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Joined: Mar 2002
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OP
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4 |
Hi all, I just bought an SVT Contour a few weeks ago, and had the time of my life for about a week. Then it seemed like everything started to fall apart. The car began dying at every other stoplight when the clutch was pushed in. Then the check engine light came on. I took it to the local Ford dealer, and they said that the manifolds were shot and needed to be replaced ($350 each!!). Also a new throttle body, two new O2 sensors, and a new MAF. The estimate (including labor) came to around $1800. I love my car and dont' want to sell it, but I can honestly not afford these repairs. I was hoping perhaps someone on here knew something that the Ford Service folk didn't, which wouldn't surprise me much! Thanks in advance,
NC
98 Black E0 Svt Contour #1655
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 154
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Don't know about your throttle body, but you could punch out the pre-cat material in the manifolds...Free if you do it yourself. Find ou how by searching the forums. Depending on what emissions testing you have, either replace your main cat, or punch it out too. 2 02 sensors cost about $52-$100 each depending on where you buy them. I know Brad Noon could probably sell you a set of "modified" manifolds. I would do the free fixes first, and see if it doesn't help, then work from there.
95 mystique LS, High Output Cougar S (SVT) 2.5L engine & MTX75
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Joined: Mar 2002
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Thanks for your advice, DWH, I might just have to try that. A few more things I forgot to add in earlier...in addition to the stalling, I just noticed that I am also getting approximately 16 mpg, which is timed quite nicely with the rising gas prices. 16 MILES PER GALLON!!! What is wrong with my car???!!! Someone please help, it stalls, a check engine light is on, it gets worse and worse gas mileage....there has to be something I can do short of buying a new engine, right??
thanks for your time,
NC
98 Black E0 Svt Contour #1655
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Joined: Apr 2002
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in addition to the stalling, I just noticed that I am also getting approximately 16 mpg, which is timed quite nicely with the rising gas prices. 16 MILES PER GALLON!!! What is wrong with my car???!!!
Do you drive mostly in the city? If not
I'd be looking for a fuel leak.
SteveL
SteveL
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Joined: Jun 2001
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If you don't find a fuel leak, I'd look at possibly replacing 02 sensors.
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Joined: Mar 2002
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Believe me, a plugged cat or precats can be a major part of most of the problems you mentioned. Eliminate those out of the equation, and then figure out what else is wrong. Plugged cats will cause a severe lack of power, poor fuel milage, funky smells, strange noises, and they certainly aren't good for engine longevity. Your car could be stalling due to the backpressure buildup... Remember Beverly Hills Cop?
95 mystique LS, High Output Cougar S (SVT) 2.5L engine & MTX75
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Joined: Aug 2000
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Change your gas filter and check for a plugged cat (not precat).
98.5 SE Sport badgeless, MTX, KKM, SVT exhaust with resonator intact.
1985 Z51 Vette with many mods. Only used when the Tour appears to be outclassed.
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