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Topic: 3.8 in my T-bird running rough for a short while... (Read 2253 times) previous topic - next topic

3.8 in my T-bird running rough for a short while...

Hello again!
I was driving my T-bird thru the city yesterday. I was lucky to get all the green lights on the crossroads so I was going constant speed of about 40-45mph. Than one light turned to red and I had to stop. When I stopped I noticed the engine is running rough like if it wasn't firing on one cyl. The light turned green and it accelerated without any hesitation. I stopped at the nearest gas station and it was OK. Than it was running well all the way.
Any ideas of what happened?
Do you think it may be a bad spark plug or wire?
Mariusz...

3.8 in my T-bird running rough for a short while...

Reply #1
For random misfires like that, I would probably blame it on the ignition sysytem.  When was the last time your plus and wires were replaced?  You may also want to check your cap and rotor in the distributor.  Give those thing a shot, at the very least you will run better after that.
1987 Thunderbird 3.8. Sold :(

1982 Thunderbird - Goodbye 255, Hello 302!

3.8 in my T-bird running rough for a short while...

Reply #2
Quote from: amooset
When was the last time your plus and wires were replaced?  You may also want to check your cap and rotor in the distributor.

What you mean by "plus"? I think the wires arent that old but I can't tell how old are they. The one going from the coil to the distributor is different. It's new for sure as somebody replaced orginal coil with different type and it needed a new wire.

3.8 in my T-bird running rough for a short while...

Reply #3
Quote from: Shevretti
What you mean by "plus"?
I think that was a typo. I'm sure he meant spark plugs.

3.8 in my T-bird running rough for a short while...

Reply #4
if it has one mismatched wire plug wire you may be on to something.

i would get you a replacement set. and a cap/rotor and a set of plugs and give her a good tune up.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
1974 maverick lsx powered turbo car SOLD
1973 maverick Tijuana Taxi Tribute
1957 chevy LSX Turbo project (race car)
Owner of Joe Dirt Fabrication

3.8 in my T-bird running rough for a short while...

Reply #5
I've just got a set of new spark plugs for my T-bird. I've looked around the engine and it seems to be a #$%%$^# job! Do you have any tips of how to replace spark plugs in 3.8 V6 without messing everything under the hood? Do I need some kind of special wrench?
Driver side isn't that bad, but I barely see the spark plugs on the pass side!

3.8 in my T-bird running rough for a short while...

Reply #6
The driver's side is a piece of cake.
A flex-head ratchet and a 1" and 3" extension make the passenger side doable.

3.8 in my T-bird running rough for a short while...

Reply #7
I use a 18" extension on my ratchet and gentle move all that  outa the way. Use an old spark plug boot to start the threads on the new plug into the head, lots of patience helps too, its a pain but not as bad as it looks

3.8 in my T-bird running rough for a short while...

Reply #8
Passenger rear use a 3" extension, same for the passenger middle.  Now the Pass. front will need about 18" of extension as greg said and a swivel like jeremy said.  if it wasn't for the air pump exhuast line it would be easy.  While in there check the plastic air lines for the egr and smog system.  I had a broken one on my 3.8.
One 88

3.8 in my T-bird running rough for a short while...

Reply #9
It seems that my T-bird is running rought from time to time only when the outside temp is around 30F. It's pretty wierd! Almost every time I'm cornering at higher speed and try to accelerate it would run rough and than get back to normal after the same amout of time (about 5 seconds). Any ideas why it mostly happens when cornering?
Today I was driving on the highway and at about 55mph I depressed the gas pedal to accelarate to about 75mph. Suddenly at about 60mph T-bird lost its power and run kinda rough. The Check Engine light started to flash. It got back to normal again after a few seconds and I could accelerate to 80mph easily.
First I thought it may be a water in the gas tank, but it was just a wild guess. Used STP water remover just in case but it still runs rough when the outside temp is around 30F. I've cleaned the EGR valve too, but it didn't change anything.
Maybe it's related with oxygen sensors?

3.8 in my T-bird running rough for a short while...

Reply #10
hmm sounds like spark or gas related. YOu have changed the spark plugs right? sounds alot like fuel pump
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

3.8 in my T-bird running rough for a short while...

Reply #11
Quote from: Haystack
hmm sounds like spark or gas related. YOu have changed the spark plugs right? sounds alot like fuel pump

Yes, I've changed the spark plugs lately. It runs very smooth now except the rough running for a few seconds from time to time. I got a new fuel filter, but it's too cold to replace it now. It's the worst winter ever here!
There is one more thing, it was always doing. When engine is hot and I stop the car for 15 minutes, it sometimes doesn't start at first. Than it starts kinda rough and smooths out in a second or two. It doesn't happen on hot engine or cold engine. Only in "mid-temps".
Why would it run rought while cornering? It's wierd! Does Check Engine light indicate fuel pump failure also?


3.8 in my T-bird running rough for a short while...

Reply #13
Is it an amber  check engine light or the red engine light?

3.8 in my T-bird running rough for a short while...

Reply #14
It's an amber light. There isn't any red one.