Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Engine Tech => Topic started by: 88cat on June 17, 2006, 06:41:43 PM

Title: 2.3 sputtering real bad
Post by: 88cat on June 17, 2006, 06:41:43 PM
I have a 88 t-coupe took out the original 2.3 installed another 2.3 but its sputtering real bad. This other 2.3 has stinger header, holset h1c, fmic, ported intakes head and was running good but started sputtering real bad. This all started after a sharp turn i had made I already changed the fuel filter the fuel psi is 40psi and i was running blowthrough vam changed to drawtrough did not help. I have messed with timing fuel nothing what could it be?  Also when its at high rpms it runs good but when i come to a stop starts sputtering. help
Title: 2.3 sputtering real bad
Post by: 88turbo on June 17, 2006, 08:52:24 PM
sounds like we are in the same position :(  mine is doing the same thing
Title: 2.3 sputtering real bad
Post by: Sick88Tbird on June 17, 2006, 09:42:38 PM
Does it clear up after about 3000rpm? How is it under full throttle...I'm leaning towards a possible O2 sensor...pull the codes and see what you get.
Title: 2.3 sputtering real bad
Post by: 88turbo on June 17, 2006, 10:37:10 PM
mine clears up around 3000 when the turbo kicks in.  I have tried numerous o2 sensors and the problem is still there I am starting to think that I might have a weak coil could this be possible?  I have been going through a set of plugs in about a weeks time due to fuel/carbon fouling.
Title: 2.3 sputtering real bad
Post by: Sick88Tbird on June 18, 2006, 07:46:00 AM
"weak plugs" would probably cause more of a problem once the boost comes in...if your plugs are fouling in only a weeks time, I would venture to say it's running extremely rich...or, you have an internal oil leak...do you notice any smoking?  Are all your plugs identical looking in the way they've fouled or is one or two of them extra black?
Title: 2.3 sputtering real bad
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on June 18, 2006, 08:34:38 AM
Yup as Sick stated, anything weak in the iginition system will show up under boost... Sounds like you have a over fueling or compression issue...
Title: 2.3 sputtering real bad
Post by: 88turbo on June 18, 2006, 10:13:11 AM
same thing everytime, but it only started when I did the TO4E swap.  would a lack of exhaust back pressure cause it to over fuel?
Title: 2.3 sputtering real bad
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on June 18, 2006, 12:05:00 PM
I ain't no expert on the turbo cars, but I can tell you any leak between the turbo and the throttle body will most definatly cause a over rich cond. What happens is the turbo can pull extra air through the VAM, so it starts throwing the fuel to the cylinders...
Title: 2.3 sputtering real bad
Post by: Tbird232ci on June 18, 2006, 12:05:41 PM
Sounds like the fuel sock may have fell off.
Title: 2.3 sputtering real bad
Post by: 88turbo on June 18, 2006, 12:37:46 PM
fuel sock as in the one in the tank for fuel pick up?
Title: 2.3 sputtering real bad
Post by: Tbird232ci on June 18, 2006, 12:46:33 PM
Yes, what happened with my car, the sock fell off, and when the car starts to pull, itll buck and spudder because fuel sloshes.
Title: 2.3 sputtering real bad
Post by: 88turbo on June 18, 2006, 01:46:34 PM
mine will do it with a full tank could this still be the problem?
Title: 2.3 sputtering real bad
Post by: Tbird232ci on June 18, 2006, 03:38:56 PM
You have a different problem then. Check your fuel pressure.
Title: 2.3 sputtering real bad
Post by: 88cat on June 18, 2006, 06:05:57 PM
Well my fuel pressure is good and i have adjusted it more or less and the same. Could it be a intercooler coupler leaking acking as a vacum leak?
Title: 2.3 sputtering real bad
Post by: 88turbo on June 18, 2006, 06:58:45 PM
try cleaning your IAC  and check to make sure that its plugged in tightly.  mine has cleared up a bit but I think my exhaust leak is still most of the problem
Title: 2.3 sputtering real bad
Post by: Tbird232ci on June 18, 2006, 08:35:48 PM
Quote from: 88cat
Well my fuel pressure is good and i have adjusted it more or less and the same. Could it be a intercooler coupler leaking acking as a vacum leak?

Quite possible.
Title: 2.3 sputtering real bad
Post by: Sick88Tbird on June 18, 2006, 10:40:03 PM
If any of the intercooler couplers were leaking you'd know it because it would barely make boost.
Title: 2.3 sputtering real bad
Post by: 88turbo on June 18, 2006, 11:11:05 PM
Quote from: Sick88Tbird
If any of the intercooler couplers were leaking you'd know it because it would barely make boost.


and you would hear the boost leaking
Title: 2.3 sputtering real bad
Post by: Sick88Tbird on June 19, 2006, 08:44:47 AM
I will ask again, when you changed your spark plugs, how did they look...was any cylinder worse than others?  Did the car sit for any extended period of time?
Title: 2.3 sputtering real bad
Post by: CougarSE on June 19, 2006, 02:49:28 PM
Have any of you pulled KOEO or KOER codes?
Title: 2.3 sputtering real bad
Post by: 88turbo on June 21, 2006, 07:46:04 PM
I'm not sure how to pull codes :dunno: there should be a sticky about pulling codes
Title: 2.3 sputtering real bad
Post by: CougarSE on June 21, 2006, 09:17:10 PM
Quote from: 88turbo
I'm not sure how to pull codes :dunno: there should be a sticky about pulling codes

I've posted it many times but it gets lost in the depts of page 2,3,4.....10...567
Title: 2.3 sputtering real bad
Post by: 88turbo on June 21, 2006, 09:41:28 PM
I'll start a new thread.