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  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Slight misfire on start up?

  • Thread starter Thread starter paintballpyro1
  • Start date Start date Sep 14, 2010

paintballpyro1

Active Member
Jan 6, 2004
118
1
29
Michigan
Sep 14, 2010
#1
  • Sep 14, 2010
  • #1
Ive noticed that my 96 gt has started getting a slight misfire on start up every so often. It runs a little rough for about 20-30secs then immediately smooths out and runs fine. It has newer plugs and wires, only thing i can think of being the problem is the coil packs? I know they probably should be replaced as they have 194,000miles on them but i dont want to be replacing part after part to find its not what it was.
 

wmburns

SN Certified Technician
Aug 14, 2009
5,892
514
204
Houston Texas
Sep 14, 2010
#2
  • Sep 14, 2010
  • #2
Every so often after a cold soak? Consider it could be something as simple as evaporative purge cycle running.

The PCM schedules an EVAP purge at a random time after a cold soak. Expect some rough running depending on how much gas vapor is in the charcoal canister.

OR... there could be a vacuum leak in the EVAP system. This causing excessive air during the purge.

Do you have an ODB2 scanner? If so, monitor when the PCM switches from open loop to closed loop. Does the rough running happen before or after the switch?

Next monitor the EVAP purge PID (it may be called canister purge). Does it relate to the rough running?

OR... is it possible there is to much worrying going on?

OBTW, clean the MAF.

Try this old racer's trick. Run the car in a totally dark location. Look for the blue light which is evidence of arching.

Any smoke from the exhaust when it is first started? If so, what color?

Another possibility is oil leaking down the valve stems. It pools on the intake valves. It runs rough until the oil is burned off.
 
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