I've got a manual 1996 Ford Mustang Gt. It's a 4.6L (v8).
Here are the symptoms: As I'm shifting gears, the car "acts" like it doesn't have any power to go. I guess the best way to describe it... is... it runs like it's out of gas.... it gurlgles, and sputters to go. Finally it'll catch and run like it supposed to after so many rpm.
I actually checked the spark plugs and one of them was completely fried (it looked as if something had hit it- it was completely black and the 'hook' part was crushed). I replaced it and it's continuously doing the same thing... what else could it be?
My gas also smells like gas... I'm not sure if the mixture is off but something definitely isn't right. Any car savvy people, please help me figure this out, if you can. I will be happy to answer any questions.
I'm not due for an oil change just yet, and everything else is fine. My gauges are working properly... so I'm at a loss.
AnonymousGearhead2012-11-28T14:48:25Z
Favorite Answer
Give it a FULL tune up. ALL new plugs, wires. You could have a coil pack going dead or a burnt wire.
Case in point: I had the exact same trouble with a 1.8L Ford Escort. It would run fine for about 5 minutes, then start stumbling and hesitating below 3000rpm. Above 3000rpm, it would run great. I took it apart when I got home, and found the #3 plug wire was burnt to a crisp. I replaced all the plugs and the wires, and it ran like a champ. It's not a fuel problem, it's a spark problem. The smell of fuel and the stumbling tells me that. Raw fuel making it to and through the cat, down on power...I'm betting either you have a bad coil pack (5 minutes to change, new one is $50), bad plug wire (or wires), and/or bad plugs.
Also, the plug with the crushed ground strap, sounds like someone bashed it on the cylinder head when putting the plug in.
Mustang Girl A lack of automotive maintenance is the main reasons why you are having troubles with your car. A complete tune up is the first thing to do and then after that see if any kind of check engine codes are stored in the cars computer,it will tell you just how bad the issues are with it. A complete fuel system tune up is also onthe must have it done list. Next time try studying your cars owners manual for all the upcoming needs it has to have to keep it running at its best.
There must be something that caused the electrode of the spark plug to be smashed - like maybe a nut or bolt fell into the engine. I'd remove the plug again, and bend the electrode back, or install a new one, then run the engine for 10 seconds and remove the plug to determine if it's OK. If the plug is OK, then I think I would drive it as normal, then check it the next day. Also, try to observe the blackness of the plug better - does it appear glossy and wet, or dry and sooty? If you think the exhaust smells like raw fuel, then you're probably right - fuel is not igniting in the engine and going right into the exhaust manifold, which would be caused by the spark plug not working.
hmm... Get your timing checked.... sounds like your spark plug is fowling usually does this when combustion is off and if the hook at the end was crushed the cylinder could have hit it as it moved up and the valve pushed out. typicall the valve will open while the cylinder is in the down postion then the piston comes up and compressing the air and fuel but if the timing is off the valves and cylinder may hit. also if you had one bad plug you should check them all... might also want to test the spark for each wire. hope i helped!