Question

[Ohio Irishman]

I have a 2000 Vert 3.8 with 96, 000 miles. Changed the wires and plugs and it runs great I get around 23-25 MPG combined. However. Every once in awhile if I have been driving and stop and turn the car off to do something for 5 minutes and restart it. It sputters and acts like its going to die. I give it a little gas for a couple minutes and it fine. Could this be the MAF or something else? Thanks in advance for your comments.

 

[wmburns]

First, It never hurts to be dealing with a known clean MAF. Always clean using only a product desinged for the job. Never carb/choke or brake cleaner.

IMO your symptom could be a number of things. An IAC or fuel pressure issue should be at the top of the list.

For a possible fuel pressure issue, try cycling the key on/pause/off a couple of times before cranking. Does this improve starting? If so, suspect fuel pressure leak down.

IMO, the front runner should be considered an IAC issue.

How to trouble shoot IAC/idle issues:
http://www.allfordmustangs.com/foru...-dieing-idle-idling-rough-14.html#post2260649

Post #8 regarding re-desinged V6 valve covers:
http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/v6-tech/313594-1999-ford-mustang-3-8-a.html

 

[Ohio Irishman]

The idle does drop every time I start the car except when I have the issue as I have to keep the rpms up so no to stall. Also this has only happened 3 times in a month and I drive it everyday.

 

[wmburns]

Did you read any of the information posted? What were the results of the tests?

 

[jrod2423]

i've been having the same problem but doing these test to check are hard because you don't know when its going to do it it just does it. i've had this problem twice in one month so far. also i've owned this car for 2 and half years and this is the first time it has every started to do this.

 

[Ohio Irishman]

First, It never hurts to be dealing with a known clean MAF. Always clean using only a product desinged for the job. Never carb/choke or brake cleaner.

IMO your symptom could be a number of things. An IAC or fuel pressure issue should be at the top of the list.

For a possible fuel pressure issue, try cycling the key on/pause/off a couple of times before cranking. Does this improve starting? If so, suspect fuel pressure leak down.

IMO, the front runner should be considered an IAC issue.

How to trouble shoot IAC/idle issues:
http://www.allfordmustangs.com/foru...-dieing-idle-idling-rough-14.html#post2260649

Post #8 regarding re-desinged V6 valve covers:
http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/v6-tech/313594-1999-ford-mustang-3-8-a.html

I have not had an opportunity to check it all out yet hopefully with in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for the input.

 

[Ohio Irishman]

i've been having the same problem but doing these test to check are hard because you don't know when its going to do it it just does it. i've had this problem twice in one month so far. also i've owned this car for 2 and half years and this is the first time it has every started to do this.

I just had it again this week after it sat for like 5 minutes after 30 seconds of giving it a little gas it was fine.

 

[wmburns]

The tests are to provide a basic top level functional test of the IAC. The tests were not meant to be run only when the problem is happening.

Here's some more informaton on how to clean the IAC. Note, the Ford service manual does not recommending cleaning the black vented IAC. Some ppl report that it works well after cleaning. Some report that it works for a while.

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/foru...-dieing-idle-idling-rough-16.html#post2942011

Note, some cars have more blow by than others. The oil in the PCV system will gum up the insides of the IAC valve. Older V6 are much worse about excessive blow by. Check out post #8:

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/v6-tech/313594-1999-ford-mustang-3-8-a.html

Sometimes a slow idle can be caused by poor power balance (one or more cylinders not pulling their weight). For this, look at the ignition system. Consider a basic tune up. And as always, double check for intake vacuum leaks and exhaust leaks.

 

[jrod2423]

ok so along with all these tests and the recent problems i've figured out that my problem and probably ohio irishmans problem is our IAC, along with wmburns tests and the last time this happened its definetily the IAC. I say this because the last time this happened to me instead of dying when i started the car it idled really low but then came back and then went really low on the rpms again. so the problem has to be the IAC not functioning right and giving the motor enough air during idle when i start my car.