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Topic: running problems ??? (Read 1009 times) previous topic - next topic

running problems ???

hi guys
a few weeks ago i was driving and the car started to act like it was going stall and there was like no power, and sounded like it was sputtering and then the problems went away. i didnt say nothing cause i figured maybey some dirt or something in the gas. then today it happened again. and the car stalled. i got it started but in a few minutes it was doing the same thing. it finally got so bad it wouldnt run, i got it into a paking lot, and popped the hood. the coolant overflow  tank was boiling . i coulndt see anything else, and will wait to take the rad cap off to look inside.  the engine light didnt come on to signal overheating, and if there was coolant in the overflow tank
why would it overheat???  i waited about 40 minutes and it started up again but it was a hard start, and it did run kinda funny. well i got it home now . i did notice the other day there  was a little coolant under the waterpump area on the ground and i did replace the thermostat yesterday. im going go out later when it has fully cooled down and pop the rad cap to look.  no white smoke coming out the back and no coolant in the oil or trans. 
thanks for any advice 
1984 cougar 3.8 with 125,000 miles

thanks for any advice
eddie
eddie

my rides well some of them work:hick:

1995 towncar in black 246 K non running
1989 continental 110K waiting for a part
1984 cougar head gaskets done almost ready!
Yikes the daily ride ...1998 chevy lumina:hick:

running problems ???

Reply #1 –
Ever head the head gaskets replaced?
FOXLESS!!

1994 Lincoln Mark VIII

running problems ???

Reply #2 –
no .ya think that what it might be??  how hard to do them on a 1984?
eddie

my rides well some of them work:hick:

1995 towncar in black 246 K non running
1989 continental 110K waiting for a part
1984 cougar head gaskets done almost ready!
Yikes the daily ride ...1998 chevy lumina:hick:

running problems ???

Reply #3 –
well i checked the coolant in the rad and it went back in to the radiator from the coolant overflow, and the level was up to the filler neck, i guess thats a good sign?? i forgot to say i had the air on. and the last time this happened i also had the air on. it doesnt do it with the air off. if its  the head gasket can it do wacky things like this, but not blow it out the tail pipe?
eddie

my rides well some of them work:hick:

1995 towncar in black 246 K non running
1989 continental 110K waiting for a part
1984 cougar head gaskets done almost ready!
Yikes the daily ride ...1998 chevy lumina:hick:

running problems ???

Reply #4 –
I had a the same problem, went from boiling to overheating. Turns out the fan wasn't turning anymore and so I replaced the fan clutch and the water pump and it quit.
86" Cougar 5.0 V8

running problems ???

Reply #5 –
well i needed a new water pump and also replaced the fan clutch. no more overheating .... but another one is still with me.
seems like when its hot outside the car starts and runs fine  but then it will feel like there is no power and then it kinda gets bucking a little and then it can stop
but eventually the car stops. it just stalls. it will start back up and sometimes it runs fine for a bit or sometimes it does the same thing. last night after i fixed the water pump and drove it about 40 minutes no problems, even when i went to work this morning it was allright , but when i left to go home in the afternoon the running problems started again. 
thanks for any ideas to help me
eddie
eddie

my rides well some of them work:hick:

1995 towncar in black 246 K non running
1989 continental 110K waiting for a part
1984 cougar head gaskets done almost ready!
Yikes the daily ride ...1998 chevy lumina:hick:
 

running problems ???

Reply #6 –
That could be a tuff one to find with it being so intermitten. May want to check your vac lines for a leak and all seated correctly. Also a good idea to change your thermostat, the sping on them tend to wear out over time, and they are fairly cheap and easy to get to on the 3.8.