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marauder307
11-04-2005, 12:36 PM
Two items here:

1) Last fall, about 10k miles ago, I upgraded my brakes to PowerSlot rotors with Hawk HPS pads. Ever since then, the brakes have always squealed upon application. Work was done by a dealer's shop (Energy Country FLM, in Port Arthur TX), so I'm confident that it was done properly; they were even willing to paint the calipers for me (I supplied the paint, although in the interim I've seen that they didn't prep the calipers right---calipers look cruddy again).

Like I said, this brake setup has always squealed since it was installed, and there's usually a fair amount of brake dust at wash/detail time. I'm getting tired of my MM sounding like a Deuce-and-a-half coming to a stop; any ideas as to what might be going on, and what I can do to remedy it?

2) Engine problems again. Early on (maybe 6k mi), I had my PCM reflashed with the updated programming as per SSM something-something 428 (the one dealing with cold-engine surging and so on). I wasn't really getting the surging problem at the time, but I did it anyway as a preventative measure.

Now, I'm REALLY getting the surging, at 35.5k mile on the odo. Lousy when cold (and cold is a relative term here in Honolulu---the evening temps are only getting down in the mid-70s); engine jumps up and down as much as 300 rpm, and the car acts like a drunk's driving, lurching and coughing across the parking lot at idle. Otherwise ok once the temp needle gets to the bottom peg, and performs normally otherwise.

As additional information: Traffic here on the island is a LOT of stop-and-go; I don't really get any areas to do the SergeantMac full-throttle stomp. And I'm using slightly different gas---there is no 93 available on the island, so I've been buying generic 92 octane out of the tanks at the Pearl Harbor NB gas station.

Can anybody shed any light on this? :alone:

SergntMac
11-04-2005, 01:25 PM
I got this advice about brake squeak from two credible sources, Kenny Brown (who built my MM with Baer brakes), and Drake at Baer Brakes. Bothntold me it's due to an accumulation of brake dust inside the caliper and in the slots. Both advised that I try a few controlled hard braking events, and they were right. About every three months or so, my Baer brakes begin to squeak, and I grab a can of brake cleaner, spray the ***** out of the front brakes, and do the hard stop thingy in a parking lot. It works.

With respect to your second problem, you may indeed have answered your own question...
I'm using slightly different gas---there is no 93 available on the island, so I've been buying generic 92 octane out of the tanks at the Pearl Harbor NB gas station. This gas should be okay, but you don't really know what you're getting. Sounds like things have gotten clogged up, so, first, try adding some fuel injection cleaner to your next few tank full. If this is unproductive, your throttle position sensor, or, the Idle air control on the TB may need cleaning. here's a good thread on symptoms and repairs...

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=20700&highlight=throttle+position+se nsor

RF Overlord
11-04-2005, 01:36 PM
Ever since then, the brakes have always squealed upon application...and there's usually a fair amount of brake dust at wash/detail time.High performance brakes frequently make funny noises and shed dust...it's just their nature...I'm not familiar with your exact combo, but you may just have to resign yourself to it...it's the price you pay for improved braking performance. Todd at TCE (vendor here) may be able to shed (pun intended) more light for you, or suggest a different pad material that could help.

*EDIT*: In the time it took me to write this (I got sidetracked), Mac posted a much better answer...

marauder307
11-05-2005, 01:39 AM
I got this advice about brake squeak from two credible sources, Kenny Brown (who built my MM with Baer brakes), and Drake at Baer Brakes. Bothntold me it's due to an accumulation of brake dust inside the caliper and in the slots. Both advised that I try a few controlled hard braking events, and they were right. About every three months or so, my Baer brakes begin to squeak, and I grab a can of brake cleaner, spray the ***** out of the front brakes, and do the hard stop thingy in a parking lot. It works.

With respect to your second problem, you may indeed have answered your own question... This gas should be okay, but you don't really know what you're getting. Sounds like things have gotten clogged up, so, first, try adding some fuel injection cleaner to your next few tank full. If this is unproductive, your throttle position sensor, or, the Idle air control on the TB may need cleaning. here's a good thread on symptoms and repairs...

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=20700&highlight=throttle+position+se nsor

10-4 on all. As a by-the-way...where is the PCV valve? I guess I'm supposed to get that replaced at 30k, but haven't done it yet...as far as the brakes go, well...I guess I'll just have to live with it. I've got some brake cleaner in the house; next wash, right before the soap and water, I'm gonna use up the can (it's only about 1/2 full).

The gas prices have finally backed off here in Honolulu this last week; premium's back down to 2.87/gal. on the economy. I was buying at the Pearl Harbor Autoport because it was about .12/gal cheaper. Allegedly, the Autoport gets the same gas as the local stations...meaning it should be okay. They just sell it cheaper because a) you can't charge tax on a federal reservation (i.e. Naval Base Pearl Harbor), and b) they're buying in the same bulk as local retailers but selling to a limited customer base (namely, only those who are military/DoD-connected and therefore have access to the base), so they've got a slight excess. I wonder sometimes tho...the local 76 station is the best price so I'll be filling up there tomorrow.

Thanks for the replies fellas! It's nice to have folks here talking to me again... :)

SergntMac
11-05-2005, 05:59 AM
As a by-the-way...where is the PCV valve? I guess I'm supposed to get that replaced at 30k, but haven't done it yet. The PCV valve is just below the elbow in the hose leading from the passenger side valve cover to the intake manifold. It's a "push in and twist" type of valve, but it's plastic too. Be patient.