Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Just as you suddenly tip the gas

Just as you do so , my car ( ZETEC ATX) makes this noise much like a truck when it first starts to move you know that clunky diesel engaging sound? While driving it happens when the engine is loaded and I suddenly release the gas and press back quickly.. it happens both in reverse or forward gear? the catch is sudden gas with a load..eg stopped car or uphill..etc

Fuel filter?

replaced fuel filter, plgs and wires over the past year. The sound is more like a mechanical engagement noise. ..Much like when a heavy dieseltruck sounds on initial take off..if you know what I mean .

Does it feel like the car is tied to something when this happens? Like with a big rubber band. It will go really slow and the intake note will be very deep. Then all of the sudden it goes?

ExDelayed:

I can't stand suspense; if he answers yes to your questions what's likely cause - tranny?

EXDelayed, well that's another thing.. what you describe is usually associated with what sounds like an intake moose, but rather low pitched and choked.. then as you press a bit deeper on the gas or shift down things improve like you said.. this usually happens on and off, like once every week or so. but the other thing I am decribing is different it is like a crackle, a clunky crack in the gear or the drive train somehwat but not the drive shafts for sure this one is different. any clues?

Might be ping. My 'tour pings like that after being on the highway for a couple of hours. I pulled into a rest stop and stopped at a stop sign, hit the gas, the pinging sounded like a a bunch of loose nuts in a coffee can. After sitting a while it doesn't happen. I sometimes get it with "cheap" gas too.

Try a tank of high test or octane booster or regane. If it goes away its ping.