Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Branches Eastern Canada Good Shop for my tour in Waterloo/Guelph?

Hi guys.

I did the research, read the Lemon-Aid guide, decided what I should get (Nissan, Honda, Toyota, NOT Ford)... then saw, and fell in love with a black 98 'Tour 2.5 SE auto.

I've had it five weeks, and haven't had a clean week yet!(Honestly, I think I should have dropped the last three letters of contour rather than the first (figure it out!))

Thanks to heads ups for the guys and gals on this forum, got the flywheel ring gear replaced (under warranty) and made a few other minor fixes. (Not dumb, but I don't have a pit, hoist, garage or the time to do too much nowadays.)

I'm concerned that the guy who did the work didn't drop the engine to split the tranny (how'd he do that!?). I'm getting a CEL again, probably the 1131 (Bank1 O2 sensor) and I need it replaced.

Also, sounds like a vacuum leak (or even the manifold) and there's a few clunks, so, I'm looking for a good, reliable mechanic in KW or Guelph who can give my baby a once-over, see what it needs, and quote me for the work.

Any takers????

I'm a little lost on this post but welcome to the forum. Maybe describe what was fixed aside from the tranny and some of us maybe able to better help you out.

Welcome to the forum. I agree with Mark, a clearer explaination in needed.

Aargh! I shouldn't type while tired! Sorry about the confusion.

I did get the flywheel fixed (it had many, many missing teeth) so my starting problems are now over. I also made a few minor unrelated repairs (interior lights, trunk actuator, fuel filter, that sort of thing).

My main concern though is that the car is an unknown quantity to me. Rather than wait for stuff to die, I wanted to find a mechanic who could assess the car properly. I believe in preventive maintenance.

Currently, I have a CEL. The code last time was 1131, and I was told the 'wiring was bad, it'll go away'. Well, it came back. I didn't get the code this time (costs money here, yes?), but I'll bet its 1131 again. So, new O2 sensor, right?

I have my doubts that the engine was correctly reassembled after the warranty work, and I think there's a leak somewhere. When I get to 80km/h, the power fades rapidly, and it runs out of steam. It doesn't stall or anything. Also, fuel consumption goes way up. Again, maybe the O2 sensor not allowing the PCM to adjust the timing properly, right?

Sorry about the length of this post, but all I really want is to find a mechanic, other than a stealership, who can check the car over for me, and perhaps do the O2 sensor. (I don't have time or tools or experience with the Contour, and I'm quite willing to pay, just not Ford's rate) Maybe there's a local (KW/Guelph) experienced enthusiast who wants to make a few bucks...

There are plenty of us here that are experienced with the Tour. From what you are describing I'm guessing it can use the good old UIM clean up and some spark plugs. I know a few of us that are rather good at doing this by now. Myself included. Heck if you wanted to make the drive this way I'm sure we could get it all fixed up this Saturday. What is your mileage for the record? As well you say the power dies off after 80? is that maybe an RPM thing? Like say it dies off the more RPM the engine builds? Then we are into Pre Cats and possibly a broken IMRC. I say this becasue a Contour even in a un modified state pulls pretty well in the upper RPMS. I have had the clogged Pre Cats senario and can assure you that myself and some other members could test drive your baby and help you determine if this is the problem.

Mark speaking of cleaning UIM, I may require your skills in the spring if you wouldn't mind.

I agree with Mark although I would check the IMRC linkage at the LIM. This is famous for coming off and showing a loss of power above 3500 RPM. Below approximately 3500 RPM, dependant on acceleration WOT or gently accelerating, the secondary butterflies remain closed to give increased torque in the lower RPM range. Above this the secondaries open and you can feel the difference in acceleration. If the linkage is broken only the rear bank of butterflies would open and you would have very little power in the upper RPM range compared to if they were working properly. First look at this then move on to possible IMRC failure and then plugged cats which are very expensive to change.

What you described sounds similar to my power loss. Is this something easy to check visually, or does much stuff have to come off to see it?
T