Ford Contour Bad Compuvalve...rebuild?, buy used?...Help...

[gdrag]

Car is just ck from dealer service...verdict:bad compuvalve....total bill 2700. I am in Dallas Texas. I have almost 4k in car so I really can't see parting it out and I can't see spending almost as much as I bought the car for. So I am looking for cost effective solutions to get this car going on CNG.
Does anyone know a low cost supplier or rebuilder of the GFI compuvalve used in the 1996 Ford Contour? Or maybe hints on how I can do myself? I am open to any and all suggetsions....
Thanks
Guy

[John Mitton]

Re: Ford Contour Bad Compuvalve...rebuild?, buy used?...Help...

Welcome to CNGchat gdrag!

I am sure others will chime in, but I know the compuvalve issue has been extensively discussed in this Ford forum, so you might want to go back to the top of this forum (where all the discussion threads on Ford are listed), then click on Search and enter "compuvalve" to see all the threads that come up.

We wish you luck!
John

[gdrag]

Re: Ford Contour Bad Compuvalve...rebuild?, buy used?...Help...

Thanks for the reply John...
Did a search and found nothing detailing any resolution to a supply source or the possiblility of rebuilding/repairing.
I have not gotten into the valve yet but find it hard to believe that there is a single part on these cars that goes for over $2000...as an aside I am hoping there is either a secondary source or a work around that is cheaper.
Hopefully someone has concluded the same thing that I have and either tried and succeeded or tried and failed (still would like to hear about it :-) to rebuild one of these little monsters...
Looking for any help I can get....
Thanks
Guy

[Highmarker]

Re: Ford Contour Bad Compuvalve...rebuild?, buy used?...Help...

Guy,

The main difference between the Chevy CNG vehicles and the Fords is the compuvalve. Chevy has the CNG computer, sensors, and low pressure regulator all separate. Ford has them all together - the compuvalve. The compuvalve is the most tempermental part on the Ford CNG vehicles. If you would like more info about this, you may want to talk with Murphy from CNGMotors (www.cngmotors.com). He might have a used one he could sell you.

[maxman]

Re: Ford Contour Bad Compuvalve...rebuild?, buy used?...Help...

I saw a rebuilt one for $900 on craigslist somewhere in California. I did a search putting in compuvalve. I don't know for sure what it fit, but the pictures showed it had plugs in the valves to keep them clean like many rebuilt things come.
Max

[cnguser]

Re: Ford Contour Bad Compuvalve...rebuild?, buy used?...Help...

If considering buying a used compuvalve, double check the model number and other physical traits. From what I understand, not all years shared the same model and one may not be a correct substitute for another...
A Ford parts department may be able to verify model numbers for each year.

[maxman]

Re: Ford Contour Bad Compuvalve...rebuild?, buy used?...Help...

Also, I have heard the Ford dealers may have to program them, but I am not sure. With all the private dealers working on these, surely they are able to replace them without resorting to Ford.
Max

[CNG MOTORS]

Re: Ford Contour Bad Compuvalve...rebuild?, buy used?...Help...

CNGUSER is correct all compuvalve are model/engine/ fuel specific. A LPG 5.4L compuvalve will not work for a CNG ect...

If you still need one I may be able to source you a new one for $1500. I have not tried to in 3 years though. That was the last Contour I sold and haven't dealt with them since. I will forewarn you if you have 100k miles on the Contour this is just the biggining of your problems, be ready to spend in repairs what you originally spent for the car. You will have a better CNG experience by switching cars now. If you stick with this Contour I'm afraid you may turn your back on CNG forever. And I am sorry to be the one to tell you this but you bought the worse possible CNG vehicle there is. Bot the car design on it's own and the CNG system and where they mounted components makes this a "throw away car" very simular to the Hyundai's of the early 90's and those of you that have owned one know what I'm talking about