LG96GT

Ok was driving gf to work bout a month ago, and suddenly out of nowhere engine starts stumbling like crazy, could only really keep it going by putting in clutch and throttling it up to around 3000 rpm. Kept running but ran like HUD, almost like it was running out of gas. Was in between e and 1/4, so fueled it up and ran fine after that. Figured the gauge was just off.
Happened again 2 weeks later on 1/4 tank, fueled it up, and still did it after fueling up. Car would drive, but again, ran like garbage and had to throttle clutch and gas to keep it running. Was 300 m or so from where I was going so figured I'd just try to get it there, but car died. Fired up but still ran rough, got going again, died again. Turned it over for about 6 seconds, and got it going again, running rough but managed to limp it to parking lot off road. Shut it down for 5 minutes, started up fine and ran fine!?!?!?
Also noticed check engine light would flicker while stumbling. Afterwards no check engine light....

Recently checked the codes with obd2 scanner, no codes registered.

Yesterday took car for hour drive on highway, started to stumble two different times during drive, but both times nowhere near as bad as before. When I depressed clutch and gave it some gas, it quit stumbling almost immediately. Has been running fine since. Any ideas??? I'm thinking it's fuel related, fuel filter clogged maybe? Could someone tell me if it is in the tank or outside? How hard of a job to replace? Thanx a bunch for any help/advice!

trailor

sounds similar to my IAC valve problem. but, because its cheaper, i would replace the fuel filter first, for good measure if nothing else. it should be replaced every 15-20k miles anyway

LG96GT

Would the iac affect it when it is driving though? I was kinda thinking if it was the iac it would be more problematic when the car was just sitting at idle, no?

trailor

sorry, didnt understand, it would affect it while driving once you hit the clutch, not while you're in gear and accelerating. is it a bucking feeling, or does it just feel like its shutting down? some refer to it as falling on its face

LG96GT

No def more of a bucking feeling.

I just picked up a fuel filter for a whopping 6$ so I'll swap that out this eve and let u guys know if I'm still getting symptoms.

Thanks a bunch for the ideas, really appreciate it.

03FASTGT

Wouldnt hurt by taking your throttle body/plenum off and cleaning it with carb cleaner. I find the valve cover recirc system gums up the plenum with oil. It should take 45-60 minutes and a basic socket set.

Disconnect battery for 5-10 minutes, or as you do the work, after reinstallation start your car and let it idle for 10-15 minutes before driving for your PCM to relearn parameters.

LG96GT

Good idea 03fast didn't even think of that, I will definitely do that. Even if that's not the problem definitely couldn't hurt. Thanks!

trailor

if you have the stock tb, i wouldn't. at least not with a generic tb cleaner. i do believe (correct me if im wrong) the STOCK throttle body came with a special coating that is NOT meant for use with regular cleaners. i would double check on it. a few fords had it our years. if you have an aftermarket tb, then don't worry, none of the popular brands have a coating.

back to the main topic, sounds to me like you may have a spark plug or coil problem.

96GT226410

It doesn't sound like any of that to me. Since the CEL was flickering and the way your car was driving, I suspect the catalyst in the one, or more, of the cats to have begun crumbling and is clogging your exhaust. I would start by checking your exhaust.

trailor

what are you joking me? if a car is bucking, its not because of a clogged cat, and a flickering cel during those conditions is usually a clear sign of a misfire. your car would be sluggish if it was a clogged cat, lacking or losing power, not bucking. take it to autozone or somethin to get that code read, its probably still logged on your pcm