Very strange issue with my 1994 T-bird

[burgie]

Greetings folks...

My first post here but I have been lurking in the shadows for a while...

OK...my car is a 1994 T-bird LX. It has the original 3.8L V-6, a Ford remanufactured AOD tranny (I installed it about 2 years ago) and aside from several new bolt-on components like battery, alternator, plugs, wires, etc...the car is essentially stock and factory original. It just turned 173K miles and I have owned the car since new.

I cannot pinpoint the exact time this problem started, but these are the symptoms:

1) When the car starts it feels like a shutter or "thud"...kinda like if a motor mount is shot (I checked and they are fine).

2) When the car is in drive or reverse and I am not moving (i.e. in the driveway, at a stop sign, etc.) and the brake is depressed and I turn the steering wheel, the engine RPM drops about 200 rpm from idle (idle looks to be around 900 rpm plus or minus) and the steering wheel stutters. If I depress the gas pedal a bit (while remaining in gear but with the brake still applied) the stuttering goes away. Also...these indications go away if the car is in Neutral or Park...they only seem to appear when the transmission is engaged in forward or reverse.

3) There seems to be a slight delay (lag) in response from the time I press the throttle till the time the engine RPM increases (i.e throttle response isn't crisp).

4) When driving the overall response of the vehicle seems sluggish.

Some other points of interest:

a) I recently replaced the plugs (gaps verified correct), wires, rotor and cap and also the power steering pump.

b) All fluids are at proper levels.

c) No abnormal smells of exhaust, gas, coolant, etc.

d) Fuel economy is good based on historical for the car.

e) Good tires w/ proper balance and inflation

f) Last year I installed new shocks and struts.

g) No Check Engine Light.

h) my friend has a hand held diagnostic tool and he checked everything at the OBD port and eveything came up clean.

So...any ideas??? I am puzzled and don't want to spend tons of money at the dealer until I've exhausted all avenues. I am hoping that some folks here may be able to shed some light on the issue???

So...any help would be tremendously appreciated!!!

[TBIRD430]

Replace the fuel filter, & run a 1 can of Seafoam brand fuel treatment through the gas tank, and 1 can through the PCV valve hose (with car running outside). Then drive the piss out of ur T-Bird until she quits smoking. Next I would remove and clean the IAC valve and Mass Airflow Sensor. Drive the car for a few days and report back to us...

=o)

[burgie]

TBIRD430...

Thanks for the tips; I shall try them tomorrow a.m.

However, just a quick question...what do you suggest to clean the IAC and MAS? Brake cleaner? Gunk & water rinse??

Thanks

[TBIRD430]

There is an electronics cleaner at the parts store that u need to use on the Mass Airflow Sensor!! A red spray can, mabe "CR"?

For the IAC Valve I like B12 carb cleaner & a soft brush (even an old toothbrush works).

[enderdrm]

Originally Posted by TBIRD430

Replace the fuel filter, & run a 1 can of Seafoam brand fuel treatment through the gas tank, and 1 can through the PCV valve hose (with car running outside). Then drive the piss out of ur T-Bird until she quits smoking. Next I would remove and clean the IAC valve and Mass Airflow Sensor. Drive the car for a few days and report back to us...

=o)

I have the same problem with my '96, except the power steering issue. That sounds like low fluid or a bad pump or belt to me.
So the car is gonna smoke? Which way do you pour the Seafoam into the PCV hose, toward the valve or the intake? Seafoam is great stuff - It's helped me and several of my friends pass emissions...

[TBIRD430]

U simply unplug the PCV vacuum line, clean the end of it off with a shop rag, start the vehicle, & dip the end of that hose into the can of Seafoam. Sometimes u have to rev the throttle up some to keep the engine from dieing if it is really carboned up. Just poor any left over Seafoam into ur gas tank & drive the heck out of her (safely) until she stops smoking.

Keep us posted. =o)

[enderdrm]

So I'm giving it a cleaning boost via the vac line, and then the stuff in the tank cleans more slowly and thoroughly, right? And don't worry, I'll drive the heck out of her (safely). I'm probably going to do this this weekend. I know Seafoam is good stuff.
BTW, will this have any effect on the converters?