My g/f's '98 Mustang with the 3.8L V6 is having some issues. It turns over but will not start unless you press the gas some. Only has 90k miles on it and shes loves it to death. I would get major kudos if I could "magically" fix this problem for her. I'm thinking dirty injectors, but I doubt they would be dirty enough to prevent ignition? Any ideas?

 

Replace the IAC for some of those good kudos

 

Is this expensive/hard to do? I.E: I don't want to be taking half of her car apart and spend hours tooling on it. I just figured it would be some quick and easy "boom, done" kinda thing

 

40 - 60 bucks @ any auto supplier. The 3.8 is easy and fast -


Wait! You don't know what the IAC is

 

It's an Idle Air Control...

Ya, that's a wickedly wicked easy fix... it will be easier than changing oil.

 

I had one of those once. the IAC is the likely problem like was already said. One thing about those engines they have a tendency to blow head gaskets about every 100k. fun car.. She should be prepared for that inevitable head gasket job though..

 

Is it a prob like the 4.2L's? She has a build date of early 1998. Is there a way to fix this cause I'd like to give her a warning about it if so. Her mom owns a automotive shop in town (can you say discount on next set of tires?) so they would be able to do the IAC no prob.

 

I don't think it's on top like the 4.2. I wanna say it's on the side, like the 4.0. Not totally sure.

Regardless - It's easy to find, change it or clean it. There's a sticky "how to" above. Plus a search bar . Cleaning procedure is the same as yours.

 

Beat on the IAC with a hammer or a screwdriver handle first, see if it catches easier while she's cranking. At least make sure it's the IAC before you go flinging parts at it.