got a problem with the GT...

machnjo · 12-12-2006, 06:08 PM

Well, yesterday, I was leaving Best Buy, got on the access road, which was clear, and the on-ramp to MOPAC north is about a 1/4 ahead, so I gunned it. I hit the on-ramp doing a little over 100 and started coasting back to the speed limit before I merge onto the hwy. I actually end up coasting down the hwy, its a downhill slant and my exit is at the bottom of the hill. Anyway, by the time I turned onto my street my car was starting to surge and stutter a little bit, the tone from the exhaust also changed from a growl to that of a throaty gurgle. This morning, I noticed the same tone from the exhaust. The car seems fine when I excelerate, but once I hit 40 and cruise, it begins to stutter, when I come to a stop at a light, it idles rough, like its misfiring. It seems to me that the timing is off, maybe somethings wrong with the harmonic balancer. Its not throughing any codes so any ideas on where to begin to check would be appreciated.

PureStang · 12-12-2006, 06:51 PM

check the IAC and MAF, then check you plugs and injectors. if ur plugs are fouled replace them and see what happens.

12-12-2006, 06:52 PM

LOL... Mopac. My brother lives in austin.
Austin kicks ass.

machnjo · 12-12-2006, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PureStang

check the IAC and MAF, then check you plugs and injectors. if ur plugs are fouled replace them and see what happens.

Thanks, first thing tomorrow, I'm going to pop the hood, check the COPs, IAC, MAF and plugs. I'm hoping its not anything major, it certainly doesn't have the feel of something major, and according to my finely tuned sense of audio-economics, it doesn't sound expensive lol.

machnjo · 12-12-2006, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack The Ripper

LOL... Mopac. My brother lives in austin.
Austin kicks ass.

Hehe, I love this city, moved here in June of '93 and by god, I'll be buried here when I die.

Jake · 12-12-2006, 07:12 PM

Haha sweet I live on Riverside near Ben White. Maybe we should get a group of Austin Stangers to go downtown for some 6th street action. Good luck with the car, wish I had enough knowledge to make useful suggestions.

machnjo · 12-12-2006, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake

Haha sweet I live on Riverside near Ben White. Maybe we should get a group of Austin Stangers to go downtown for some 6th street action. Good luck with the car, wish I had enough knowledge to make useful suggestions.

Cool, I've seen your car around, I live off of Barton Hills Dr behind Zilker Park, check out Central Texas Stangs.com. I just recently hooked up with them and they are a pretty active group.

machnjo · 12-17-2006, 02:55 PM

Problem solved, changed the plugs, oil and oil filter. The old spark plugs look like the factory originals, they were really worn out:

Thanks for helping to point me in the right direction.

Icefreezen · 12-17-2006, 03:17 PM

Oh yeah those needed to go....how many miles did you have on those?

machnjo · 12-17-2006, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icefreezen

Oh yeah those needed to go....how many miles did you have on those?

If I were to guess, I'd say those were the factory plugs, so 68k miles.

WaterDR · 12-17-2006, 05:09 PM

If those were factory platinums, they should have looked a lot better then that I would think. The tips are actually worn away. Have you been getting detonation?

r3dn3ck · 12-17-2006, 05:37 PM

don't forget that the factory tunes on 96-04 have been notoriously lean from off idle to 3500rpm or so and they're still kinda lean after that in untuned form. That would account for the added wear of the electrodes. They don't look that bad to me. I've seen a lot worse.

machnjo · 12-17-2006, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaterDR

If those were factory platinums, they should have looked a lot better then that I would think. The tips are actually worn away. Have you been getting detonation?

Nope, no detonations. Until this last monday, the car ran fine. TTT for the problem. It runs great now with the new plugs, although when I was coming back from taking my dog to the park, it still idles rough when in Drive (around 600rpms), if I put it in neutral, its ok and the rpms go to 800. So there's another issue I need to check into.

WaterDR · 12-17-2006, 06:10 PM

What you don't know is if the plugs go like this over time or if they went bad over the last few thousand miles. I would pull them again soon, or at least one or two to check them out.

Your idle issue may be related to what wore the plugs.

machnjo · 12-17-2006, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaterDR

What you don't know is if the plugs go like this over time or if they went bad over the last few thousand miles. I would pull them again soon, or at least one or two to check them out.

Your idle issue may be related to what wore the plugs.

Good point, at least changing the plugs was a good place to start.

WaterDR · 12-17-2006, 06:33 PM

Absolutely! What we don't know is if the plugs are the problem, or what lead to the plugs being the problem.

My stock plugs came out at 55k miles when I installed coppers. They looked fine. Unlike yours, there was no sign of metal loss. The tips were still squared and had sharp edges.

machnjo · 01-28-2007, 01:44 PM

Just wanted to give a final update. The GT is running badas* now.

Changed the plugs.

Cleaned the injectors and changed the fuel filters.

Changed oil and oil filter.

Cleaned the IAC and TB/Plenum.

Bascially, it needed a 70k tune up.

Now its running smooth, no idle problems or acceleration problems.

machnjo · 03-23-2007, 07:09 PM

Well, I actually still continued to have that misfiring problem. It got bad enough that I just parked the car and used the mach as a dd. This past tuesday, I dropped off the GT to get new heads installed. My mechanic, Kirk just called, he's tearing the engine apart tonight and found that the rear timing chain tensioner was shredded. He's going to be taking some pics of it and emailing them to me, so hopefully I'll post them soon.

machnjo · 03-23-2007, 08:51 PM

Here's the pics:

Bad Timing tensioner arm:

Good tensioner arm:

bassman97 · 03-23-2007, 10:25 PM

Jesus Christ, that's nuts. Hope that none of that stuff clogged your oil passages...

stngmn96 · 03-23-2007, 10:45 PM

I would suspect the IAC might be dirty. Also, if you have a CAI with a filter you have oiled a few times in the last few thousand miles you might want to clean the MAF sensor as well. These are easy fixes that require no money to try.

stanger00 · 03-24-2007, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stngmn96

I would suspect the IAC might be dirty. Also, if you have a CAI with a filter you have oiled a few times in the last few thousand miles you might want to clean the MAF sensor as well. These are easy fixes that require no money to try.

Icefreezen · 03-24-2007, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stngmn96

I would suspect the IAC might be dirty. Also, if you have a CAI with a filter you have oiled a few times in the last few thousand miles you might want to clean the MAF sensor as well. These are easy fixes that require no money to try.

Ummmm shut it...read the whole thread before offering suggestions on a half torn apart motor with the problem already stated

machnjo · 03-24-2007, 10:18 AM

12-12-2006, 06:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
machnjo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,086	got a problem with the GT... Well, yesterday, I was leaving Best Buy, got on the access road, which was clear, and the on-ramp to MOPAC north is about a 1/4 ahead, so I gunned it. I hit the on-ramp doing a little over 100 and started coasting back to the speed limit before I merge onto the hwy. I actually end up coasting down the hwy, its a downhill slant and my exit is at the bottom of the hill. Anyway, by the time I turned onto my street my car was starting to surge and stutter a little bit, the tone from the exhaust also changed from a growl to that of a throaty gurgle. This morning, I noticed the same tone from the exhaust. The car seems fine when I excelerate, but once I hit 40 and cruise, it begins to stutter, when I come to a stop at a light, it idles rough, like its misfiring. It seems to me that the timing is off, maybe somethings wrong with the harmonic balancer. Its not throughing any codes so any ideas on where to begin to check would be appreciated. __________________ 2004 Screaming Yellow Mach 1 (5spd) 2002 Mineral Grey GT (auto, DD) http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2534038/1 Sig courtesy of wnracing

12-12-2006, 06:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
PureStang WE ARE PENNSTATE Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Downingtown/West Chester, PA Posts: 4,946	check the IAC and MAF, then check you plugs and injectors. if ur plugs are fouled replace them and see what happens. __________________ Brandon J My Ride sig by purestang

12-12-2006, 07:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jake Cooter Commando Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 22	Haha sweet I live on Riverside near Ben White. Maybe we should get a group of Austin Stangers to go downtown for some 6th street action. Good luck with the car, wish I had enough knowledge to make useful suggestions. __________________ 2003 Redfire Mustang GT MAC CAI, Accufab 75mm TB/Plenum, FRPP 3.73's, MGW Short Throw Shifter, H&R SS Springs, Bassani X w/ cats, Flowmaster Super 40's, SCT Xcal2...and some cosmetic stuff

12-17-2006, 02:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
machnjo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,086	Problem solved, changed the plugs, oil and oil filter. The old spark plugs look like the factory originals, they were really worn out: Thanks for helping to point me in the right direction. __________________ 2004 Screaming Yellow Mach 1 (5spd) 2002 Mineral Grey GT (auto, DD) http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2534038/1 Sig courtesy of wnracing

12-17-2006, 03:17 PM	#9 (permalink)
Icefreezen Mustang Superman Join Date: May 2005 Location: Your mom's bed Posts: 3,908	Oh yeah those needed to go....how many miles did you have on those? __________________

12-12-2006, 06:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jack The Ripper Posts: n/a	LOL... Mopac. My brother lives in austin. Austin kicks ass.

12-17-2006, 05:09 PM	#11 (permalink)
WaterDR Administrator Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 6,374	If those were factory platinums, they should have looked a lot better then that I would think. The tips are actually worn away. Have you been getting detonation? __________________ Black 2000 GT Vert: Novi-2000 with Intercooler (375rwhp @ 9 psi); Tune by Kauffmans; Roush 380R Body kit; Steeda Subframes; Steeda Strut Tower Support; Deep Dish Bullets; FRPP 4:10's; SCT 4 Position Chip with four custom tunes; Steeda CAI; C&L Pleum; BBK 75 TB; SLP Loudmouth; SLP Catted X-Pipe; Bullitt Suspension; UPR Conrol Arms; Focus Fuel Pump My Car My Email

12-17-2006, 05:37 PM	#12 (permalink)
r3dn3ck Wowbagger hates me too! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Magrathea/California Posts: 7,014	don't forget that the factory tunes on 96-04 have been notoriously lean from off idle to 3500rpm or so and they're still kinda lean after that in untuned form. That would account for the added wear of the electrodes. They don't look that bad to me. I've seen a lot worse.

12-17-2006, 06:10 PM	#14 (permalink)
WaterDR Administrator Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 6,374	What you don't know is if the plugs go like this over time or if they went bad over the last few thousand miles. I would pull them again soon, or at least one or two to check them out. Your idle issue may be related to what wore the plugs. __________________ Black 2000 GT Vert: Novi-2000 with Intercooler (375rwhp @ 9 psi); Tune by Kauffmans; Roush 380R Body kit; Steeda Subframes; Steeda Strut Tower Support; Deep Dish Bullets; FRPP 4:10's; SCT 4 Position Chip with four custom tunes; Steeda CAI; C&L Pleum; BBK 75 TB; SLP Loudmouth; SLP Catted X-Pipe; Bullitt Suspension; UPR Conrol Arms; Focus Fuel Pump My Car My Email

12-17-2006, 06:33 PM	#16 (permalink)
WaterDR Administrator Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 6,374	Absolutely! What we don't know is if the plugs are the problem, or what lead to the plugs being the problem. My stock plugs came out at 55k miles when I installed coppers. They looked fine. Unlike yours, there was no sign of metal loss. The tips were still squared and had sharp edges. __________________ Black 2000 GT Vert: Novi-2000 with Intercooler (375rwhp @ 9 psi); Tune by Kauffmans; Roush 380R Body kit; Steeda Subframes; Steeda Strut Tower Support; Deep Dish Bullets; FRPP 4:10's; SCT 4 Position Chip with four custom tunes; Steeda CAI; C&L Pleum; BBK 75 TB; SLP Loudmouth; SLP Catted X-Pipe; Bullitt Suspension; UPR Conrol Arms; Focus Fuel Pump My Car My Email

01-28-2007, 01:44 PM	#17 (permalink)
machnjo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,086	Just wanted to give a final update. The GT is running badas* now. Changed the plugs. Cleaned the injectors and changed the fuel filters. Changed oil and oil filter. Cleaned the IAC and TB/Plenum. Bascially, it needed a 70k tune up. Now its running smooth, no idle problems or acceleration problems. __________________ 2004 Screaming Yellow Mach 1 (5spd) 2002 Mineral Grey GT (auto, DD) http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2534038/1 Sig courtesy of wnracing

03-23-2007, 07:09 PM	#18 (permalink)
machnjo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,086	Well, I actually still continued to have that misfiring problem. It got bad enough that I just parked the car and used the mach as a dd. This past tuesday, I dropped off the GT to get new heads installed. My mechanic, Kirk just called, he's tearing the engine apart tonight and found that the rear timing chain tensioner was shredded. He's going to be taking some pics of it and emailing them to me, so hopefully I'll post them soon. __________________ 2004 Screaming Yellow Mach 1 (5spd) 2002 Mineral Grey GT (auto, DD) http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2534038/1 Sig courtesy of wnracing

03-23-2007, 08:51 PM	#19 (permalink)
machnjo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,086	Here's the pics: Bad Timing tensioner arm: Good tensioner arm: __________________ 2004 Screaming Yellow Mach 1 (5spd) 2002 Mineral Grey GT (auto, DD) http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2534038/1 Sig courtesy of wnracing

03-23-2007, 10:25 PM	#20 (permalink)
bassman97 blank Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: North Jersey Posts: 1,494	Jesus Christ, that's nuts. Hope that none of that stuff clogged your oil passages...

03-23-2007, 10:45 PM	#21 (permalink)
stngmn96 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: West Haven, UT Posts: 164	I would suspect the IAC might be dirty. Also, if you have a CAI with a filter you have oiled a few times in the last few thousand miles you might want to clean the MAF sensor as well. These are easy fixes that require no money to try. __________________ 1996 GT 4.6 (bored .030 over) FRPP Shorty Headers PI Head and Intake, Forged Flat Top Pistons, Forged Rods, Cobra Crank, Mach 1 flywheel, Steeda Timing Adjuster, Steeda Underdrive pulleys, BBK Catted X-Pipe, Flomaster 3 chamber exhaust, SCT X2 programmed and dyno tuned, 3.73 gears, UPR Cold Air Intake, 70mm FRPP Throttle body.

03-24-2007, 10:18 AM	#24 (permalink)
machnjo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,086