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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8 |
My wife has a 1998 4 cylinder that has developed a hesitation. The car starts and cruises fine, especially since it has 204,000 miles on it, but hesitates when pressing the gas pedal when idling. I'm looking for some ideas on what to check so I don't waste more time than I need to. If someone can help or you need more details, let me know either here or by e-mail.
Thanks,
Tim
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,408
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,408 |
Welcome to CEG!
How old is the timing belt?
How are the plugs and wires?
Use a meter and check the TPS for continuity and smoothness.
Check the fuel pressure response to load.
Clean the MAF sensing element.
If you don't find anything, we can go from there.
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" -George Santayana
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 392
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 392 |
It sounds to me like misfire. Try putting the transmission in drive, holding the brakes and applying gas shot. If you feel rumbling or hesitation you should check the spark plugs.
Also, using spray water, put some water on the spark plugs wires while the engine is on. Go over the wires with a screwdriver, if you see spark you need to replace the spark plugs wires.
Nic.
Contour 99 MTX V6 fully loaded, stock with 110000km. Illuminated sunroof switch. About to do the mystique rear dome light conversion with eyeball dome light.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8 |
Thanks for the reply. The timing belt was changed about 50,000 miles ago and, if I remember correctly, my mechanic replaced the plugs and wires after discovering an oil leak from the valve cover was filling up the plug holes and causing a misfire. I will check the TPS, MAF sensor, and fuel pressure (if I can) this Saturday. The car's been retired from daily driving after several years of commuting but we still use her as a second car on weekends.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Tim
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8 |
I think I've already got the misfire possibility covered. The plugs and wires have been replaced recently and it doesn't feel like a misfire at all. I'll double check though. Thanks.
Tim
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8 |
I believe I have success. I removed (much easier than checking in place) and checked the TPS and checked the smoothness of the resistance change. I first used a digital meter and didn't like the way that worked and thought I saw a rough spot anyway. I then used an old analog meter and everything worked good. I reinstalled that and checked the MAF elements. That looked good so I put everything back together. Something I did must have fixed the problem because now I have no hesitation. Even the transmission seems to shift better (might be my imagination though). For a car with just over 200,000 miles she runs really good now.
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.
Tim
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,085
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,085 |
You may have removed corrosion from the electrical connection. Spray your connections with a good Electrical Cleaner.
2012 Lotus Evora
---------
95 Mystique MTX - GONE 395,000 Kms
--------- Both Zetecs
'97 Contour Mtx - stock - GONE
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8 |
I still have a bit of hesitation although it's mostly when cold. If someone could tell me how to check fuel pressure, I'll check that. Does anyone think it could still be the TPS since the car has over 200K miles? It could be that when I was fiddling with it, running it from stop to stop, that it cleaned up some but not all the way. It also cut off on my son the other day while he was at a light but that's the only time it's done that.
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