Originally posted by buzzclip31:
The amount of gas in the tank does not matter. I know there is a recall on the feul pump, but i've called ford and they said my car is not included. I have not changed the plugs/wires. Should probably do that, but none of this started until the car jumped timing and the sensor was replaced.



Recall is secondary. If the pump is failing or filter sock in the tank clogged, you'll get symptoms. As for the plug/wire issues, many things get moved or disturbed (intentionally or otherwise) when work you described is done on the car. It is possible that a plug/wire was not secured or even damaged during the process. I realize you have the Zetec, but on the V-6, it is not uncommon for the wires to be mis-routed. Odd, unexpected things like that can happen under the hood of a car if a mechanic is careless for just one moment. My interest is to get you back on the road, and it only makes sense to try the cheap fixes first.

Based on your descriptions so far, my money is on the plugs/wires. Sounds like a bad misfire. If they're due for replacement anyway, it will cost you nothing extra to get them done now. You can easily do it yourself in less than an hour and save a chunk of change. Enough to buy yourself a Haynes manual so you can double check the plug routing yourself. Pay particular attention to the brand of plugs & wires because these cars are picky about those. Check the stickies at the top of the Mainenance section & the FAQs on the main site to guide you to the proper equipment & procedures.

Do the symptoms happen in all gears, or in a particular gear at a specific speed range?

I'm sorry your mechanics are playing a guessing game with your money. Bad business practices these days...


Must be that jumbly-wumbly thing happening again.