Weird problem

TimWall · Jun 17, 2007

I have a 2000 GT with 91k, and it seems if I drive it over 30 mins straight it will start to sputter and stall under acceleration. The car will not rev past about 3000k, but the weird part is if I turn it off and turn it back on, it will be fine again for about 10 minutes before the whole problem starts again. I've noticed the problem occurs quicker when it's hot or I'm low on gas.

I've cleaned the MAF sensor, but that didn't work. I'm out of ideas. Anyone know what may be wrong?

Superhereaux · Jun 17, 2007

sounds like the fuel pump might be on its way out

will it drive fine with a full tank?

TimWall · Jun 17, 2007

If I fill it up it defnitely drives smoother for a lot longer than when I start out with about a quarter of a tank. It's been doing this for about 10,000 miles now. It's just weird that when I turn it off and back on it drives perfectly fine for awhile then the problem starts back up

Kilgore Trout · Jun 18, 2007

Replace fuel filter, if it still does it then I would suspect the fuel pump.

screamin gt · Jun 18, 2007

could be fuel filter too. cheaper so try that first.

perhaps when you shut it off the gunk loosens and lets fuel through for a while. just a thought, had it happen before but not to this car.

HoustonGT · Jun 18, 2007

Start with the least expensive solutions first. Change fuel filter and run some fuel injector cleaner through as well and see if it goes away.

TimWall · Jun 18, 2007

Thanks for the help guys I will definitely try that first and let you know what happens

tomustang · Jun 18, 2007

don't forget to drive your car down to empty, you want the least gas in your tank to change fuel components

Kilgore Trout · Jun 18, 2007

Fuel level in the tank does not matter for fuel filter change.

TimWall · Jun 18, 2007

Ok fuel filter has been changed but the car still drives fine for about 25-30 mins, and then it just starts sputtering, not accelerating. It wil go fine to about 3000RPM and then it just starts bucking and can't get past 3000RPM unless I barely it give it gas. But if I give it about 1/2 throttle is will start stalling, bucking. One of my friends said Barometric Pressure sensor...? I have no idea. But this problem is really annoying for longer trips. Even though it still fixes itself for about 10 mins if I turn it off and fire it right back up. Anyone have any ideas?

If it is the fuel pump does anyone have any suggestions for a quality one. I just have a GT with exhaust, and UDP's. Thanks for the help

joshjwc9 · Jun 18, 2007

IDK exactly but the pulleys might be a place to start. IDK if it could be the alt. one or water pump because you lose cooling efficiency with some brands of UDP's.

TimWall · Jun 18, 2007

I don't think it's the Under Drive Pullies, I had them on my other 2000 GT mustang before I sold it, and it never had a problem with anything. They are Steeda brand. I have a new fuel filter and a full tank of gas! and it's still screwing up.

merc123 · Jun 18, 2007

My Cougar did this when I still had 1/4 tank of gas. I filled it back up and it fixed the problem. I went ahead and changed the fuel filter (it was clogged).

Since you already changed the fuel filter, I would also look into your catalytic coverter being clogged. They also have a 100,000mile warranty. I'd check the fuel pump next.

Something I found on "howstuffworks"

A catalytic converter can also fail because of:

Bad exhaust valves on the engine
Fouled plugs causing unburned fuel to overheat the converter

Sometimes you can tell that a converter is clogged because you don't go any faster when you push the gas pedal. Also, there usually is a noticeable drop in gas mileage associated with a clogged catalytic converter. A partially clogged converter often acts like an engine governor, limiting the actual RPMs to a fast idle. A totally clogged converter causes the engine to quit after a few minutes because of all the increased exhaust back pressure.

TimWall · Jun 18, 2007

Thanks for the input Merc. Is there anyway to tell if the catalytic converters are clogged or should that be a last attempt to fix my problem. Also any suggestions for a fuel pump?

chuck943 · Jun 18, 2007

to check cats use a vacuum/pressure guage. hook into hoses going from DPFE sensor down to exhaust, should read 1 PSI or less at idle and then rev to WOT momentarily and read guage should read around 3-4 psi. If cats are stopped up will probably read 6 psi or better.

merc123 · Jun 19, 2007

Give chuck's post a try. From what I know the only way to "test" a clogged cat is to replace it with a new one.

No suggestions on fuel pump, maybe a ford focus GT pump?

screamin gt · Jun 20, 2007

but he mentioned he had exhaust, does he even have cats?

also I don't think you mentioned how long this was happening for. did it just start happening out of nowhere? or slowly get worse and worse

screamin gt · Jun 20, 2007

also did you run the fuel injector cleaner that someone else mentioned?

TimWall · Jun 20, 2007

It has been getting worse and worse for the last 10,000 miles, also I have tried fuel injector cleaner and it didn't seem to help.

Kilgore Trout · Jun 20, 2007

TimWall said:
It has been getting worse and worse for the last 10,000 miles, also I have tried fuel injector cleaner and it didn't seem to help.

Do you have cats?

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