Hi, I have a 1998 Ford Escort Sport with 100000 miles on it. When
accelerating between 2500 and 3000 rpms there are several "stutters". I
wouldn't say they were misfires because the service engine light never
comes on, but it does feel like a misfire. The worst one is at 3000
rpms and it feels like I just turned the air on and it pulls the engine
down for a split second. Strange thing is, it always happens at exactly
3000 rpms. It happens whether hot or cold, hard acceleration or easy.
There are no codes stored in the computer. I've replaced the air
filter, pcv valve, plugs, wires, ran injector cleaner through it, and
checked all the vaccum hoses for leaks. Anybody got a clue as to what
might cause this? Other than this, the car runs great, and if I never
get over 2500 rpms, it never does it. It also gets anywhere from 35 to
40 mpg. I'd appreciate any comments.
Greg
gregthomas11@gmail.com - 03 Sep 2006 00:58 GMT
OK, a couple more things. After doing some research, I found out that
the IMRC opens at somewhere around 3000 rpms, could this be it? If so
are there any adjustments that can be made to this?
One last thing, On the passenger side of the engine compartment on the
firewall side of the engine, under the intake manifold, down where the
oil filter is, I found some type of sensor hanging loose. Its plugged
into the wiring harness that runs to the crank sensor. This sensor is
black, has 2 or 3 wires running to it, it's round, and has a hole in
the middle. It looks like the hole is used to mount the thing
somehwere, but I can't find where it goes to save my life! The leads
running out to it are only 6 to 8 inches long, so it can't be mounted
very far from the oil filter are. Anybody have any ideas?
> Hi, I have a 1998 Ford Escort Sport with 100000 miles on it. When
> accelerating between 2500 and 3000 rpms there are several "stutters". I
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> 40 mpg. I'd appreciate any comments.
> Greg
Bob Bailin - 03 Sep 2006 06:04 GMT
> OK, a couple more things. After doing some research, I found out that
> the IMRC opens at somewhere around 3000 rpms, could this be it? If so
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> running out to it are only 6 to 8 inches long, so it can't be mounted
> very far from the oil filter are. Anybody have any ideas?
Sounds like the knock sensor, which simply bolts somewhere onto
the back of the engine block with just a simple metric bolt and a
split lockwasher to keep the bolt from coming undone again. Like
you said, its location has to be somewhere within the range of its
wiring harness, so get in there with a flashlight and look for an
appropriate tapped hole in the block.
> > Hi, I have a 1998 Ford Escort Sport with 100000 miles on it. When
> > accelerating between 2500 and 3000 rpms there are several "stutters". I
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> > 40 mpg. I'd appreciate any comments.
> > Greg
gregthomas11@gmail.com - 06 Sep 2006 00:50 GMT
> > OK, a couple more things. After doing some research, I found out that
> > the IMRC opens at somewhere around 3000 rpms, could this be it? If so
[quoted text clipped - 31 lines]
> > > 40 mpg. I'd appreciate any comments.
> > > Greg
Yeah, I'll try that. Thanks!
sleepdog@optonline.net - 05 Sep 2006 04:41 GMT
>The worst one is at 3000
> rpms and it feels like I just turned the air on and it pulls the engine
> down for a split second. Strange thing is, it always happens at exactly
> 3000 rpms. It happens whether hot or cold, hard acceleration or easy.
Not familiar with the late model Escorts but did you consider possibly
EGR is kicking in? That is, unless you are familiar then excuse me for
being verbose, the introduction of recycled exhaust gasses into the air
intake.
gregthomas11@gmail.com - 06 Sep 2006 00:48 GMT
> >The worst one is at 3000
> > rpms and it feels like I just turned the air on and it pulls the engine
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> being verbose, the introduction of recycled exhaust gasses into the air
> intake.
I thought about that, I had a similar problem on another vehicle one
time. I think I simply plugged the hose going to the egr valve. Can I
do this on this car, I don't want to damage anything else.
Picasso - 06 Sep 2006 01:13 GMT
>>> The worst one is at 3000
>>> rpms and it feels like I just turned the air on and it pulls the engine
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> time. I think I simply plugged the hose going to the egr valve. Can I
> do this on this car, I don't want to damage anything else.
Did you ever figure the problem out with this... my mothers car is
having the same problem. i am going to put a fuel filter on it sometime
to see if thats related.
Let me know what you find about this.
Maybe i'll put an EGR valve on it like someone else said.
Thanks.
gregthomas11@gmail.com - 08 Sep 2006 19:14 GMT
> >>> The worst one is at 3000
> >>> rpms and it feels like I just turned the air on and it pulls the engine
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>
> Thanks.
Nope, still same problem. I'm leaning toward a fuel problem because the
"stutters" happen around 3000 rpm which is where the IMRC kicks in,
which opens the manifold up and, I'm assuming, pushes more air into the
cylinders. If the power drops momentarily when this happens, then this
tells me there is a lean mixture at that point. I'm still searching.
I'll let you know, and you do the same for me!
Greg
gregthomas11@gmail.com - 11 Sep 2006 22:44 GMT
> > >>> The worst one is at 3000
> > >>> rpms and it feels like I just turned the air on and it pulls the engine
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> I'll let you know, and you do the same for me!
> Greg
BTW - I tried unhooking the EGR valve and plugging the hose. No
improvement. One thing though, my service engine soon light came on
yesterday so I hooked it back up. It didn't go off though so I'm going
to run it by my neighborhood Auto Zone and let them tell me what the
code is before I try unhooking the battery.