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Engine Feels like miss firing......?

  • Thread starter Thread starter essgt1
  • Start date Start date Apr 8, 2013

essgt1

New Member
May 20, 2011
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Florida
Apr 8, 2013
#1
  • Apr 8, 2013
  • #1
Hi all,
Here is the problem. Lately when I first start my mustang and drive it feels like it is miss firing (breaking up or as if the mufflers are clogged) for the first 5 to 10 minutes or til she gets warmed up. After she is warmed up she runs strong as if it never happened. There are no cats on the car and has a BBK h-pipe with shorty headers. Was wondering what the issue may be and if it is a simple fix. All your suggestions are muchly appreciated.
 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician
Aug 27, 2012
11,606
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In the garage
Apr 8, 2013
#2
  • Apr 8, 2013
  • #2
Did you run the codes? How about those Cool Ranch Doritos. Mighty Tasty.
 
Reactions: toolow91

essgt1

New Member
May 20, 2011
19
0
2
Florida
Apr 9, 2013
#3
  • Apr 9, 2013
  • #3
mikestang63 said:
Did you run the codes? How about those Cool Ranch Doritos. Mighty Tasty.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately no , I dont have one of those code readers. Did it again today, almost sounds as if it wants to back fire but doesnt.
 

88LX5.Oh

15 Year Member
Dec 30, 2011
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Arkansas
Apr 9, 2013
#4
  • Apr 9, 2013
  • #4
No need for a code reader. Jrichker has a post that shows how to dump the codes with just a paper clip. You can try the search function to see if you can find the thread.
 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician
Aug 27, 2012
11,606
8,859
214
In the garage
Apr 9, 2013
#5
  • Apr 9, 2013
  • #5
essgt1 said:
Unfortunately no , I dont have one of those code readers. Did it again today, almost sounds as if it wants to back fire but doesnt.
Click to expand...

You don't need a code reader. All you need is a paper clip or a piece of wire and maybe a test light if your mustang doesn't have a CEL. Search the tech sticky for Jrichker's post about how to pull codes. It is very easy and should be your starting point as the computer will often tell you provide you with the codes where the issues are.
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
43,072
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Box behind Walmart
Apr 9, 2013
#6
  • Apr 9, 2013
  • #6
http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-for...…-spittin’-and-sputtern’.867484/#post-8719503
 

MFE92

10 Year Member
Aug 25, 2010
1,094
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Phoenix
Apr 9, 2013
#7
  • Apr 9, 2013
  • #7
Sounds like you have a collapsing lifter or a compression problem on startup. Here's what I'd do: Turn the ignition on. Floor the gas pedal and hold it, which invokes "clear flood" mode and actually shuts off the fuel. Crank the engine for a few seconds and listen to it. Does it go r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r all nice and even, or does it go R-r-r-r-R-r-r-r getting louder as the crank passes a weak cylinder? Poor man's quicky compression test. It won't tell you which cylinder is weak unless you pull the distributor cap and watch where the rotor is pointing as it passes the weak cylinder, but it'll definitely tell you if you have a weak cylinder. And a weak cylinder is only caused by valves not actuating properly or the cylinder not sealing properly.

So, if it clears that quick and easy test, you can rule out compression and move on to spark and fuel.
 
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essgt1

New Member
May 20, 2011
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Florida
Apr 13, 2013
#8
  • Apr 13, 2013
  • #8
MFE92 said:
Sounds like you have a collapsing lifter or a compression problem on startup. Here's what I'd do: Turn the ignition on. Floor the gas pedal and hold it, which invokes "clear flood" mode and actually shuts off the fuel. Crank the engine for a few seconds and listen to it. Does it go r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r all nice and even, or does it go R-r-r-r-R-r-r-r getting louder as the crank passes a weak cylinder? Poor man's quicky compression test. It won't tell you which cylinder is weak unless you pull the distributor cap and watch where the rotor is pointing as it passes the weak cylinder, but it'll definitely tell you if you have a weak cylinder. And a weak cylinder is only caused by valves not actuating properly or the cylinder not sealing properly.

So, if it clears that quick and easy test, you can rule out compression and move on to spark and fuel.
Click to expand...
Thanks , will try ou and let you know what i find
 

essgt1

New Member
May 20, 2011
19
0
2
Florida
Apr 13, 2013
#9
  • Apr 13, 2013
  • #9
essgt1 said:
Thanks , will try ou and let you know what i find
Click to expand...
Ok MFE92, I tried what you said and it definately sounds like R-r-r-r-R-r-r-R. If a cylinder doesnt seal properly would you burn more oil or a least smoke coming out of the tail pipe on the side in question? My oil levels are fine and still has that honey color to it. How bad can this issue be?
 

MFE92

10 Year Member
Aug 25, 2010
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Apr 13, 2013
#10
  • Apr 13, 2013
  • #10
Depends on what the problem really is. Time to run a real compression test on it.
 
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