Originally posted by XKontour98:
I know this post is old but I though tI would see if anyone could help me out. I have the same bucking problem, always when at 1/4 tank or less. Usually it is when I go to step on it she starts bucking like crazy and has almost got me killed when trying to pass on a 2 lane hiway. Thing is I had the fuel pump and sock filter replaced like 10K ago and the fuel filter, plugs and wires replaced all this summer. Do you think it could be a bad pump again? I bought it from auto zone and Had to pay to get it installed because I am at college and have to tools or equipment to work with. I swear Ford cannot make a reliable car if its life depended on it, but somehow I still love my car. -frustrated



This probably sounds like a broken record but here goes; the Contour engines are very plug sensitive, and what's weird is the plug problem normally takes a while to develop, so it's not a problem that your mind brings up, since normally new plugs help tune-ups. But in the case of the Zetec and the Duratec, the plugs can go bad a month or two after they're installed. You must have the Motorcraft, fine wire, low resistance plugs, and you need to be very, very careful when installing them, since for some reason unknown to me they're very easy to break. And even then it takes days, weeks or months for that problem to rear it's ugly head. I had the same problem 6 weeks after installing new Autolites, then again 3 days after installing another set of new Autolites, then again a month after installing 4 new Motorcrafts. The Motorcrafts were the correct plug, but I cracked the insulators as I installed them. How I do not know, but they were definitely cracked. I paid the dealer $160 to diagnose the problem, but so far, so good, no bucking. But before you go any farther, check your plugs, if they're not Motorcrafts get them, if they are new Motorcrafts pull em out and look at the insulaotrs, they may be cracked. Hope this helps.

Ken, 99 Silver Frost SE Zetec Atx, polished alloys, Kumho's, Pioneer hi power CD/AM/FM. Factory spoiler (added) Audi side lites, Borla stainless steel muff. Stolen, recovered in pieces. Looking for another Tour, preferably V6, 5 speed.