The $20 Compuvalve!

[sgt jensen]

I bought a 2000 Ford Contour in December for fairly cheap. Getting it to run on CNG is pretty tough. So I decided to probe into this thing they call a Compuvalve. I went to Pick-N-Pull in West Valley City and grabbed a Compuvalve off a 98 Contour with 115000 miles. I didn't expect the unit to work, I just wanted to rip it apart and study it. 20 dollars and it was mine.

I brought it home and disassembled it. Less complicated than I thought. I decided to clean it throughly with alcohol and put it back together. It was fairly clean inside. The dirtiest part was where the injectors spray, it looked like ear wax. I then decided to swap it with the unit in my car.

When I got to mine, I was discouraged to find that it had 4 solenoids, and the junk yard unit had 5. They also had different model numbers. I decided to proceed with the swap, as I figured there was nothing to lose. So with the junkyard unit installed, I reconnected the battery, and hit the ignition key. Just then, the strangest thing happened. The little green light on my fuel switch stayed green! It was not blinking!!!

I thought to myself, no {non-expletive deleted by moderator} way this is going to work. I turned the key and that {non-expletive deleted by moderator} Contour started right up on CNG!!! I couldn't believe it. I haven't been able to use CNG for months! A 20 dollar junkyard part and my car works again. I just hope it lasts until I can buy a different CNG powered car and ditch this beater.

[maxman]

Re: The $20 Compuvalve!

YES! YES! RIGHT ON!!!

I hope it works for you to run on, as well. If this turns out, this is one of those stories that inspire hope!

I say good on you.

If it were me, I'd be dancing around singing "I believe in miracles..." (except not the rest of the verse)

Maybe I will try there.

Was it hard to change? Isn't the compuvalve on those under the engine instead of on top?

Max

[sgt jensen]

Re: The $20 Compuvalve!

It was very easy to change. While it may be in a good location to work on, (under the engine) that has to be the dumbest place to mount such a critical component.

[sgt jensen]

Re: The $20 Compuvalve!

So far, so good. It started right up in 23 degree weather this morning. Hasn't done that for me before.

[maxman]

Re: The $20 Compuvalve!

Thank you for letting us know how it's going.
Good Luck
Max

[sgt jensen]

Re: The $20 Compuvalve!

Well, time to report with the first problem of my swap. It is still running great, however the fuel needle always reads full on CNG mode. It still functions normally on gasoline. I plan on running it until the CNG is empty to get a mileage range, and also to see if it will still switch to gasoline automatically.

[53 willys]

Re: The $20 Compuvalve!

Well, time to report with the first problem of my swap. It is still running great, however the fuel needle always reads full on CNG mode. It still functions normally on gasoline. I plan on running it until the CNG is empty to get a mileage range, and also to see if it will still switch to gasoline automatically.

you should take your "old" one apart clean it and put it back on your car...if that works then anybody having problems should try this before replacing the part!!
great info man!! let us know what you find out!!

[spazntwitch]

Re: The $20 Compuvalve!

Congrats on the part! I am hoping to do something like this for my 2000 Ford Contour.

[bakaroma]

Re: The $20 Compuvalve!

I was told "flushing the system" was a first step to try relative to the compuvalve. How is this done and what does it mean? I also have a 2000 contour with the blinking light not ever going over to cng.

[CNG MOTORS]

Re: The $20 Compuvalve!

Very interested to know if the part from the yard was actually a working unit already or not. Please report in when you go through the old compuvalve on your car. If that works then maybe, just maybe I would start selling Contours again. ...............whoooops sorry temporary insanity :0)

But I would like to know if it works because F150's have the same problem just not as frequent as the Contours do.

[sgt jensen]

Re: The $20 Compuvalve!

I have to believe that it still worked in the junk car. The car was not wrecked, so it probably ended up junk because of the transmission or some other expensive repair. I just wish the tank was still in the trunk! Would have been nice to have two. I did "rebuild" my non working compuvalve, but I don't want to mess with the one in my car that is still working. If this one dies, I will swap back and see if simply cleaning them is a remedy.

[bakaroma]

Re: The $20 Compuvalve!

I would beinterested in buying your spare. I would even be curious to try it in mine to see if your technique is repeatable. Shoot me an e-mail if you are interested.

[pasta]

Re: The $20 Compuvalve!

FYI

Anyone looking for this vehicle in the wreking yard! I went today and could not find any remainds of any Ford cng vehicles on the lot.

[abgar]

Re: The $20 Compuvalve!

i wonder if you could replace a compuvalve from an f150 to a contour or vice versa.. does anyone know?

[CNG Utah]

Re: The $20 Compuvalve!

i wonder if you could replace a compuvalve from an f150 to a contour or vice versa.. does anyone know?

No, they are not interchangeable.