3.8L feels like its about to die....
03-18-2006, 07:46 PM
#1
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 628
3.8L feels like its about to die....
I had this problem with my Ford escort along time ago but just sold it..lol but my current 3.8L stang (99' manual) is doing it now.
What happens is sometimes, not always...when I start my car my rpm's jump up and down slightly and my car starts to shake slightly (not rough but enough to feel its not supposed to be like that) and the shaking increases as I let it idle more to where it seems like its about to die. And when I give it gas (while in neutral) it takes it a second then revs the engine. Sometimes it will do it when Im driving and come to a red light it will start acting like this as well. So what is causing this?
What happens is sometimes, not always...when I start my car my rpm's jump up and down slightly and my car starts to shake slightly (not rough but enough to feel its not supposed to be like that) and the shaking increases as I let it idle more to where it seems like its about to die. And when I give it gas (while in neutral) it takes it a second then revs the engine. Sometimes it will do it when Im driving and come to a red light it will start acting like this as well. So what is causing this?
03-18-2006, 07:59 PM
#2
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Topeka/Fort Riley, Kansas
Posts: 208
RE: 3.8L feels like its about to die....
I had this happen to my car a while back. It would come to the point of where it actually dies at very low idle speeds. I found the cause to be the missing gas cap. In case your wondering, the missing fuel cap light was not on (although im not too totally sure why) as someone had stolen my gas cap.
However, in your case, Id first start looking at vacuum leaks as that is what i was told to do in my instance, before i realized i had no gas cap.
However, in your case, Id first start looking at vacuum leaks as that is what i was told to do in my instance, before i realized i had no gas cap.
03-19-2006, 11:11 PM
#5
6th Gear Member
Join Date: May 2005
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Posts: 7,445
RE: 3.8L feels like its about to die....
ORIGINAL: Dan9687
anyone else got any ideas?!?!?
anyone else got any ideas?!?!?
03-20-2006, 01:14 AM
#6
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 628
RE: 3.8L feels like its about to die....
Tru cleaning the MAF sensor wire. BE CAREFUL tho, cus if you damage it, you will need a new sensor. Also, try a new PCV valve. When was the last tune-up??
03-20-2006, 01:25 AM
#7
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Join Date: May 2005
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RE: 3.8L feels like its about to die....
ORIGINAL: Dan9687
Is the MAF sensor in the Air induction (where the air filter is)? Where is the PCV valve and what does it do? It has never had a tune-up to my knowledge (Im 2nd owner) Its a 99' manual with only 45k on it.
Tru cleaning the MAF sensor wire. BE CAREFUL tho, cus if you damage it, you will need a new sensor. Also, try a new PCV valve. When was the last tune-up??
03-20-2006, 09:32 AM
#8
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Posts: 98
RE: 3.8L feels like its about to die....
ORIGINAL: 03YellowPony
MAF sensor is in the air intake tube, right behind the air filter housing. There is a wiring harness connected to it. The PCV valve is in one of the valve covers. It is a spring loaded valve that vents gasses built up in the crankcase to be burnt and exhausted out. I'd change the plugs too. I know it only has 45000 miles, but they've been in there for 7 years. Also, change the fuel filter, Located under the car just in front of the gas tank, and change the air filter. If you don't have a CAI, either get one, or buy a K&N air filter.
MAF sensor is in the air intake tube, right behind the air filter housing. There is a wiring harness connected to it. The PCV valve is in one of the valve covers. It is a spring loaded valve that vents gasses built up in the crankcase to be burnt and exhausted out. I'd change the plugs too. I know it only has 45000 miles, but they've been in there for 7 years. Also, change the fuel filter, Located under the car just in front of the gas tank, and change the air filter. If you don't have a CAI, either get one, or buy a K&N air filter.
i opened up my MAF a few days ago (never been cleaned before) and I was suprised to see the wire was as clean as a baby's skin. (i have always had a paper filter)
03-20-2006, 01:28 PM
#9
6th Gear Member
Join Date: May 2005
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Posts: 7,445
RE: 3.8L feels like its about to die....
ORIGINAL: namezod
well the oiled k&n filter is usually the reason the MAF sensor gets gunked up in the first place...
i opened up my MAF a few days ago (never been cleaned before) and I was suprised to see the wire was as clean as a baby's skin. (i have always had a paper filter)
ORIGINAL: 03YellowPony
MAF sensor is in the air intake tube, right behind the air filter housing. There is a wiring harness connected to it. The PCV valve is in one of the valve covers. It is a spring loaded valve that vents gasses built up in the crankcase to be burnt and exhausted out. I'd change the plugs too. I know it only has 45000 miles, but they've been in there for 7 years. Also, change the fuel filter, Located under the car just in front of the gas tank, and change the air filter. If you don't have a CAI, either get one, or buy a K&N air filter.
MAF sensor is in the air intake tube, right behind the air filter housing. There is a wiring harness connected to it. The PCV valve is in one of the valve covers. It is a spring loaded valve that vents gasses built up in the crankcase to be burnt and exhausted out. I'd change the plugs too. I know it only has 45000 miles, but they've been in there for 7 years. Also, change the fuel filter, Located under the car just in front of the gas tank, and change the air filter. If you don't have a CAI, either get one, or buy a K&N air filter.
i opened up my MAF a few days ago (never been cleaned before) and I was suprised to see the wire was as clean as a baby's skin. (i have always had a paper filter)