Newbie---SHO "bucking bronco" question

[spasso]

Greetings all SHO-ers. I just inherited an '89 with 155K miles. No real mods that I know of. This was our family car since new in '89. Please excuse me if this question has been asked a hundred times.

The car runs fine 95% of the time. Occasionally, usually when the outside temp is warm, the car will literally buck like a horse. I don't know how else to describe it, but I imagine it is like trying to run off 2 cylinders. However, if I push in the clutch, the engine revs perfectly. Try to apply power back to the wheels and ... bucking like crazy. Sometimes it will only buck twice, but once it did it for about 5 mins straight. At that time, I had to run along in 3rd gear since the bucking can't be felt as much around 5K rpm. Sorry for the long post but do any of you have any idea what is going on? The symptoms make me think it is either the clutch or transmission, but maybe it is the engine when load is applied instead of free-revving. I know my father has already replaced the clutch and the engine ECU computer trying to fix the problem.

Hope this is a clear enough description.

I'll probably coming back for more troubleshooting once I own the car for a while longer.

Thanks again for any help you can give me on this.

 

[luigisho]

Sounds like cam sensor. Check the codes and see what comes up.

 

[underdog1924]

Here is the link on how to scan the computer without going to a dealer or buying an expensive scanner. http://shotimes.com/SHO3eeccodes.html I believe your car will give 2 digit codes when you go to check them on the sheet. Good luck

 

[ricksmol]

You might have a water pump leaking onto the crankshaft position sensor. What you described is exactly what happens when the CPS is screwing up.
Rick

 

[spasso]

Thanks for the help guys. I need to check on my dad's notes, I know he kept a complete maintenance log on the computer somewhere. Sounds like it may be some expensive stuff though. frown

 

[spasso]

Here's an update on what my dad has REALLY done to try to solve the bucking:

--Replaced Plug Wires, not sure which brand, but they cost $225. I am almost positive they were Motorcraft ones.

--Replaced the DIS module. I know, because the old one is in the glovebox

--He had also put in some Bosch Platinum +4 plugs which I KNOW need to be taken out as soon as possible for the Motorcraft ones.

Now: I also checked and I have LOTS of oil in all of my spark plug wells. Is this something that I can wait to take care of during my 180K service?

Or, could this be causing my bucking problem in the first place??

Thanks all...

 

[olympic]

That's your problem right there(oil in the wells). It's causing your plugs wires to misfire. The solution is a new cam cover and plug well gasket set from fel-pro part# VS-50378-R.(under $100 at discount parts stores) But more than likely all that oil has ruined the plugs and wires too so they need to be replaced also. This isn't something that should wait so fix it now. You may consider doing the 180k service a little sooner to save on labor and gaskets.

If you need to squeeze a little more miles out of it, try sucking the oil out with a pump from a spray bottle. Just stick the straw down the well and start pumping. Clean the plug boot with a rag and some brake cleaner.

 

[luigisho]

Don't let the goop run into the cylinders, clean out as much as you can. If you're going to do some of this yourself Autozone.com for the fel-pro gasket set and Fordpartsnetwork for dealer parts (wires +-$84 plugs $3.99). Check valve lash if you can while it's open. Should be good to go. H2O pump and timing belt can probably wait.