Bad Idle and poor performance - 08/17/06 04:51 AM
I have an automatic, 2.0L, 1999 FORD CONTOUR LX.
Last year I floored it on the freeway, broke something, and had to have the cam and idler pulleys replaced along with the timing belt. Since that time I have had problems with the car's pick up and idle. It seems that the car has no torque anymore and is prone to stuttering.
When I took it into the Mercury dealership the car was knocking badly and the check engine light was on. After they diagnosed it they said the problem was with the pulleys and it was running rich. After they fixed it the knock was gone, but it was running rough. I took it back and I suspect the richened the mix and disconnected my check engine light. They said I probably had a bad environmental sensor and discouraged me from trying to find out why my car was running rich to begin with.
I now want to sell the car, but what was once a great running vehicle looses power when I accelerate fast and altogether doesn't have the power it once had. I lifted the hood to check the idle and found that it will idle fine for a couple of minutes, then it seems to miss, I hear some knocking, and then it goes back to idling fine. I have had the carb cleaned and now I don't know where to go. Please help! Where should I start? I live in NW Arkansas and all the dealers here seem to be sharks. If need be, I will film the cars idle and post it for people to see.
Last year I floored it on the freeway, broke something, and had to have the cam and idler pulleys replaced along with the timing belt. Since that time I have had problems with the car's pick up and idle. It seems that the car has no torque anymore and is prone to stuttering.
When I took it into the Mercury dealership the car was knocking badly and the check engine light was on. After they diagnosed it they said the problem was with the pulleys and it was running rich. After they fixed it the knock was gone, but it was running rough. I took it back and I suspect the richened the mix and disconnected my check engine light. They said I probably had a bad environmental sensor and discouraged me from trying to find out why my car was running rich to begin with.
I now want to sell the car, but what was once a great running vehicle looses power when I accelerate fast and altogether doesn't have the power it once had. I lifted the hood to check the idle and found that it will idle fine for a couple of minutes, then it seems to miss, I hear some knocking, and then it goes back to idling fine. I have had the carb cleaned and now I don't know where to go. Please help! Where should I start? I live in NW Arkansas and all the dealers here seem to be sharks. If need be, I will film the cars idle and post it for people to see.
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