Several issues with car-

Tiny
LOULOU501
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 FORD CONTOUR
  • 120,000 MILES
This is a 2000 Contour that is a Bi-fuel car, but I only run it on gas. I figure I dont need a double rolling bomb. I am at a loss and almost out of money. Single mom here who has a very basic understanding of some car issues. My car wants to stall when at a stop upon accleration. It only does this intermitently. Car surges sometimes between 1 and 2nd gear on an auto tranny. Can smell a chemical exhaust smell, not like rotten eggs but like chemicals. It is using a ton of fuel, car is hotter than normal under hood, and it lacks power when I try to go faster. Also, the fuel gauge quit working after I put a bottle of fuel injection cleaner in my gas tank.I had the MAF senosr replaced and they replaced another sensor or air valve that was whistling. I had a sensor type part put on the tranny when it was shifting weird before. I just had the battery replace because it went dead. The Chevy dealer said the vacuum and elctronics were good. I do not have a check engine light but I did before they replaced the MAF sensor. The dea battery was the most recent part changed. I have spent 1400 on parts and labor and the car is still running the same. I took the Chevy mechanic for a test drive and it wouldnt anything until after I dropped him off. The mechanics think Im nutty but Im just very intune with my car. Please help, I am literally running out of money.
Sunday, September 23rd, 2012 AT 2:43 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Did they check the fuel pressure?

Is it still stalling?

Did they check the cat converter back pressure as this may be your lack of power.

Did you replace the timing belt within the last 80-100k?

Roy
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Sunday, September 23rd, 2012 AT 2:47 PM
Tiny
LOULOU501
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  • 4 POSTS
I will have to call Monday but I dont believe they did any of those things. The car hasnt stalled yet it threatens to when I am at a stop and when I push the acclerator it stumbles, acts like its going to die but doesnt. I got the car in March and have no service records on it so I dont know if timing belt has been replaced ever. If I take it to a smog station that also does repairs would this be a good choice. Like I said I'm running out of money.
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Sunday, September 23rd, 2012 AT 7:00 PM
Tiny
LOULOU501
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you for responding. We have limited good mechanics in my small town and it seems I keep paying people to not fix the issue.
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Sunday, September 23rd, 2012 AT 7:03 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Ok, start with fuel pressure check

Roy
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Sunday, September 23rd, 2012 AT 7:18 PM
Tiny
LOULOU501
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
What does a fuel pressure check tell me? Is it expensive to do it?
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Sunday, September 23rd, 2012 AT 9:22 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
To see if sufficient fuel is at the injectors to be used for the motor.

You can rent one from a parts store or you have have it done. It is about 1/2 hour in labor.

Roy
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Sunday, September 23rd, 2012 AT 9:45 PM

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