Is my engine dying?

[Twista]

I posted in the tech section but not much activity there from some people i think would know other solutions.

So, after changing midpipes for emissions my car developed a stuttering Putt putt hestation down low in the rpms. Even if i try to gun the engine i get the putt putt sound out of my exhaust pipes. You can hear it pretty good inside.. What the hell would cause a car to PUTT PUTT???


What the hell is causing this? I have no power down low because of the putt putt and i doubt changing the midpipe would cause this. I brought some new o2 sensors which are on the UPS truck right now.


Im going crazy because i need my car working. I already cleaned the MAF and changed the air filter. The fuel filter is maybe 3 years old. The rest has been on the car for over 4.5 years of me owning it.


Soultions please? Could spark plugs cause this kind of putt putt? Or what?
If it is the spark plugs than can a noob change them without freaking anything up?

GOD :BangHead: :BangHead: :BangHead: :angry4: :angry4: :angry4: :angry4:

 

[MustangChris]

putt putt = exhaust leak check at the collector. if your o2s arent getting an accurate reading due to the exhaust leaking out of the collector joint, you may not be getting the performance you need.

id check for leaks and make sure none of your header bolts have backed out.

 

[Twista]

putt putt = exhaust leak check at the collector. if your o2s arent getting an accurate reading due to the exhaust leaking out of the collector joint, you may not be getting the performance you need.

id check for leaks and make sure none of your header bolts have backed out.

Well i dont see how i have a leak there unless i installed the gasket wrong both times.

There a flat part on 1 side of the gasket and there is a side with the rubber lip.

I have the rubber lip part inside the header itself.. which it fits... so that has to be right? I had exhaust leaks before @ header and never had this problem. Which is why im starting to think its something else not relating to the exhaust. Im thinking i just need a tune up and i hope so. Spark plugs will be the 1st. Hopefully they arent hard to install.

 

[MustangChris]

i used a generic gasket and it leaked on mine. i had to get a ford-specific one.

also, my drivers side header was held on by 3 bolts... so you can imagine how my sound and performance was. lol.

spark plugs might be a good way to go. if i remember correctly, you have a 5.0, right? they arent too bad... if you have a 4.6 inspect the threads of the spark plug holes to make sure they arent giving out. if they are, you may shoot a spark plug out soon! 4.6s are notorious for this. its probably a good idea to check the 5.0 threads too, since youre there...

 

[Twista]

i used a generic gasket and it leaked on mine. i had to get a ford-specific one.

also, my drivers side header was held on by 3 bolts... so you can imagine how my sound and performance was. lol.

spark plugs might be a good way to go. if i remember correctly, you have a 5.0, right? they arent too bad... if you have a 4.6 inspect the threads of the spark plug holes to make sure they arent giving out. if they are, you may shoot a spark plug out soon! 4.6s are notorious for this. its probably a good idea to check the 5.0 threads too, since youre there...

=[ this is my 2nd ford gasket on there so i doubt its leaking from there. I have a 97 GT... If i cant do the spark plugs myself than whats a good price for a shop to do it? I dont wanna get jipped.

 

[Matt94GT]

Do the plugs yourself...

I doubt its the exhaust leak, ive had plenty and have never had 'major' power issues.

 

[Twista]

I should buy the pre gapped spark plugs? What kind of tools do i need? I only have the basic like a socket wrench =[

 

[Matt94GT]

you could but gapping them is easy, trust me...easy.

 

[19mustang95]

a gapping tool will cost you $0.99... if you have never changed your spark plugs or wires, you should. and replace your fuel filter, it is long overdue. if you have an exhaust leak, you will hear it. put your hand down by the connection and see if you feel the leak. should be quite noticeable to you then.

 

[Twista]

i Think im going to buy the pregapped one to just this done and over with with no problems. Do i need any special tools?

 

[Matt94GT]

maybe a plug extension for your socket set but im not sure on the 4.6s.

 

[Twista]

maybe a plug extension for your socket set but im not sure on the 4.6s.

thanks heading to autozone in my putting mustang =]

 

[Matt94GT]

maybe a plug extension for your socket set but im not sure on the 4.6s.

thanks heading to autozone in my putting mustang =]

good luck man.

 

[1996mustangGT]

you need some extensions and a knukle.

 

[Twista]

ONE IMPORTANT THING I FORGOT 2 MENTION:
If i bog the engine on purpose by shifting to a high gear @ 2 low speed.. the car REALLY and i mean REALLY sputters and hesitates. Does this still sound like spark plugs?

The same kind of extensions when changing the midpipe right? And i dunno what a knuckle is lol (a swivel??)

Also, the guy said these are gapped already. Is this true?? It looks different from the gapped ones so im just gonna return them for the pregapped Bosch ones.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/parts/partsProduct.jsp?itemIdentifier=29027_0_0_&skuDescription=Splitfire-Platinum+/+Spark+Plug&brandName=Splitfire-Platinum&displayName=SparkPlug&categoryNValue=14299999&sortType=&store=5248&isSearchByPartNumber=&fromWhere=&fromString=&itemId=prod61187&navValue=14200033&filterByKeyWord=&productId=29027&appQuestionText=&searchText=&categoryDisplayName=&parentId=cat30056&questions=[]

 

[Matt94GT]

that sounds like a spark/fuel problem. I was getting all sorts of odd problems like backfiring, hesitating, bogging, sudden spurts of power and it turned out to be my dizzy.

 

[MustangChris]

i used a generic gasket and it leaked on mine. i had to get a ford-specific one.

also, my drivers side header was held on by 3 bolts... so you can imagine how my sound and performance was. lol.

spark plugs might be a good way to go. if i remember correctly, you have a 5.0, right? they arent too bad... if you have a 4.6 inspect the threads of the spark plug holes to make sure they arent giving out. if they are, you may shoot a spark plug out soon! 4.6s are notorious for this. its probably a good idea to check the 5.0 threads too, since youre there...

=[ this is my 2nd ford gasket on there so i doubt its leaking from there. I have a 97 GT... If i cant do the spark plugs myself than whats a good price for a shop to do it? I dont wanna get jipped.

spark plugs are simple. it will be easier if you take off your strut tower and intake pipe. $45.00 is a resonable price for a shop if you supply the plugs, the anti-sieze and the electrical die-electric gel. (basically they will charge you a half hour of work)

 

[MustangChris]

that sounds like a spark/fuel problem. I was getting all sorts of odd problems like backfiring, hesitating, bogging, sudden spurts of power and it turned out to be my dizzy.

+1


change fuel filter. (1 hour process)
change spark plugs (1 hour process)
clean MAF/IAT/IAC/air filter

then report back to us.


tools for spark plug swap:

deep socket (they sell special spark plug sockets but they arent madatory)
pair of need nose pliers, long. (these come in handy when the socket gets stuck on the spark plug and stays in the hole. lol)
die-electric gel ($.99 at the front counter of the store. put inside each end of the spark plug boot)
anti-sieze gel ($.99 at the front counter of the store. put on the threads of the spark plugs)
spark plug gap measure tool ($.99 at the front of the counter of the store.)

i also suggest servicing your battery, since your there.

edit:


as i said before: !!! CHECK YOUR SPARK PLUG THREDS!! THEY MAY BE GIVING OUT!

 

[1996mustangGT]

that sounds like a spark/fuel problem. I was getting all sorts of odd problems like backfiring, hesitating, bogging, sudden spurts of power and it turned out to be my dizzy.

+1


change fuel filter. (1 hour process)
change spark plugs (1 hour process)
clean MAF/IAT/IAC/air filter

then report back to us.


tools for spark plug swap:

deep socket (they sell special spark plug sockets but they arent madatory)
pair of need nose pliers, long. (these come in handy when the socket gets stuck on the spark plug and stays in the hole. lol)
die-electric gel ($.99 at the front counter of the store. put inside each end of the spark plug boot)
anti-sieze gel ($.99 at the front counter of the store. put on the threads of the spark plugs)
spark plug gap measure tool ($.99 at the front of the counter of the store.)

i also suggest servicing your battery, since your there.

edit:


as i said before: !!! CHECK YOUR SPARK PLUG THREDS!! THEY MAY BE GIVING OUT!

I'm telling you getting a freaking knuckle for the socket/extension will make your life 100x easier.

 

[GDawg]

The plugs will be easy till you get to the last two on the passenger side closest to the firewall. I would pull off the intake tube from your throttle body to make those plugs a little easier to get to.

You can wrap some duct tape around the spark plug socket and the extension so the socket won't come off in the hole.

You may also need new plug wires too.