:help: :help: Got a 98 zetec with atx and about 130,000 miles, also has vct. so since replacing the timing belts and pullies,the water pump, the head gasket ( head only out .004 in but had milled and rebuilt with new valve seals), the plugs, wires, coil, air filter, exhaust manifold gasket, intake plenum gaskets, the monstrosity cooling junction, the upper coolant bypass pipe.... and then checking.... the MAF( SPOTLESS), IAC (light carbon deposits... cleaned out) ... I' m stumped... it lopes within 3-5 min of starting the car... and continues to go from a normal idle down to sputtering and struggling not to stall.. then spikes back to regular idle.. and continues this pattern.. tho sometimes AFTER it has run for awhile ~30 min it'll run fine no matter WHAT you throw at it...slow turns to 0-60 speed tests...lol.. no missing or hesitation or idle getting sluggish... NOTHING... from 5mph to 85mph not a single hesitation...but if I shut it off wait about 30min-1hr.... and it's back to the same ole loping problem and black smoke... there's no sputtering at wot.. it DID throw two codes.. which is what is stumping me.... P1131, P1130... which would mean its running lean.. BUT I pulled the plugs and they're COVERED in BLACK deposits... (which I thought meant it was running rich)...I tried the propane thing and carb cleaner looking for vacuum leaks.. and nothing.. I'd think the fuel filter or fuel pump if it didn't smooth out...but it DOES smooth out for a period of time..with no exact cause.. it jsut seems like once it gegts hot and you blip the throttle it'll even out... the MAF seems touchy. though I know nothing about them... but the smallest shake and it seems to want to die out.. I've cleaned any wiring harness I can find with contact cleaner. and greased them to prevent further corrosion...couple of questions.. I have an oem o2 sensor coming tomorrow..along with replacing the f'd up plugs and the pcv valve... but other than everything I have listed and the symptoms.. can ANYONE think of what may be causing this problem.... thanx in advance
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