[lieutenant671]

First I did try to research this and did a couple of the simpler checks.

I recently had to replace the fuel pump on my mustang and it was working fine. Although it is spring here in Memphis, it got really cold one day and this is when it started to bog down and make popping noises if I tried to push it through the bogging too much. It tends to only bog down when at WOT until about 4500 to 5000 when it gets all of its power back.

I am NOT getting a CEL and have tried cleaning the MAF as well as making sure my everything was hooked up properly to my cold air. I haven't checked the plugs or fuel filter yet since I do not have the tools to do so since I'm here in Memphis for college. I am also a broke college student so didn't want to dish out all the cash to get these various things checked by shops.

I figured that if I was misfiring I would get a CEL so I don't think its a plug issue.
Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[lieutenant671]

Also. The car idles smoothly and just broke 50k a couple of weeks ago.

 

[KRE2PASS]

The fuel filter isn't that hard to change and inexpensive. Check your local Advanced Auto Parts they rent almost any special tools you might need to change it.

 

[lieutenant671]

Thanks for the Reply.

Ill stop by Advanced Auto some time tomoro hopefully if I have time.

So do you also agree that the plugs would set off the CEL? or should I still look into replacing those?

 

[Markstang]

if its intermittent enough, it wont set off the light right away.. you dont necessarily have to replace the plugs, you should at the least though, inspect them, pull them out and check for any buildup on the electrodemake sure your wires are in good condition as well, make sure they dont touch or rub against metal as it can arc through the insulation, and that there are no cracks or damaged bits of it.. this is just basic stuff though

 

[lieutenant671]

I'll try to see if my friend has the tools so I can take them out and check. How do you check if the wires are still good?

 

[Markstang]

well i just said in my previous post

make sure they dont touch or rub against metal as it can arc through the insulation, and that there are no cracks or damaged bits of it

basically look at them and feel them for anything out of the ordinary.. another trick is run the engine in total darkness and look for any arcing(little blue sparks anywhere.. there should be none whatsoever on a healthy set of wires).. i kinda doubt theres any arcing happening.. but i could be wrong.. definitely check the plugs.. if you notice anything on them go ahead and post a picture..

also if you go ahead and try to change the fuel filter.. all you need is a screwdriver and a (?3/8"?) fuel line disconnect tool.. and the filter of course.. american muscle's site has a video up of how to do it if you want to take a look how to do it properly..

 

[davidcseifert]

also if you go ahead and try to change the fuel filter.. all you need is a screwdriver and a (?3/8"?) fuel line disconnect tool.. and the filter of course

5/16" i changed mine out a couple months ago lol

 

[Markstang]

ah right, well i was close

 

[lieutenant671]

Changing the plugs did the trick. The old ones had a decent amount of carbon build up. I'm guessing its because instead of plugging the hole on the CAI where the air temp meter was supposed to go I just put an air filter on it, being too dumb to realize that it wouldn't be measured by the MAF.... SMH...

Car runs great again though. Thanks to all for the replies.

 

[davidcseifert]

glad to hear it was a simple fix :bigthumbsup

 

[derklug]

For future reference, to check wires you can mist the wires with water from a spray bottle and listen/look for arcing. The daring can run a finger along the wires to feel for a tingle, but sometimes you get a jolt. Quick scope test without dragging out the scope.

 

[lieutenant671]

Its been 8 months, the problem started back up around July, so I went and changed the plugs again, and also switched over to a K&N CAI (discovered that the filter on the cheap one fell off at some point when replacing it). I figured that the problem arose because of the filter missing, but now the problem is back. Changing the spark plugs does the trick, but since it's a recurring problem, can it be a bad tune? All I have done so far is cat-back dual exhaust and the CAI.

 

[trooplewis]

When you change the plugs, how do the old ones look? Can you see anything unusual going on with the tips?

 

[lieutenant671]

I will be replacing them some time in the morning. I will try to get good quality pictures of old vs new plugs when I do.

 

[lieutenant671]

Here are some pictures of the old plugs vs new.

 

[Markstang]

have you been checking the gap of these plugs you've been putting in?

 

[lieutenant671]

Yes. I've been gapping them .054 inches