Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting High fuel pressure, bucking, jerking

Hello,

I have been having a problem with bucking, jerking, while at constant speed and when taking off from a stop. The constant speed bucking, jerking happens when a little gas is applied. It goes away if the pedal is pushed further (almost floored). I checked the fuel pressure at idle and I get 42.5 (high) the manual says it should be (27.5 - 33.5)

My question is, is this more likely the pressure regulator or a clogged return line? The book says to check for a clogged return line and proceed to check the pressure regulator. I am wondering because I don't want to have to take off the upper intake manifold to get at the pressure regulator. Do these go bad frequently? Would fuel system cleaner fix the clogged return line if there was one? Has anyone else had this before?

Any help is appreicated, sorry for the long post.

as I seem to remeber the actual pressure was higher then what the service manal stated, and the number of times it has been wrong on other small things i thought nothing of it

I did see on alldata that the pressure was a bit higher but that was using the scan tool to run a pressure test from the computer. (it runs the fuel pump at Key on Engine Off) and allows you to check pressure that way. I would assume the pressure would be different with the scan test when with normal idle engine on. Does anyone know the correct pressure for idle?

'98 Contour Sport V6 2.5L DOHC

Those symptons are identical to the problem I'm having, including a loss of power. Could be your Cat is plugged; mine was replaced last year, but I fear it has plugged again.

Thanks,

I will have to check that out. Do you know about how much it costed? Did you do it yourself?

Had a local mechanic do it for just over $300 - to replace just the main cat. But if it is plugged, you must find out what plugged it; otherwise you'll plug it again.