camshaft. This 3.0L engine has 24 valves and two camshafts per cylinder head.
• OHV -Over Head Valve. This is a simple 12 valve engine and the camshaft sits in the engine block.
• VIN -Vehicle Identification Number.

Ignition System Specifications

The 3.0L DOHC Ford Taurus uses a distributor-less ignition system (known in Ford-speak as EDIS). This system uses a coil pack that has 6 towers.

This coil pack is made up of 3 different ignition coils (with two towers each) within the same assembly. Each ignition coil (within the assembly) fires spark simultaneously in a type of ignition system known as: waste-spark.

Spark Plug Wire Resistance Specification
30 K Ohms max for each cable (above 30 K Ohms and the cable is defective).

Spark Plug Gap
0.052-0.056 inches (1.32-1.42 MM).

Base Ignition Timing
Non-adjustable.

OE Spark Plug
Motorcraft AWSF-32F (OE) Motorcraft SP432 (equivalent to AWSF-32F)

The coil-pack ignition system of the 3.0L DOHC Ford Taurus can be easily tested. The following tutorial will show you how to diagnose the ignition coil pack in a step-by-step way: How To Test The Coil Pack (Ford 3.0L, 3.8L, 4.0L, 4.2L) (at: easyautodiagnostics.com).

Fuel System Specifications

The 1996-1999 DOHC 3.0L Ford Taurus (Mercury Sable) uses the EEC-V engine management system. The EEC-V fuel injection computer has 104 terminal.

The electric fuel pump is located inside the fuel tank.

Fuel Pressure With The Key On Engine Off
37-43 PSI (2.5-2.9 Kg/cm²).

Fuel Pressure With The Key On Engine Running
26-45 PSI (1.8-3.2 Kg/cm²).

Fuel Injector Resistance
11-18 Ohms (individual resistance).

Location Of The Fuel Pump Inertia Switch
Inside the trunk and on the passenger side.

Serpentine Belt Routing Diagram DOHC (VIN S)

NOTE: The serpentine belt routing diagram above applies only to the 1996-1999 3.0L DOHC (VIN: S) Ford Taurus.

Intake Manifold Bolt Torque Specifications (3.0L DOHC)

The illustration above shows the intake manifold bolt tightening sequence to avoid damage to the intake manifold gasket or vacuum leaks.

NOTE: Install the intake manifold gaskets without any type of sealer.

Intake Manifold Bolt Torque Specifications
Step 1	11 Ft. Lbs. (15 N.m)
Step 2	19-24 Ft. Lbs. (26-33 N.m)

Intake Manifold Plenum Bolt Torque Specifications (3.0L DOHC)

The illustration above shows the intake manifold plenum bolt tightening sequence to avoid damage to the intake manifold plenum gasket or vacuum leaks.

The intake manifold plenum is also known as the upper intake manifold.

NOTE: Install the intake manifold plenum gasket without any type of sealer.

Intake Manifold Plenum Bolt Torque Specifications
15-22 Ft. Lbs. (20-30 N.m)

Cylinder Head Bolt Loosening Sequence (VIN S)

The cylinders heads, of the 3.0L DOHC engine, have to be loosened in the recommended sequence above.

IMPORTANT: Loosen each cylinder head bolt 1/4 of a turn (in other words: 90° of a turn). Don't loosen each bolt all at once as you're loosening them (or you'll warp the cylinder head). Repeat loosening them 1/4 of a turn, in sequence, till they're all loosened.

Cylinder Head Bolt Torque Specifications (DOHC VIN S)

The illustration above shows the cylinder head bolt tightening sequence.

NOTE: Install the cylinder head gasket without any type of sealer.

Cylinder Head Bolt Torque Specifications (3.0L DOHC)
Step 1	27-32 Ft. Lbs. (37-43 N.m)
Step 2	Loosen 85° - 95°
Step 3	Loosen one complete turn (360°)
Step 3	27-32 Ft. Lbs. (37-43 N.m)
Step 4	Additional turn of 85° - 95°
Step 5	Additional turn of 85° - 95°

More 3.0L V6 Ford Taurus Tutorials

You can find many more 'how to test' tutorials for your 3.0L Ford Taurus (3.0L Mercury Sable) in these two indexes:

• 3.0L V6 Ford Taurus Index Of Articles.

Here's a sample of the tutorials you'll find in the indexes:

• How To Test The TPS With A Multimeter (1996-2007 3.0L V6 Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable).
• How To Test The MAF Sensor (1996-1999 3.0L V6 Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable).
• How To Test For A Blown Head Gasket (1990-2007 3.0L V6 Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable).
• How To Do And Interpret An Engine Compression Test (1990-2007 3.0L V6 Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable).