Not A Ford Question

6T9PONY · 11-03-2002, 10:34 PM

This doesn't have to do with my Mustang, or any other Ford....But I figure most everyone in here has a great amount of knowledge in all cars, not just Fords.

My girlfriend's '99 Cavalier Z24 (2.4L, Auto) has been running a little strange. Sometimes on acceleration the engine will stumble, sputter and pop a little bit with a LARGE amount of power loss. It sounds pretty horrible. It doesn't do it all the time, but it's not extremely rare, either.

It's a pretty loud noise, and the car shudders a little when it happens. It's very, very noticeable.

I'm probably not going to find out anything totally specific but I'd like to hear a few peoples' opinions on it then I'll take it from there....

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Agent_4573 · 11-04-2002, 04:55 PM

how long has it been since you've had a tuneup on the car. it kinda sounds like a wire is grounding out or some sorts of that. My truck did that same thing, mostly when i got it wet, but i looked at the wires and 3 outta 4 of em were cracked in half so i could see the actual conductor in the wire.

6T9PONY · 11-04-2002, 07:06 PM

It's probably never had a tuneup....I'll check the plug wires and maybe I'll change the plugs for her....

My mom's '95 Chevy Lumina minivan has never had a tuneup either...120,000 miles....the fuel pump did go out a couple thousand miles ago, but that's it....original plugs/wires, everything. Still runs perfect and gets 25 mpg...But shhhh, don't let any of the Chevy guys get big heads.....

Anyone else have any ideas?

11-04-2002, 09:37 PM

Hey 6T9Pony..I don't know if you know this man, but all cars have a standard maintenance schedule. Usually at 30,000/60,000/90,000 and usually more often after 100,000 miles. Each manufacturar advises which services are to be done. Some new cars have longer schedule intervals on differential fluids, radiator fluid and transfer case fluids, but a good ASE certified shop can help you with these. It does cost a lot to maintain a car. Unfortunately, that is usually what costs the most.

If you want to tackle the jobs yourself, pick-up a Haynes or Chilton guide for the car. It's a great resource. I'd agree that if it's having firing/back firing issues new plugs, wires, change trans fluid, etc. Clean him up first, then panic.

~Jane~

srv1 · 11-04-2002, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 6T9PONY
It's probably never had a tuneup....I'll check the plug wires and maybe I'll change the plugs for her....

My mom's '95 Chevy Lumina minivan has never had a tuneup either...120,000 miles....the fuel pump did go out a couple thousand miles ago, but that's it....original plugs/wires, everything. Still runs perfect and gets 25 mpg...But shhhh, don't let any of the Chevy guys get big heads.....

Anyone else have any ideas?

6T9. if it is a 2.4, then it doesnt have wires. it most likely is the Isolater. it has Coil on plug. you have to remove the top cover(i think 4 bolts) and you will see what i am talking about. This motor your are talking about is the Quad 4, correct? isolaters are big problem with them. it sounds like a spark problem, but i really cant diagnose something from a bar stool now can i? let me know what you have found.

moc · 11-04-2002, 11:26 PM

ALL the things that we ford guy's do > One open that hood at night and see if there's a disco going on ( only kiding) no do the same things ( use a good throttle body spray ) disconnect the battery (it's not quite like a ford .. but there stupid computer will detec the change ) and do her a favor ,, and air filter ,gas filter , plugs , wires .... you no what you'll get in return ( *%$#@@@@$$$##) so do it

TMASTER · 11-05-2002, 09:44 AM

Run some Injector cleaner through it, and premium fuel! that will clean it out, and if the timming is off it will take care of it also, it could be pinging... my dads truck does that 2000 ranger, he runs premuim and it doesnt ping anymore.

1969Mach1 · 11-05-2002, 11:24 AM

YOUR DATING A GIRL WITH A CHEVY!!! Well that's your first problem dude....

j/k..... I would say just check the plugs and wires. Sounds like it's having a hard time igniting, maybe a simple fix would be try to run injector cleaner threw it and see if that helps..... I would try to put premium in it, and then take it on the highway for a good boot.

Good luck,
¡ìam.

6T9PONY · 11-05-2002, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by srv1
6T9. if it is a 2.4, then it doesnt have wires. it most likely is the Isolater. it has Coil on plug. you have to remove the top cover(i think 4 bolts) and you will see what i am talking about. This motor your are talking about is the Quad 4, correct? isolaters are big problem with them. it sounds like a spark problem, but i really cant diagnose something from a bar stool now can i? let me know what you have found.

I've actually never had the hood open on it and checked out the engine. I just know it has a 2.4L.....Quad 4? No clue.

Funny thing is she got the car taken away from her last night (the reason is really lame, her dad's a cool guy, get along with him good, but really lame reason) so it will probably be a few days until I get the chance to look at it.

I'll check the throttle body and make sure it's clean and I'll put some injector cleaner/premium in it and take it out on the highways for awhile. I might pull the plugs and check them too.

Thanks for all the help. If anyone comes up with a new idea let me know.

6T9PONY · 11-06-2002, 05:51 PM

Well I had the chance to work on my girlfriend's car today after school. srv1, you were right. It doesn't have plug wires, it has the isolators like you were talking about. I pulled off the top cover and checked those, they looked to be ok visually, but I couldn't really tell that good. I pulled all 4 plugs and they were all normal. I had the battery disconnected for about 20 minutes. I started it up after I had it all back together and drove it for a couple minutes.

I now believe it's a computer problem, not a mechanical or spark issue. It runs perfect until about 3500 revs, then it surges up to about 4200 rpm, back to 3700, up to 4200, down to 3700, etc. It did this at full throttle and at part throttle. I can get access to a code puller and I'll pull the codes and see what it comes up with.

Thanks for all the help so far. I appreciate it.

11-07-2002, 10:57 PM

SRV1 you're the man!

6T9, earlier in the thread I said "....clean him up first, then panic".. O.K.....Computer =) Panic dude! You must really dig this girl to be doing all this on a scary little Chevy engine!

Hope it doesn't cost too much. Good Luck!

~Jane~

6T9PONY · 11-07-2002, 11:18 PM

HAH! I haven't spent a penny! Oh wait, I did spend like $1.94 on a bottle of fuel injector cleaner, but THAT'S IT!

I can use the code puller for free, it's just a matter of when I get the chance to do it.

But I do really dig her...We've pretty much been together since the summer before the 8th grade....I'm now over 1/4 done with my senior year of high school. There have been a few breaks and other girls have come and gone, but we always end up back together.

11-03-2002, 10:34 PM	#1
6T9PONY All about the Windsor. Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 2,052	Not A Ford Question This doesn't have to do with my Mustang, or any other Ford....But I figure most everyone in here has a great amount of knowledge in all cars, not just Fords. My girlfriend's '99 Cavalier Z24 (2.4L, Auto) has been running a little strange. Sometimes on acceleration the engine will stumble, sputter and pop a little bit with a LARGE amount of power loss. It sounds pretty horrible. It doesn't do it all the time, but it's not extremely rare, either. It's a pretty loud noise, and the car shudders a little when it happens. It's very, very noticeable. I'm probably not going to find out anything totally specific but I'd like to hear a few peoples' opinions on it then I'll take it from there.... Thanks in advance for all your help.

11-04-2002, 04:55 PM	#2
Agent_4573 Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: New Jersey Posts: 375	how long has it been since you've had a tuneup on the car. it kinda sounds like a wire is grounding out or some sorts of that. My truck did that same thing, mostly when i got it wet, but i looked at the wires and 3 outta 4 of em were cracked in half so i could see the actual conductor in the wire. __________________ '89 LX 5.0, off-road h pipe, flowmaster muffs, underdrive pulleys, rebuilt WC T-5, King Cobra Clutch, 65mm throttle body, Explorer Upper/GT40 lower, Lakewood Rear Lift Bars. 76mm C&L Mass air w/ inlet pipe, Twisted wedge heads w/ stage 2 port,polish, MAC equal length shorties, Billet AFPR, 255LPH fuel pump, fresh low end w/ 10.5:1 compression. If anyone ever wants to go to Raceway Park in Englishtown New Jersey, give me a shout. RICER HATERS CLUB MEMBER 87! www.ricehatersclub.com

11-04-2002, 09:37 PM	#4
Janeofalltrades Guest Posts: n/a	Scheduled Maintenance Hey 6T9Pony..I don't know if you know this man, but all cars have a standard maintenance schedule. Usually at 30,000/60,000/90,000 and usually more often after 100,000 miles. Each manufacturar advises which services are to be done. Some new cars have longer schedule intervals on differential fluids, radiator fluid and transfer case fluids, but a good ASE certified shop can help you with these. It does cost a lot to maintain a car. Unfortunately, that is usually what costs the most. If you want to tackle the jobs yourself, pick-up a Haynes or Chilton guide for the car. It's a great resource. I'd agree that if it's having firing/back firing issues new plugs, wires, change trans fluid, etc. Clean him up first, then panic. ~Jane~

11-04-2002, 11:26 PM	#6
moc Registered Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ocean City , Maryland Posts: 344	I would do ALL the things that we ford guy's do > One open that hood at night and see if there's a disco going on ( only kiding) no do the same things ( use a good throttle body spray ) disconnect the battery (it's not quite like a ford .. but there stupid computer will detec the change ) and do her a favor ,, and air filter ,gas filter , plugs , wires .... you no what you'll get in return ( *%$#@@@@$$$##) so do it __________________ 1991 5.0 NotchBack,Black as of 05/04/09 34,300mi. 2001 LIGHTNING Black 29,872 mi. 05/04/09 (Hangar Queen) SMOKEM UP

11-05-2002, 09:44 AM	#7
TMASTER Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: TEXAS Posts: 161	yeah Run some Injector cleaner through it, and premium fuel! that will clean it out, and if the timming is off it will take care of it also, it could be pinging... my dads truck does that 2000 ranger, he runs premuim and it doesnt ping anymore.

11-04-2002, 07:06 PM	#3
6T9PONY All about the Windsor. Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 2,052	It's probably never had a tuneup....I'll check the plug wires and maybe I'll change the plugs for her.... My mom's '95 Chevy Lumina minivan has never had a tuneup either...120,000 miles....the fuel pump did go out a couple thousand miles ago, but that's it....original plugs/wires, everything. Still runs perfect and gets 25 mpg...But shhhh, don't let any of the Chevy guys get big heads..... Anyone else have any ideas?

11-05-2002, 11:24 AM	#8
1969Mach1 HEY I CAN SET A NAME NOW! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,556	YOUR DATING A GIRL WITH A CHEVY!!! Well that's your first problem dude.... j/k..... I would say just check the plugs and wires. Sounds like it's having a hard time igniting, maybe a simple fix would be try to run injector cleaner threw it and see if that helps..... I would try to put premium in it, and then take it on the highway for a good boot. Good luck, ¡ìam. __________________ 1969 Mustang Mach 1Sold 351-4V Windsor, 4 Speed MACH 1 - Moving At The Speed Of Sound. 1979 Mustang Indianapolis 500 Pace Car For Sale - Email me for Info 302-2V, 3-Speed Auto One of 2,106 made One of 405 sent to Canada. Yes those are caution lights, and No you can't pass me when there on. Ricer Hater's Club - Member #4

11-06-2002, 05:51 PM	#10
6T9PONY All about the Windsor. Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 2,052	Well I had the chance to work on my girlfriend's car today after school. srv1, you were right. It doesn't have plug wires, it has the isolators like you were talking about. I pulled off the top cover and checked those, they looked to be ok visually, but I couldn't really tell that good. I pulled all 4 plugs and they were all normal. I had the battery disconnected for about 20 minutes. I started it up after I had it all back together and drove it for a couple minutes. I now believe it's a computer problem, not a mechanical or spark issue. It runs perfect until about 3500 revs, then it surges up to about 4200 rpm, back to 3700, up to 4200, down to 3700, etc. It did this at full throttle and at part throttle. I can get access to a code puller and I'll pull the codes and see what it comes up with. Thanks for all the help so far. I appreciate it.

11-07-2002, 10:57 PM	#11
Janeofalltrades Guest Posts: n/a	You're a sport! SRV1 you're the man! 6T9, earlier in the thread I said "....clean him up first, then panic".. O.K.....Computer =) Panic dude! You must really dig this girl to be doing all this on a scary little Chevy engine! Hope it doesn't cost too much. Good Luck! ~Jane~

11-07-2002, 11:18 PM	#12
6T9PONY All about the Windsor. Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 2,052	HAH! I haven't spent a penny! Oh wait, I did spend like $1.94 on a bottle of fuel injector cleaner, but THAT'S IT! I can use the code puller for free, it's just a matter of when I get the chance to do it. But I do really dig her...We've pretty much been together since the summer before the 8th grade....I'm now over 1/4 done with my senior year of high school. There have been a few breaks and other girls have come and gone, but we always end up back together.

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