Rough idle and slight engine miss.

Crash Lander · 30-08-2006, 09:27 PM

Hi guys! I found reference in some other threads here about a rough idle, and some mentioned a slight engine miss. These posts said that they had fixed them, but failed to mention how!
My 99 AU that I only bought on Monday has a slightly rough idle, and in top gear, when I just touch the accelerator, it has a definate hesitation/stutter before it accelerates.
I'm guessing it could be leads, so I've bought a set, and will fit them this weekend, but was wondering if I'm heading down the right track.

I love this site by the way. Full of both good and bad things about the Fords. Too many forums are either all bad, or all good. Nice to see a balance of both, but discussed in a constructive way.

foxtrot · 30-08-2006, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crash Lander

Hi guys! I found reference in some other threads here about a rough idle, and some mentioned a slight engine miss. These posts said that they had fixed them, but failed to mention how!
My 99 AU that I only bought on Monday has a slightly rough idle, and in top gear, when I just touch the accelerator, it has a definate hesitation/stutter before it accelerates.
I'm guessing it could be leads, so I've bought a set, and will fit them this weekend, but was wondering if I'm heading down the right track.

I love this site by the way. Full of both good and bad things about the Fords. Too many forums are either all bad, or all good. Nice to see a balance of both, but discussed in a constructive way.

Hi Crash Lander,

Welcome to the forums

they are awesome.
Although watch what you say.... there are some grumpy admin guys out there. JOKE.

My AU XR seemed to be idling rough.. was just missing a beat or 2..

Well mine turned out to be the battery on it's way out the dealer said with flattish batterys it can cause these cars to run a little rough (Must have something to do with the ECU)

Anyway I can't say he was wrong because its fine now.

Plugs and leads would be the first things I'd check though.. made a HUGE difference in my EA.. as in the manual shifter used to shake all over the place it idled so rough.. then new plugs and leads... and smooooth riding.

I6corp · 30-08-2006, 09:32 PM

I had the exact same problem, I just changed the leads and plugs.... completely fixed it.

p.s ignore if a 'dealer' says it had a major service.

Crash Lander · 30-08-2006, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I6corp

I had the exact same problem, I just changed the leads and plugs.... completely fixed it.

p.s ignore if a 'dealer' says it had a major service.

Your car is exactly the same as mine! :-) Same colour and all!
I notice you have a K&N Pod in a box, and a performance fuel pump. What effect do these have on performance?

bodes-sh · 30-08-2006, 09:49 PM

if changing the plugs and leads doesn't fix it, then you will have to either look at the battery, as mantioned above, or coil pack as this could cause it if it's faulty

Crash Lander · 30-08-2006, 10:34 PM

Well, the battery is actually pretty flat. He had to jump it when I first test drove it, and it needed a jump again when I went to take it home, which was only about 20 minutes after the first test drive. It starts ok now, because I've done a few k's in it, but it still turns over a bit slow before it fires up. Maybe that's it. I might just take the battery out of the car and stick it on the charger over night and see what happens. Would this stuff anything up? I mean, does removing the battery, even just to put a new one in reset the computer or anything?
Nice suggestion guys! :-)
I'll still fit the new leads and check the plugs, as it can't hurt.
Would a dodgy battery affect the stutter in top gear though?

foxtrot · 31-08-2006, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crash Lander

Well, the battery is actually pretty flat. He had to jump it when I first test drove it, and it needed a jump again when I went to take it home, which was only about 20 minutes after the first test drive. It starts ok now, because I've done a few k's in it, but it still turns over a bit slow before it fires up. Maybe that's it. I might just take the battery out of the car and stick it on the charger over night and see what happens. Would this stuff anything up? I mean, does removing the battery, even just to put a new one in reset the computer or anything?
Nice suggestion guys! :-)
I'll still fit the new leads and check the plugs, as it can't hurt.
Would a dodgy battery affect the stutter in top gear though?

same story, battery had to be jumped.
The battery light used to stay on while the engine was cold and would take a while till the light turned off and it charged sort of thing.

All good now though, i think I could do with new plugs and leads as well though.

Crash Lander · 31-08-2006, 12:40 PM

Well, new leads didn't fix it. The plugs don't look like they are now, so I'll stick some new ones in over the weekend, and see what happens. I'll also charge the battery over night and see if that makes any difference.
Just thinking, it could be a small vaccuum leak I guess, but I think that'd give me stutters in more than just the start of top gear, surely.

I have to say, I really do enjoy driving the car. (apart from the stutter, but we'll sort that out eventually.)

I6corp · 30-08-2006, 10:50 PM

Well the Pod filter, adds some more throttle response and nice induction noice.
And the performance pump, well not all that much atm.... It was more a 'grab it now, for later' mod... ill only notice it, when have modded the engine abit more i expect.

Cheers mate

blackauman · 31-08-2006, 10:07 AM

My XR8 spat, stuttered and carried on, very similar to what you are describing. This was all fixed with new irridium spark plugs, new leads and new fuel filter.

foxtrot · 31-08-2006, 03:11 PM

maybe your using 5th gear at speeds below 80 lol

Crash Lander · 31-08-2006, 03:27 PM

hehehe. It's an auto, and it happens between about 80 and 100.

bodes-sh · 31-08-2006, 05:23 PM

have you got economy mode switched on or off? if it's in economy mode it won't kick back down a gear if you accelerate in that speed range unless you really plant your foot, if you switch econ off it should kick down straight away

Crash Lander · 31-08-2006, 09:32 PM

Econ mode is on, but it happens right up to 100kph, so it's not that. I currently have the battery out of the car charging overnight. That should give it a full charge, and reset the computer at the same time. I'll put some new NGK's in it on the weekend, and I reakon that'll fix it. (Hoping anyway! :-))

sednwol · 31-08-2006, 09:36 PM

Do a test to make sure the battery isnt stuffed.

Crash Lander · 31-08-2006, 10:01 PM

I have a spare one if it is.

Crash Lander · 01-09-2006, 08:08 AM

Just put the battery in again, and it starts better now, but it still has the rough idle. Have done the reset sequence too, so in with new plugs on the weekend, and fingers crossed!

howesy · 01-09-2006, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crash Lander

Just put the battery in again, and it starts better now, but it still has the rough idle. Have done the reset sequence too, so in with new plugs on the weekend, and fingers crossed!

Is it just the rough idle now? Is the miss still there as well?
If it's just the idle get a clean soft cloth and open the butterfly and wipe out the throttle body. When my idle got rough on my last one it was a sign to clean it. But the new leads etc will still be a benefit as you'll know it's all S**T hot.

Crash Lander · 01-09-2006, 10:59 AM

The miss is still there too. Hopefully new plugs will sort it out. I'll also squirt some soapy water along the manifold and check for a vaccuum leak just in case.

keepinup · 05-09-2006, 02:57 PM

Crash Lander how did you go with your rough idling & missing problem?
me parents in NZ are having very simular probs but cash is holding them back from trying to get it fixed ford in NZ qouted just for leads $600 WTF & the mech at diff spot said he could get them for $300 what was the prise for your leads I can get them for $185 here in tassie. Thanks

JC · 05-09-2006, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keepinup

Crash Lander how did you go with your rough idling & missing problem?
me parents in NZ are having very simular probs but cash is holding them back from trying to get it fixed ford in NZ qouted just for leads $600 WTF & the mech at diff spot said he could get them for $300 what was the prise for your leads I can get them for $185 here in tassie. Thanks

They must be for a V8, right? The top gun leads do a good job on the 8s - for around $200 a set.

howesy · 05-09-2006, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

They must be for a V8, right? The top gun leads do a good job on the 8s - for around $200 a set.

Time you got a new supplier I just got my top guns for $144 delivered.

AU3 HERROD XR8 · 05-09-2006, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howesy

Time you got a new supplier I just got my top guns for $144 delivered.

LOL, OUCH!, Yeah i picked my set up around that price aswell, you really feel the difference.

JC · 05-09-2006, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howesy

Time you got a new supplier I just got my top guns for $144 delivered.

I bought mine 2 years ago, and they were $199.50.

Where are they $144?

Crash Lander · 05-09-2006, 05:31 PM

1 set of Bosch Ignition leads for a 6 cylinder AU Falcon Series 1. $74.40 from Bursons! $30 for my mechanic to fit them while I was at work!
Since found the same leads at Supercheap, for $5 each! Judging by the prices you got quoted, I don't feel so ripped off now!

Incidentally, I replaced the spark plugs (which were Bosch ones that looked pretty old) with some NGK ones, and it made no difference.

I might do the fuel filter later, but I don't spend much time idling so I'll put up with it for a while.

rag top · 05-09-2006, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crash Lander

Hi guys! I found reference in some other threads here about a rough idle, and some mentioned a slight engine miss. These posts said that they had fixed them, but failed to mention how!
My 99 AU that I only bought on Monday has a slightly rough idle, and in top gear, when I just touch the accelerator, it has a definate hesitation/stutter before it accelerates.
I'm guessing it could be leads, so I've bought a set, and will fit them this weekend, but was wondering if I'm heading down the right track.

I love this site by the way. Full of both good and bad things about the Fords. Too many forums are either all bad, or all good. Nice to see a balance of both, but discussed in a constructive way.

Have you tried this:
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=59434

Crash Lander · 06-09-2006, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rag top

Have you tried this:
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=59434

Yeah, I cleaned out the throttle body, but it made no difference. I did get a heap of rap out of it though.
My base idle seems fine, it just is a little irregular.

rag top · 06-09-2006, 08:49 PM

Did you also clean the IAC (Idle Air Control) valve and ports whilst cleaning out the throttle body as well??

Crash Lander · 06-09-2006, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rag top

Did you also clean the IAC (Idle Air Control) valve and ports whilst cleaning out the throttle body as well??

No sir, I didn't! You might be onto something there.

:

Now, if only I knew what and where they were, I'd be eager to give them a clean and see if that solves the problem.

:

Any help there?

Also, on another note, I don't seem to be able to find a dipstick to check my auto transmission fluid. Does it even have one?

:

rag top · 06-09-2006, 09:26 PM

Trans was a sealed unit - no dipstick. Check from under the car.

If you like, PM me your fax number, and I'll fax through to you the pages from the manual on the IAC...