Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Engine running poor

1995 Contour LX 6cyl, 52,000 miles - the engine just started acting like it misses.
It is very obvious when the a/c is on and the car is in gear. Doesn't matter if a/c on or not though.
Very hard to tell when the car is idling in Park.
Normal driving speeds the car seems to run fine.
I do notice a slight hesitation when taking off from a dead stop.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

OK so this morning the car started "missing" or hesitating at normal driving speed (about 30-35mph). Any ideas?

I am not sure if I can help, but here are some suggestions...

If the car were truly "missing", I believe that your CEL should light up or at least blink. Do you have a CEL? If so, then you need to get it read, and then post the code on the boards for advice. I hear that Autozone reads CELs for free.

Is the RPM fluctuating when your car is "missing"? If so, when was the last time you changed the fuel filter? You might want to try and get a bottle of Chevron Techron fuel cleaner. Add it to your next tank of gas. It will help clean the fuel lines and system. This might help your problem.

Although the mileage is relatively low for a 95, there is a lot of time on the plugs/wires, so I would replace these. (Double platinmu plugs) A cleaning of the intake behind the throttle body and checking all the vacuum hoses leading to/from the 'accordian' tube should help clear up intake problems/leaks. The fuel filter ($10) and some injector cleaner are also good ideas.

I recently bought the car from a retired lady. She had the plugs replaced at 42,000 about a year ago but not the wires. Today I put in some of that Techron additive and filled the tank with premium gas. The tachometer does not fluctuate when the engine "misses." I will try replacing the fuel filter and see what that does and also let the Techron additive to its thing. Thanks for the advice - I will keep you posted on the outcome.

I had the same problem. Mechanic diagnosed clogged fuel injectors, sticking throttle body, and bad fuel filter. I drove away, and it was still running like crap. I pulled in to the local parts store, bought $39 wires, replaced them myself and the problem's gone. IT'S THE WIRES!!!!!

Been having this trouble too. My Contour had its plugs changed for the first time at 200,000 km. It was actually running quite well until then. Now, I get the exact same symptoms "rgthoma" describes.

The plugs and fuel filter were changed... but not the wires. Since then, I have changed the wires (Motorcraft 9mm).

Last weekend I cleaned the EGR passages after removing the throttle plate. They weren't so bad. I also just added some injector cleaner.

What seems to be happening is the engine senses unburned gas and goes to full lean. Then it loses a lot of power and has trouble going up hills. (Especially with the a/c on). I don't get any CEL light, flashing or solid. Just a stumbling when going up hills in fourth at city speeds.

But, since cleaning the EGR passages and adding the injector cleaner, it does seem to be running better. At least the problem happens less often.. and when the car is running well, it runs very well.

We'll see after the full tank of gas is run through.

- Randall

Same problem with my 96, put on new set of wires and ran like a champ!