Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Is something clogged?

Sometimes in 1st or 2nd gear in heavy acceleration it seems that the car won't accelerate properly and staggers. The only way I could describe it is that it seems like something is clogged and not making everything flow properly to accelerate efficently. It actually makes the car jolt like I am pressing and releasing the gas pedal. Anyone experienced this and know what it could be? I have about 34000 miles on it and get it serviced reguarely .

anyone?

are your secondaries opening?
Might try a bottle of techron and a clean air filter.
Others have cleaned their throttle bodys as well.

Sound like possibly a clogged fuel filter or bad plugs/wires. If it idles smoothly and doesn't miss or stutter when you rev the engine, I would suspect the fuel filter. Any CEL or other clues?

This sounds quite similiar to the problem I'm having with my '00 SVT. Has a hesitation/staggering, but it's intermittant. Most noticeable at lower rpm's (under 3700). I've checked plugs/wires, sensors, and am going to try replacing my fuel filter (again). That was replaced a few k's ago.
One other person mentioned fuel pump strainer or pressure regulator, I'm kind of hoping it's nothing that serious.

Tim
'00 SVT

Had a similar problem with my '96 contour. Turned out the spark plug wires needed replaced.

I started having the same symptoms this week. Bog down around 3k RPMs and thrown CEL. Took it in and they said I need a new fuel pressure regulator.

JE

Even if the fuel pump strainer needed to be replaced, there is an access door under the back seat. You could get to it fairly easily there.

Check the wires and plugs. I chased a stumbling problem around my engine compartment last month. I wasn't throwing a CEL so I had no clues to go off of, just that it felt like timing. I even went so far as to check the alignment of the cams! The exhaust cam was off a tooth, but it didn't change the stumbling. I kept ruling out my new (in Jan) MSD wires. Just for ****s and giggles I tried a new set of Autolites and the car ran perfectly. The only time it will stumble now is if I am in traffic, the car is hot, and the intake gets heatsoaked (no bottom on the airbox).