4.6L t-bird

Topic: 4.6L t-bird (Read 1833 times) previous topic - next topic

4.6L t-bird

December 22, 2009, 11:22:07 PM

I'm looking at buying a ford t-bird with a 4.6L v8, the car is at an auction. The problem is when you start the engine (it seems to start just fine) it idles quickly and sounds fine, but when you push the gas it stutters and sounds like it is gasping for air. the next problem is that theres not much gas in the car so what id like to know is if this is normal coming from a car that has sat for say 3-5 days in -3 to +3 temperature (thats Celsius) that didn't get a chance to warm up due to no gas, or if that could be caused by having very little gas in the car or if its a serious problem and i should not buy this car.

Thanks in advance for anyone that can help me out.

4.6L t-bird

Reply #1 – December 22, 2009, 11:33:32 PM

sounds like a dirty mass air meter.

4.6L t-bird

Reply #2 – December 22, 2009, 11:47:54 PM

i honestly have no idea what that is or how i would clean it. care to elaborate?

4.6L t-bird

Reply #3 – December 22, 2009, 11:57:39 PM

2x on the Mass Air sensor. My explorer did the exact same thing.

4.6L t-bird

Reply #4 – December 23, 2009, 05:59:47 AM

Need to scan for codes to make sure.

4.6L t-bird

Reply #5 – December 23, 2009, 07:00:27 AM

The Mass Air meter is inline in the air duct between the engine and air filter box.It'll be an aluminum housing with a black sensor on top with a plug to it.

4.6L t-bird

Reply #6 – December 23, 2009, 07:24:47 AM

I also would check the catalytic converters, they could be blocked, my SHO did that when I first got it.

4.6L t-bird

Reply #7 – December 23, 2009, 07:26:59 AM

To clean the Mass air meter either use CRC MAF cleaner or NON chlorinated brake cleaner.

4.6L t-bird

Reply #8 – December 23, 2009, 09:10:49 AM

Quote from: jandmmustangs;303686

To clean the Mass air meter either use CRC MAF cleaner or NON chlorinated brake cleaner.

I've spit on 'em and wiped with a piece of paper towel(no kiddin')... Worked fine...

Generally though, I use plain ole isopropyl alcohol and a Q-tip...

4.6L t-bird

Reply #9 – December 24, 2009, 03:48:02 AM

Quote from: TurboCoupe50;303697

I've spit on 'em and wiped with a piece of paper towel(no kiddin')... Worked fine...

Generally though, I use plain ole isopropyl alcohol and a Q-tip...

Yep, me to. dont touch them,, oil from your fingers change things.

4.6L t-bird

Reply #10 – December 24, 2009, 11:34:26 AM

With my explorer, the oil change place installed the air filter wrong, causing it to collapse in the filter housing. When I drove through an area with cottonwood trees, it sucked a cottonwood fluffy into the sample tube.

It ran exactly like you describe. Start and Idle fine, then die with any kind of throttle. When I found the problem, I just blew through the back port on the sample tube and poof, white fluffy came flying out. Who would have thought such a little thing would cause so much grief.