So many problems, so litttle money. HELP!

tuned

New Member
Aug 31, 2004
23
0
0
PLEASE HELP!

I’m getting so fed up with this car it’s unbelievable. I bought an automatic 1998 Mustang GT, with 69, 756 miles, immaculate tan leather interior and only one small blemish in the front left quarter panel. Mechanically when I bought the car I didn’t see any problems, but within 2-3 days all hell broke loose. Let me just list the many problems I’ve had so far…

- Idles rough, RPM’s fluxuate while idling from 750 to 500. (I suspected the problem was in the IAC, so I pulled it off and cleaned it was carb cleaner and no difference was made, as the IAC seemed unclogged to begin with.) Puzzled as to what the hell is wrong with it.

- The odometer stops working, all other gauges work…? No clue where to even begin on this one, but at least the miles aren’t racking up. :)

- Loud roaring in the rear end, I suspect gears but I have no idea how to check or where to even begin with this. Sounds expensive…

- When I’m going from the speeds between 45 and 55 and I let off the gas the car acts as if its going to stall out, it starts to shake, like hop almost, at any rate its ****ed up in some fashion, no idea where to start.

- When at a dead stop, If I stomp the gas to the floor it spudders, almost as if its going to stall and then eventually picks up and goes, and occasionally if I stomp it it will just spudder and fluxuate at around 2000 RPMS for about 10 seconds.

- The main and most notable problem it that I have a cracked intake manifold where the radiator hose meets the manifold, where the thermostat would be. I at first suspected it was just the O-ring gone bad but when I pulled the piece off I could see a crack straight thru the manifold. Wow. I was pissed, especially when I was told it would be 600 bucks to have it fixed. I refuse to pay that. So I picked up some JB weld and made a stab at fixing it, for about a month it worked, but last night it just started spraying fluid everywhere. I don’t know how to fix this problem, but I WILL NOT pay 600 dollars to fix the damn thing either. This is the main issue, because it’s undriveable with this impairment. Any help, please let me know.


Basically I need to know what to do, I bought the car for 6500 hundred and I’ve put no money into it and I want it to run with the least amount of time and money possible. Man, only my luck. Should I cut my losses and try to sell the car or try to fix it, I really need to figure this out because I need a ride.

Thanks, tuned…

I had a dream driving a civic! :shrug:
 
Chg your fuel filter. $10
Have a good speed shop check the rear end...sounds like the gears were not installed properly. New gears, installed - around $400
You should be able to find a new manifold for around $250...a used one even cheaper.
Welcome to Stangnet and Don't give up!
 
correct me if I am wrong, but shouldn't the intake be replaced for free, there was a TSB out for this. Chech with the dealer. Maybe someone wil chime in with the TSB number. Your fule filter is definately a problem. There is an idle adjustment kit available from for that may also solve the idle problems. It goes between the IAC and the intake. It is at the steeda site as well.
 
Usually the symptom of a bad IAC is a car that won't hold idle at all...starts and dies. And if I recall correctly, the shop manual indicates that the IAC should not be cleaned as it is coated with some special sludge. Besides, cleaning it doesn't work, as you've discovered. If it's bad, just change it out. I just changed mine out yesterday. ($53 from NAPA) Took about 6 minutes. But then, believe it or not, I spent 2 minutes removing and 2.5 hours installing...an air filter. :rolleyes:
 
Replace the IAC
Buy a PI Intake(250 or less) + adapter plates
as for the rear... it could be the bearings went out, typical problem with the 8.8's

as for the intake,, alot of us experenced that. i have taken the better alternative by swappin in some 2004 PI heads+intake

oh and the odometer you'll have to got to a ford shop and get a new one i guess.

hold in there, sounds like you had all the common problems all at once, tuned.
 
let's make lemon-aide now

FalconGuy016 said:
Hmmm... I dont want to put the evil thought on you, but mabye the odometer hasnt been working for a long time... a blessing for your seller.

if he went to a dealer he can find out how many miles are actually on it. it's all recorded in the computer