Here you'll find the essential specifications for the 1996-1999 3.0L Ford Taurus (1996-1999 3.0L Mercury Sable).
NOTE: The specifications in this web page apply only to the 3.0L OHV V6 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable. These specifications do not apply to the 3.0L DOHC V6 engine.
Contents of this tutorial:
- How To Identify The 3.0L V6 Engine.
- Ignition System Specifications.
- Fuel System Specifications.
- Serpentine Belt Routing Diagram 3.0L OHV (VIN 1, 2, 3).
- Intake Manifold Bolt Torque Specifications (3.0L OHV).
- Intake Manifold Plenum Bolt Torque Specifications (3.0L OHV).
- Cylinder Head Bolt Torque Specifications (VIN 1, 2, y U).
- More 3.0L V6 Ford Taurus Tutorials.
ES 
You can find this tutorial in Spanish here: Especificaciones De Afinación y Del Motor 1996-1999 3.0L OHV Ford Taurus (at: autotecnico-online.com).
APPLIES TO: This tutorial applies to the following 3.0L Overhead (OVH) vehicles:
- 3.0L V6 (OHV) Ford Taurus: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999.
- 3.0L V6 (OHV) Mercury Sable: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999.
How To Identify The 3.0L V6 Engine
The 1996-1999 3.0L V6 Ford Taurus comes equipped with 1 of 4 different 3.0L V6 engines. The key to knowing which 3.0L your Ford Taurus comes equipped with is checking the 8th digit of the VIN:
| 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 is the 24 valve 3.0L V6. Also, each cylinder head is equipped with two camshafts.
- OHV -Over Head Valve. This is the 12 valve 3.0L and has the camshaft in the engine block.
- VIN -Vehicle Identification Number.
Ignition System Specifications
The 1996 model year saw the 3.0L V6 Ford Taurus equipped with a distributor-less ignition system.
| Spark Plug Wire Resistance Specification |
|---|
| 30 K Ohms max for each cable (above 30 K Ohms and the cable is defective). |
| Spark Plug Gap |
|---|
| 0.042-0.046 inches (1.07-1.17 MM). |
| Base Ignition Timing |
|---|
| Non ajustable. |
| OE Spark Plug |
|---|
| Motorcraft AWSF-32PP (OE) Motorcraft SP432 (equivalent to AWSF-32PP) |
Testing the ignition coil pack on the 3.0L Ford Taurus is not difficult. The following tutorial will help you test this type of ignition system: How To Test The Coil Pack (Ford 3.0L, 3.8L, 4.0L, 4.2L) (at: easyautodiagnostics.com).
Fuel System Specifications
The electronic fuel injection system on the 1996-1999 3.0L Ford Taurus (Mercury Sable) is the EEC-V. 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 3.0L OHV (VIN 1, 2, 3)
NOTE: The serpentine belt routing diagram above applies only to the 1996-1999 3.0L OHV (VIN: 1, 2, and U) Ford Taurus.
Intake Manifold Bolt Torque Specifications (3.0L OHV)
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 OHV)
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 Torque Specifications (VIN 1, 2, y U)
The illustration above shows the cylinder head bolt tightening sequence.
NOTE: Install the cylinder head gasket without any type of sealer.
| Cylinder Head Torque Specs. (3.0L OHV) | |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | 59 Ft. Lbs. (80 N.m) |
| Step 2 | Loosen bolt one complete turn |
| Step 3 | 33-41 Ft. Lbs. (45-56 N.m) |
| Step 3 | 63-73 Ft. Lbs. (85-99 N.m) |
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:
Here's a sample of the tutorials you'll find in the indexes:
- How To Test The MAF Sensor (1996-1999 3.0L V6 Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable).
- How To Test The TPS With A Multimeter (1996-2007 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).
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