I think the Mustang is misfiring :(

"ktfright | Kinja Neighborhood Black Guy" (ktfright)
09/20/2015 at 20:35 • Filed to: new edge mustang, mustang, 99-04 mustang, mustang gt

My New Edge Mustang GT (2000) has be having issues since this morning, and now its accelerating poorly and has a shitty idle. I tried taking it to both my local Auto Zone and O’Reillys, but both refused to scan my car to check for any codes (I think its maybe a California issue.) First day of work is tomorrow, so hopefully it can survive, or magically dissapear by tommorow morning.

I’ve been learning baby steps on how to maintain my car, but other than bondo and body work, I know dink about any engine stuff. Hopefully my mechanic can fix it for a decent price.

DISCUSSION (28)

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > ktfright | Kinja Neighborhood Black Guy
09/20/2015 at 20:40

I’d check spark plugs first, just to rule them out.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > ktfright | Kinja Neighborhood Black Guy
09/20/2015 at 20:42

That model year still has the SOHC 4.6 V8, yes?

A misfire is pretty obvious on that engine; you’re gonna get a lot of shaking at idle and 40mph+. Most likely it’s going to be a bad plug/coil on cylinders 4, 7, or 8.

YOU DONT NEED A MECHANIC! Find somebody to read the codes; swapping in a new plug or coil is child’s play.

Fixing the underlying issue, though, is going to be a bit tricky. Most likely leaky intake manifold.

ktfright | Kinja Neighborhood Black Guy > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
09/20/2015 at 20:45

Yup, thats the one!

And thanks, I’m texting everyone I know who may possibly have one, If not, I just gotta wait until payday from my last job on Thursday.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > ktfright | Kinja Neighborhood Black Guy
09/20/2015 at 20:47

If you can't find anyone, I have a bunch of coils and plugs from a CVPI that I'd be willing to part with for a song. I'm fairly certain they're the same parts for the Mustang. I'm in PA though, so shipping might take a minute ;)

PS9 > ktfright | Kinja Neighborhood Black Guy
09/20/2015 at 20:50

Kinja'd!!!

Upgrade time.

deekster_caddy > ktfright | Kinja Neighborhood Black Guy
09/20/2015 at 20:53

Is the check engine light on? At minimum you should have a basic OBD-II code reader.

ktfright | Kinja Neighborhood Black Guy > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
09/20/2015 at 20:54

Thanks haha, I’ll keep you posted!

Boss2452stolemylunchmoney > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
09/20/2015 at 20:56

Could also be fuel pump...

Needmoargarage > ktfright | Kinja Neighborhood Black Guy
09/20/2015 at 20:59

My car (also w/ the SOHC 4.6) always misfires whenever water gets into the engine compartment. Due to the design of the engine, water can pool in the spark plug wells and causes all sorts of problems. Luckily, due to this design, plugs are incredibly easy to change as well. 99% of the time, my misfire problems have been solved by changing plugs and/or taking the ignition system apart and putting it back together.

To add to BrianGriffin’s comment, in addition to added vibration of the engine, you will experience a massive loss of power. The code reader will almost certainly just tell you which cylinders in particular are misfiring.

Good luck!

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Boss2452stolemylunchmoney
09/20/2015 at 20:59

That’s true, though in my Ford experience the fuel pumps are either alive/dead, they don’t die slow deaths, but YMMV. May also be a fuel filter.

Urambo Tauro > ktfright | Kinja Neighborhood Black Guy
09/20/2015 at 21:03

Several things it could be. As previously mentioned, intake manifold, spark plugs... could also be due to bad fuel pressure from the pump or regulator. Other possibilities include the MAF or IAC.

Don’t throw parts at it. Check the fuel pressure; check for spark. I highly recommend joining a message board like MustangForums or AllFordMustangs for help.

JGrabowMSt > ktfright | Kinja Neighborhood Black Guy
09/20/2015 at 21:04

Misfire should throw a CEL. Do you have an Advanced Auto? I’ve never heard of a parts store refuse to scan codes...

Hop on amazon and buy yourself a bluetooth code reader for like $20 just to have for the future. Pull the spark plugs and check the gaps and check your oil level and also have you stopped at a shady gas station lately? Bad gas can cause lots of problems as well.

Urambo Tauro > JGrabowMSt
09/20/2015 at 21:08

OBD-II won’t always detect misfiring. I’ve seen loose spark plugs cause a car to shudder without ever tripping the CEL.

ktfright | Kinja Neighborhood Black Guy > JGrabowMSt
09/20/2015 at 21:11

Nope, not one out here in the South Bay Cali area, just Pep-Boys, O’Reillys, Harbor Freight and Auto Zone. I’m definitely getting a CEL, and it was even blinking at one point.

Funny thing, I was literally on amazon as I saw your reply haha, and I haven’t been to any gas station for about a week. My old job was so close to my house that I really didnt burn too much gas. thanks for the tips, I’ll definitely try that.

ktfright | Kinja Neighborhood Black Guy > Urambo Tauro
09/20/2015 at 21:11

Thanks, and will do.

Boss2452stolemylunchmoney > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
09/20/2015 at 21:14

I had a few that did the slow death route. But those were late 80’s Fords. My only Ford with returnless fuel system is way too new fire issues like this.

ktfright | Kinja Neighborhood Black Guy > PS9
09/20/2015 at 21:14

Oh baby!

JGrabowMSt > Urambo Tauro
09/20/2015 at 21:14

I wouldn’t call a loose plug a misfire though. Misfire is from the plug not firing correctly. If the plug is loose (not the coil pack or wiring, but physically not tightened) then it’ll fire correctly, but then you’d have a detonation issue...

ktfright | Kinja Neighborhood Black Guy > deekster_caddy
09/20/2015 at 21:15

I’m searching on amazon as we speak, as the local one are out of my price range at the moment.

JGrabowMSt > ktfright | Kinja Neighborhood Black Guy
09/20/2015 at 21:16

Flashing CEL is a big deal. Do you know if your dash supports displaying trouble codes? Search for doing something called the Key Dance or P Code dance with the key to show you the active fault codes.

Either way, very big deal. How far away is the new job?

ktfright | Kinja Neighborhood Black Guy > Needmoargarage
09/20/2015 at 21:16

Thanks a ton!

ktfright | Kinja Neighborhood Black Guy > JGrabowMSt
09/20/2015 at 21:30

It flashed for a bit in the morning, but since then it has stayed solid. the job is 14 miles away in Santa Monica :/

I doubt it has those options for the dash.

JGrabowMSt > ktfright | Kinja Neighborhood Black Guy
09/20/2015 at 21:39

Search anyway, you’d be surprised.

My Neon had it...

SPNKiX > ktfright | Kinja Neighborhood Black Guy
09/20/2015 at 23:22

LS swap. Solved.

ktfright | Kinja Neighborhood Black Guy > JGrabowMSt
09/21/2015 at 00:58

Just skated to my car to try it, but it didn’t work for me. I saw a few videos of people doing it with other cars beforehand, but not with any fords, let alone a mustang.

JGrabowMSt > ktfright | Kinja Neighborhood Black Guy
09/21/2015 at 08:33

http://www.mustangworld.com/ourpics/fcar/d…

Nearly all modern cars have this feature somehow, give this a shot when you get a chance.

ktfright | Kinja Neighborhood Black Guy > JGrabowMSt
09/21/2015 at 11:02

I tried this morning, but it still didn’t seem to work for me. I’m just gonna pick a reader up this week.

deekster_caddy > ktfright | Kinja Neighborhood Black Guy
09/21/2015 at 11:40

If the check engine light isn’t on, there’s nothing to scan for except some historical codes. If the light IS on, you can see what’s active. If the check engine light is flashing, you have something serious like an active misfire...