Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Request for help: Bucking that is less evident as rpms go up? More inside. Thanks!

Plugs and wires. I have a 2.5L SE 95 MTX, does the same thing every once in a while. Change the pluga and or wires, and there you have it... All better.

Our cars, Contours in general have an abusive nature as far as plugs are concerned.

Just my couple pennys...

Thanks guys for the input, I really appreciate it!

Update:

Well after struggling with the neatness factor of putting in oversized 9mm Ford motorsport plug wires and champion double-plat (.054 gap) plugs, it appears I have almost eliminated my bucking problems. I think to 100% cure it, I must adjust my 2ndary screw back to stock position, but there is hardly any bucking now. Very interesting on a 1 year old car (Actually 1 year, 9 months since creation) with just over 7000 miles on it... Well, thanks guys for your input (plus the research I did in SEARCH), it all helped.

I have been experiencing the same problem with my 1999 SVT and people think I am crazy. I have had such a fuel pressure drop caused by the bucking the car has even shut off. I've had the Mass Airflow sensor, fuel pump and control processor replaced by warranty and the car still bucks. Not to the same degree but enough to lose power and be really annoying. I keep taking it back to the dealership and they say nothing is wrong. I am stumped and so are they. I'm glad to know my car is not the only flukey car!! Please let me know if you have any other info on how to correct it! Thanks.

I think we need to define "Bucking", as some with MTXs have been accused of not knowing how to use a clutch. The "bucking" I am experiencing is with ATX, it is subtle, but annoying. For me it's intermittent, happening around 2000-2400 rpm, no matter what speed that translates into (could be accelorating or highway cruising). I posted my problem on General Forum as "Hiccuping", but no one responded with suggestions, other then to go to Problem area. So here I am. Any thoughts? BTW new plugs, new wires, all new motor mounts. None of theese were done to correct the problem, I just bought the car 3 weeks ago with 61,500, and had as few things to replace due to mileage and wear.

Thanks for the help!

Tweaker: Bucking clarification - it was occuring while in the correct gear and not right after clutch engagement; with agressive throttle postions after 50%. I would say clean the hell out of your intake track, check your TPS sensor for correct voltage, replace your fuel filter (if it hasnt already), check out the MAF sensor, and one other item to "make sure of" is to verify your plugs are gapped correctly and are at-least double-platinum plugs and that the wires are 8mm. (I got 9mm Ford motorsports.) Hope that gives you some avenues

Kate: I think the best thing to do is take your car to a EFI specialist who can take ride with you and do a running scan on your engine to see if your running lean, see what all your sensors are saying to the car's computer, if something is out of range, etc etc that would be a very good start I think - plus (in this case) you would'nt have to worry about a dealer-tech trying to screw you out of warranty work. I would also suggest (if you have the spare cash) doing what I did - get the Ford motorsport 9mm plug wires and the champion double-plat plugs (gapped at .054)... just to make sure it is'nt a problem (or contributing to the existing problem) with plug voltage getting to the plug or sparking accross it... I know you said you are having a fuel pressure drop - but has this been confirmed by a Ford tech during testing? If they do see an unsual fuel pressure reading, they see the problem and need to fix it. If this is all caused by fuel pressure, I would look for kinks in fuel line, make sure filter is clean (you had the pump replaced already, if I read your post right). I hope this somehow helps you.

Black Panther, Thank you so very very much for your reply and insight. I will pursue your suggestions further. Hopefully all will work out. Thanks again!!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Tweaker:
The "bucking" I am experiencing is with ATX, it is subtle, but annoying. For me it's intermittent, happening around 2000-2400 rpm, no matter what speed that translates into (could be accelorating or highway cruising). I posted my problem on General Forum as "Hiccuping"

Hi,

I experience the same "phenomenon" with my 2K SVT. I had become less aware of the problem until I replaced the stock air filter at 22,000 miles. It came back to my attention immediately. Very unsteady between 2k-3k rpm at light throttle or cruise. My "fix", install a ditry air filter! :rolleyes:
I don't experience any other "problems" and am completely in "love" with this car. I did have a fuel pump replaced early on but has been a wonderful ride ever since. My dash does show beginning signs of "curl" at the defroster vent...I think having the dash replaced though would create many more problems(rattles/squeaks). My MTX is a little difficult at times (winter) to engage 1st, even with the Ford recommended synthetic fluid. A little patience and "understanding", (clutch re-engagement) and treatment in general, as you would anything you appreciated, has rewarded me so far with a great appreciation for the machine.

...Ed

EdorFox: It seems alot of 2000 tours have this problem (Maybe other years too?). I have this problem; I say that because I thought I fixed it (seemed greatly reduced, almost not noticable) with replacing my wires and plugs (9mm and double-plats)but then after about 100 or so miles (after battery disconnect) and after agressively accelerating from a corner, my problem came back. Exactly the same problem as first described in this post and throughout it. During my research, I have taken a test ride with EFI-tech (armed with a OBD-II a scanner) and found same results: tip-in retard brings it to sometimes -1 degrees timing, no knock counts, IAT temp seems nominal, engine temp 192, no lean condition, etc etc. I did find something that may be of some use - I posted in this forum about TSB 01-1-4. It requires a prom recalibration to reduce the chance of spark knock/misfire (it may be what we are experiencing - I just dont know). Anyway, I am constantly looking for new avenues on this. I'll post anything I come up with here and in PROBLEMS forum. TtEl.

Boy, an SVT Contour is a hell of a car to develop your manual transmission skills on. I learned to drive a manual on a 69 VW Bus. Your car is relatively new so this may not be the problem but, after driving my 95 reasonably hard (85-95+ cruising) across the country and back, I fried a bare spot in the wire leading to the TPS, causing it to short out. Talk about bucking and kicking! This was consistent though, and you couldn't dirve it hard enough to get the revs up very high.