Problem with a 99 Ford Contouring-Shuttering

[powayroger]

The wife’s Contour is a automatic with 88,000 miles on it. She reports that when at a stop and the car is just idling, the engine surges and shutters. It doesn’t do it if the car is moving and foot not on the accelerator.

Any guesses what it could before she calls the dealership? I’m thinking a bad tank of gas and was thinking about putting a can of B-12 in the fuel tank.


Thanks

 

[OVERKILL]

Try cleaning the IAC.

 

[Colt45ws]

Is it better if the A/C is off?

 

[jorton]

My 99 Mercury Tracer does the same thing when the ac is on. They may have the same 2.0 sohc engine. The shuddering in mine is even synchronized with the turn signals so I think it's an electrical problem.

Shuddering stops when I move the shifter to N, so I also think it's a torque converter problem.

I have replaced motor and trans mounts.
Done a cooler line atf exchange w/new filter.
Cleaned chasis grounds in the engine compartment.

I hope you get a fix and post so I can fix my car too.

 

[ThirdeYe]

My sister has an Escort ZX2 with the 2.0 DOHC and at idle it's very harsh with a lot of vibration. It only does it at idle though, accelerating it's smooth. With the A/C on, it's worse but even without it on it's still pretty harsh. I tried switching to 5W-20 and that didn't make any difference. We also had a worn motor mount replaced but that didn't help either... I'm stumped as well.

 

[powayroger]

AC hasn't been on so it's not related to that.

 

[Colt45ws]

Now, on a completely different car I realize, but I fixed rough idle in my Cavalier with a set of Taylor 8.2mm plug wires and fresh copper Autolites. Just something to think about.

 

[powayroger]

It occurs in all gears. If we put our foot on the gas pedal, it goes away, but once when foot is off the pedal, the problem come back

 

[Colt45ws]

So, it even shudders when you are coasting down with foot off of the brake and gas and in D?

 

[powayroger]

No, if she is coasting down a hill, it does not shutter. It only happens when stopped.

 

[ThirdeYe]

Originally Posted By: Onmo'Eegusee
Now, on a completely different car I realize, but I fixed rough idle in my Cavalier with a set of Taylor 8.2mm plug wires and fresh copper Autolites. Just something to think about.


I toyed with the idea of new spark plugs. I just bought 4 new NGK Platinums that I'll put in when I get a chance.

 

[jorton]

New plugs didn't cure my Tracer.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Try cleaning the IAC.


That was my first thought. I had a 93 Sentra with a dirty idle air control valve. It would stumble at idle. Almost die when when the A/C was turned on. But once it was going it would not stumble at all.

 

[Johnny248]

my Countour 2.0 does that if the defrost is on, or a/c is on. Any time the compressor kicks on it is a big deal lol I just drive it. It's a 98, 11 years old, whatever.

 

[PT1]

I would give it a major tune up. Plugs/wires/air filter/fuel filter/clean throttle body/MAF/IAC valve and PCV valve.

 

[powayroger]

It got it's 100k tunup about 6k ago.

The problem was a cracked PCV hose, which, if my wife could have waited until this weekend, I could have checked it out and replaced it, saving me $$

 

[jorton]

Thanks, I'll check that.

 

[artificialist]

On most Ford cars, that PCV hose has such sharp bends that you can't just buy bulk hose from an auto parts store. No aftermarket company builds such a molded hose.

It is dealer only.

 

[jimvegas]

Originally Posted By: powayroger
It got it's 100k tunup about 6k ago.

The problem was a cracked PCV hose, which, if my wife could have waited until this weekend, I could have checked it out and replaced it, saving me $$


I saw this thread too late, I was going to suggest that since it's a common problem on this engine.
Glad you got it fixed.

 

[mechtech2]

Keep us guessing about the engine that is in there.
It helps with the diagnosis.
If it is the 2.0 Zetec, it has no balance shaft and vibrates a idle.
A good tune is always a good idea. All vacuum lines and ends must be perfect, and intake connections. Especially check the PV system.
If you are stopped for more than 10 seconds, take it out of gear and put it in neutral.