Sluggish Performance from 95 ATX

[DETSHO]

I got my RED 95 ATX at 112K, with over $1000 worth of suspension needed to be done on it and the CE, ABS, and Voltage light on. So first things first, I started with the suspension and engine work first. I got all the suspension work done (Tie Rods, ball joints, wheel bearings, bushings) except for new tokico struts and eibach springs. Now when I first ran a test on my engine the codes I got misfire/lean/rich codes so the guy I went to said he checked the O2 sensors and only one was bad so he replaced that........it still ran the same and still had the CE light. So I got a new mechanic and he told me that the other one was bad too, on top of that I checked the plugs myself and they had tons of oil in the plug wells. So I got the new O2 sensors and got the Valve gasket kit from MIDwest SHO for $60 with the new gaskets and seals and my mechanic cleaned all the oil from the plug wells and other places oil shouldn't be (I saw him doing this). So i had that done and replaced the plugs and wires. I drove it and I had somewhat of a boost in performance, but still got a CE light. So me and my mechanic stood watching what codes the engine had now and the only one it had was the EGR sensor (he said something about the engine wasn't recycling some of the exhaust like it should be). After the he used a guage on the EGR valve to see if it was leaking and he said it held the pressure like it should, so its the sensor I know. My question is would a bad EGR sensor revive my performance like I hope it will or will I STILL be searching for a cause to my low performance?

 

[wood_e]

If the voltage light is on you have problems with your charging system... the first thing you probably should've done was check your battery and alternator for proper output voltage and replace whichever read low

 

[DETSHO]

REPLY to Sluggish Performance......

I appreciate the advice, but I had a question about it.......could you explain how could my charging system affect my performance as far as acceleration?

 

[wood_e]

I appreciate the advice, but I had a question about it.......could you explain how could my charging system affect my performance as far as acceleration?

Well when your cars charging sustem is out of wack it can act real funky. Your coil pack might not be getting enough power to it causing it to run badly, your sensors may not be gettng the right amount of power... etc...

 

[DETSHO]

REPLY to Sluggish Performance......

Well I will go get my charging system checked out before I do anything else to the engine to regain my power back.

I had 2 more questions though I just came home not too long ago and popped the hood to listen to the engine it sounds fine except for a fan-like sound almost like putting a small flemsy card in the fan. The other question is besides the charging system could my fuel pump have anything to do with my performance it does sometime humm loud after I started it up

 

[DETSHO]

REPLY to Sluggish Performance......

Well I will go get my charging system checked out before I do anything else to the engine to regain my power back.

I had 2 more questions though I just came home not too long ago and popped the hood to listen to the engine it sounds fine except for a fan-like sound almost like putting a small flemsy card in the fan. The other question is besides the charging system could my fuel pump have anything to do with my performance it does sometime humm loud after I started it up

Anyone wanna help me out here???

 

[Zap]

Fuel pump hum is generally normal when you first turn the key to on. Is it actually humming when the car is running, and you can hear it over the car?

 

[DETSHO]

REPLY to Sluggish Performance......

Yup, if you walk up to the car you can hear the humming sometimes. Also, sometimes when I start it up it doesn't turn over right away it kind of sputters then by the time I turn the key back from being in start position it catches and starts, after it sputters though. Would low performance and sputtering starts be the result of a bad EGR sensor?

[Oh yeah besides that she runs perfect, might need a Valve lash adjustment since I don't if the last person even checked the shims]

 

[HopefulSHO]

In both Ford's that I've had a fuel pump go out on me, the car felt fine until the pump just let go. Would start an hour later and run fine for a week then just up and die again. Both were getting pretty loud too.

Most EGR problems with SHOs can be cleared up by cleaning the EGR passages in the intake manifold. Would be a good time to tuneup everything else since the intake would be off. I doubt your EGR is causing your performance problems; but who knows?

And definatly get your charging system in order - low voltage from your system means low voltage at your spark plugs, too - could be half of your peroformance problem.

Here is a link to the SHOTimes artcile about checking your car's trouble codes. With specific codes in hand we will be able to help diagnose your problem better.