1996 Ford Thunderbird rough idle and intermittant loss of p

JACKBNIMBLE

MEMBER
1996 FORD THUNDERBIRD
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
260,000 MILES

My car has been giving me some problems. None of the mechanics ive taken my car to can figure it out. My problem started w hen my wife had to stop the car in a flooded area. At the time my exhaust was cracked open at the clamp right in the middle of the car. When she stopped in the water im "thinking" that water got in the engine some how by way of back pressure. I replaced my mass air flow filter sensor but that only temporary fixes the problem for a few days then it starts acting up.

1 Reply

RYANBLIZZ

MEMBER
35 POSTS

If it were me, the first thing I would try is gas treatment (maybe water in the gas). I am having very similar symptoms on my 1994 that I just didn't start for a month, and had some heavy rains. I added Chevron Techron treatment which made a noticable difference.

Something else you might try if that doesn't help. I have heard that these cars in particular have real problems when their catalytic converters get old and clogged. Loss of power, not idling until engine is hot, starting and stalling after 2 minutes and then not restarting, (I had a friend with this problem). If I remember correctly you should be able to unbolt and remove the exhaust right after the O2 sensore, but before the cats. It will be loud but you should be able to run it long enough to see if it improves idling.

Good luck.
Ryan