Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Frustrating problem

Ok my problem seems similar to a few i have seen here but not exactly the same.

My problem: out of nowhere last week my contour (98 SE 4cyl zetec) was bogging way down in lower RPMs. to be more exact if i gunned it it would do damn near nothing then pickup and take off in the higher RPMs. at this time my check engine light came on, so i figured i would take it to auto zone the next day to get the code pulled up. well tomarrow came and it wouldnt start!! long story short i changed the plugs, cables, coil, camshaft pos. sensor, crankshaft pos. sensor, and the fuel filter. well the crank pos. sensor was the last thing i replaced and sure enough she started. however i still have the problem with it bogging down, and the check engine light is still on (imagine my frustration) so i run and get the code pulled up and it was something along the lines of ignition failure? or misfire? (sorry i dont remember exactly what it was)

did i miss something? its odd that it was able to start and keep running for 2 days now and im still having the same problem.

any help would be greatly appreciated

Welcome . Go and get it scanned again and post the codes. How many miles?

ill get it scanned again tomarrow and ill post it.

it has 117,000 miles.

oh and dunno if its just coincidence but i had just gotten gas at a little ma&pa shop here in town thats not exactly known for its high quality gas. i got about 10 miles after i got thier gas before it started acting up.

Put a bottle of fuel stabilizer in the tank and see if it helps.

beleieve it or not that was the first thing i did (forgot to mention) right when i found it wouldnt start. im still hoping as i drive it more that it will fix it.

oh, any suggestions on what kind to use? i just used good ol seafoam.

Seafoam is fine (if it says "stabilizes fuel" on it). Let the tank go to half, then fill up with 89 (at a reputable station) and see if it helps.

Ok as an update. The problem has gotten worse. like i said its still ok when your doing in town driving you cant tell, its when you give it the gas it just wont go,(like getting on the freeway or passing) it sounds like it is and shifts like it is theres just no power whatsoever. however it idles real smooth i would say even smoother than before all of this started.

now that all of that questionable gas is out im left stumped. so i went back to autozone and got the diagnostics and it printed out "Ignition problem or misfire" now i installed my plugs 4 months before this started could that be the problem? and if so why would changing out the crank pos. sensor make it start again?

any help would be greatly appreciated as im just freakin clueless.

Hi, have you considered checking out the PCV system? I think that's it's possible for the PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation)filter to clog up after time, especially if there is any kind of bypass of oil into the system. 117k isn't much mileage nowadays but it's still very possible, and if the PCV is OEM(original equipment)it really wouldn't hurt to change it anyway. You mentioned that the car would function fine when driving in the city, but bogged down when you "gave it the gas", try to steadily bring up your speed, maybe 40-45 mph,then gas it until it downshifts into the passing gear again. Check your fuel pressure too. You can hook it up to the schrader valve on the fuel rail, and the pressure tester is inexpensive tool from auto zone. Your pump might be OK for normal driving but not providing enough pressure when you need it. Of course the sucky part of all these new cars is all of the damned sensors. Good luck!!
JIM