LEROY84

Yeah the plug wires are pretty new, I got this car used so I inherited all of her underlying problems as well. I'll check/change the plugs this week. I can just use a spark plug socket and extension to get at them right, I won't have to remove anything in order to get at the plugs? -Thanks, Steve.

So I checked my stupid CEL and the code came back misfire on cylinder 1. Is this a bad spark plug? I am not happy with my car right now, I'll still drive her but I'm not happy. Any advice would be appreciated I just need to know what to fix. -Thanks, Steve.

Cool, thanks a lot Jeff, I'll get around to replacing that sensor as soon as possible!

Thanks a lot Jeff, I was a little hesitant to ask since I've been doing a lot of that in the past few days. Is there a specific O2 sensor I should ask for or are the two pre-cat sensors the same just in different locations... See look at that I feel fine so I ask more questions lol. I have a guy who can get parts at cost so that'll save me some cash for sure! Lawnmower=Sweet Satisfaction -Steve

Well guess who paid me a visit? Oh you guessed right, my little orange CEL. It only came up with P0153 this time though the 1151 seems to have gone away which is kind of lice I guess. I'm going to have to find this little O2 sensor and throw it clear across the parking lot, and install a new one. O2 sensor has a slow response, well pick up the pace then you piece of crap lol. -Steve

Idling seems to be more stable now and hasn't shot off and I've purposely let it idle a few times. I'm going out again to pick up some stuff so I'll take her for another drive, YAY we'll see what happens today and I think that'll be a good indicator as to whether or not the problem has gotten better. Update soon. -Steve

Well I took her for a drive after I erased the codes and the CEL hasn't come back on yet? Hopefully it stays off forever, I can't remember how long the cycle was before the computer picked up the code last time but it wasn't long. Anyway I will keep you guys posted see if anything else happens... -Steve

I'll clear the codes and see what happens. I gotta go get some stuff so I'll take her for a spin and see what happens. Thanks guys. -Steve

I will run regular then, which makes my wallet happy! Also I don't know how I missed this but in another post I mentioned a hose possibly missing from my cold air intake, but someone informed me the empty spot was for a Air Intake Temperature sensor, which I found dangling there and just plugged it back into it's hole like 15 minutes ago. Also I need to change the O2 sensor I am getting codes 1151 and 0153 from. Any possibility the O2 sensor has anything to do with the problems I have described? I know this thread is getting out of control with my crap but is this the sensor that is next to where the EGR hose is at the 3-1 part of the manifold? I really need to start doing these kinds of things for myself so I can save some CASH. Any insight into my ongoing dilemma would be once again appreciated. -Steve

Is there a specific cleaner and method I should use and will I have to replace the gasket after I remove the IAC? Just running regular gas I will try some Supreme next time I fill up. Hopefully this solves my problem. Again today though I was in a parking lot and got in my car to leave and she didn't want to start again Then I waited a minute and sure enough she started... I'm going to start by cleaning the IAC and see where that gets me. -Thanks for the advice guys, Steve.

Hey just wondering what everyones car's idle at, mine idles at like 750 rpms. It has been acting up lately when idling it will go up to like 1000 rpms and then it like bogs out and stalls. This doesn't happen often but it still happens. Also today I had some trouble starting my car it would turn but not start? Then it started? I am wondering if it would be the IAC valve, I checked the vacuum hose to the EGR (the green one) and the rest of the lines seem to be fine. Is the IAC valve the likely culprit here? Are there any other things I should check? Any suggestions would be appreciated. i am just getting frustrated because it seems like I fix something and then... something else, I'm sure we've all been through this. -Thanks, Steve.

Hey everyone, I just noticed this today which is kind of scary and odd but my cold air intake seems to be missing a hose. On the side side closest to the car there are two hoses connected but there is a spot with one of those rubber grommets that looks like it is supposed to house a sensor of some kind. This cannot be good. I would take a picture but my girlfriend is in Mexico with it right now! I'm not too sure but did they even make a cold air intake specifically for the 2.5 V6's or were they just used on these cars and made for the SVT's? Anyways should I find a way to plug this hole? And any suggestions/advice would be appreciated. I want to go out and drive in this beautiful weather! -Steve

1998 Contour Sport GL MTX 158,000 kms 98,176 miles

Awesome, thank you Jeff (I am assuming that's your name) I will give those a check tomorrow and see what's up? Also I guess I now have to start pricing some O2 sensors....I should probably get a new filter for my cold air intake as well, it just looks old and crappy. -Thanks again, Steve.

Yeah I don't really like my neighbors so they'll have to deal with it for now. I'll check for vacuum leaks as well, not too sure what I'm looking for so if you have any advice on where to start that would be more than appreciated. Remember I am only starting to figure out how things on my car work, and how to fix them so be gentle lol. -Steve

As stated I have the mentioned trouble codes when I run my OBDII. They are for (O2 sensor circuit low voltage bank 2 sensor 1) and (O2 sensor circuit slow response bank 2 sensor 1) respectively. Also when I first start on my car and drive it for like the first 3-5 minutes and idle at a light the car has stalled on two different occasions, could this O2 sensor be a contributing factor? Also if anyone knows which O2 sensor corresponds with this code (i.e it's location) it would be appreciated. When I bought the car it had the muffler removed and is currently running straight pipe, does anyone think it would be in my best interest to put a new muffler on? Any input would be appreciated, Thanks. -Steve

Do I have to twist like really effing hard, I thought that's all I had to do but I never "really" tried to twist it off yet just kinda sorta tried. Cool I'll give it a shot. -Steve.

Hey Everyone, I don't know why but I have always had trouble removing shifter knobs from my cars. I have a '98 Contour GL if that makes any difference, and any help would be appreciated. Also do I have to be picky with the shifter knob I choose as it has the lift and pull thing to put the shifter in reverse? -Thanks, Steve.

Checked hoses and stuff and it looks as if it's the gasket, I'll get a new one and it's nice that it's a cheap part. -Steve

Hey today I noticed that there was a little coolant under my car when I left my parking spot. This is something new, the other day I added coolant to the reservoir and I may have added a little too much. Could this be the cause for the leak? When I jammed my head under the car it looked as if there was a drip coming from the water pump seal, I think. Any input would be appreciated. -Thanks, Steve.

Yeah it's getting warmer and I did mean vacuum cleaner. Pretty much every time the car idles when I'm stopped at a light or something the "hoover" as I call it comes on. Good to know that's what it is. -Thanks, Steve.

As the topic states when my car has been running for a while and I stop at a light it sounds like there is a vaccum under my hood. I'm rocking a 1998 gl 2.5 v6 and just wondering if the sound is noisy cooling fans and is it normal? Any input would be greatly appreciated. -Thanks, Steve.

So all I have to do is unplug the sender and see if the gauge runs hot when I turn on the car? How will I know if it's the sender that's cooked? Sorry for all of the questions I'm not really a mechanic by any means lol. Any advice would be really appreciated. -Thanks, Steve.

Hey guys this is my first post and I just bought a '98 contour 2.5 V6 and my temp gauge is always at hot and doesn't move. I have checked and people with the same problem have said it was the ECT sender as this goes to the gauge. Just wondering if anyone on here has had the same problem. Also I need to know how to ground the sender? -Thanks, Steve.