Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting car loses power below half tank of gas

Whenever my tank gets below a half, at around 3500 to 4000 rpm, the engine seems to rev down and almost stop, then the car will jerk a little bit like it is out of fuel. Sometimes when I shift up a gear it will go away but other times I have to shift up 2 or even 3 gears to make the car run normal. I thought it might be the fuel sending unit or sediment in the tank, but I am not sure.

If it's a 99+ with returnless it's the fuel pump. Check FAQ for Focus SVT pump install.

If not returneless, SEARCH for "Dirty Socks"

We ain't psychic, you have to tell us what year, engine, and transmission you have.


Steve

thanks guys. I was thinking it was the fuel pump. It happened again today twice on the ride home. It's under warranty so I am heading back to the dealer.

I have similar problem with my 1999 Contour, zetec 2.0 liter, with automatic transmission. When fuel tank gets below half, the cas will occasionally stumble, especially on hard acceleration. I thought it was dirty gas, but several cans of gas dewater/cleaner/treatment later there is no improvement. You think that I need a new fuel pump or is it just a plugged-up fuel filter?

Your input will be appreciated.

Make yourself familiar with this FAQ.

Confirm that you have the returnless system. The easiest way is to look at the fuel rail. The returnless has only one line from the tank. The return style has two.

http://www.contour.org/mods/mods.php?s=howto&displayid=39

Take a good look at the very last photo. Often the main problem is just that this filter screen is plugged. If it is, and the tank is reasonably clean inside, remove the filter and throw it away. It isn't needed. There is another sock type filer inside the fuel pump module. Some engineer had his head up his *** when he came up with this design.

There is a recall for later Cougars (01 and 02 I think), but not yours. The recall provides for a completely redesigned pump that Ford pays for. Similar thing on some Foci.

Even if you do end up replacing the pump, throw away the bottom filter screen.

A less expensive alternative to replacing the whole pump module is to replace the pump only part using a Focus SVT pump which can be bought seperately. Some modifications are needed and a search should help you find the details if needed.

Regardless of what you end up doing about the pump and pump silter screen, change the normal in line filter too.

I'll agree with everyone else - Our 2000 Mystique LS (V6) did precisely the same thing at around 70k. Fuel Pump.

Check his sig., he has a 2k svt and his problem is the fuel pump. I had to recently replace mine, saved over $300 in labor by doing it myself. Which in the end turned out to be quite humorus since it literally took me 45 minutes to do by following the how-to. Hardest part was triming out the access hole under the back seat, and that was not even difficult.