2001 Ford Mustang V6 Automatic 63,500 miles. When I start it up it makes a ticking noise. (My boyfriend said that's just how my engine sounds). When driving it runs kind of sluggish especially when Im going up a hill which is weird, because it's a Mustang. My mom's crappy Saturn doesn't even do that. It sounds like it's trying really hard to get up hills. When I hit 35 mph or 65 mph(Usually I think when it's shifiting gears) it kicks and jerks almost(Not erratically or in a dangerous way). I am taking it in tomorrow to get it checked out, but I wanted to get an idea of what it could be. I don't know if the ticking thing is bad or not. The kicking feels like if you were in a bumper car and someone bumped you from behind. It's never been in an accident, no mods, the check engine light has never come on. I haven't gotten an oil change recently(going tomorrow). I live in Atlanta, so I don't know if GA heat is a factor. ANY help, IM me on AIM: dcxbabe or Comment! Please!
2007-08-09 14:11:20 · 7 answers · asked by dcxbabe 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
If you are well versed in this area, please IM me on AIM, my sn is dcxbabe. Thanks.
2007-08-09 14:17:18 · update #1
To clarify, I get oil changes every 3,000 miles. I never said I'd never had an oil change. I take good care of my car as well. I check my fluids often, keep air in the tires, etc.
2007-08-09 14:29:29 · update #2
If you know how much whatever you are recommending costs, please put the estimated price in your comment.
2007-08-09 15:07:11 · update #3
Ignore these savages behind the curtain!
Jerking problem.....most likely it is the TR (transmission range) sensor on the transmission. Seldom turns the check engine light on. 2nd possibility......water in the gas tank. you go uphill, lose power, and get a violent jerk out of it at times. 3rd possiblity.......ignition wires are intermittently arcing to ground under load and causing backfire. (you hear a muffled popping noise in the air filter area)
The ticking......hard to say online, but since you mentioned lack of power, I will assume you have oil in the engine and wonder if you have an exhaust leak or a plugged catalytic converter. A plugged catalytic converter is caused by a misfire condition (engine shakes) that is ignored for too long.
you know what? I think I've got it. You have a misfire condition which caused the catalytic converter(exhaust unit) to overheat and plug up. since the exhaust flange near the engine is spring-loaded (to vent pressure)......that is your ticking noise. You will probably need plug wires, and a new catalytic converter (aka...the mystery exhaust unit). Power should return when these are replaced. (+/- possible ignition coil)
2007-08-09 14:43:17 · answer #1 · answered by vile_fly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having beeen though this years ago with a 3.0 liter V-6 and automatic transmission here goes:
The valves in the cylinder head are "burned up". What this means is that there's not a perfect seal when the valves are closed during the compression/combustion stroke and the flash of the fuel air mix cuts through the edges of the valves that are not perfectly sealed against the valve seats.
Eventually, the valve to cylinder head gaps get bigger and you lose more and more compression on the cylinders with the damaged valves.
The reason it bucks is that some of the compression stroke gasses blow back into the intake manifold when the spark plug ignites the fuel air mix.
They need to do a compression test on all six cylinders and then decide if they need to replace both heads or just one. Rebuilt heads are the best repair but it's not cheap. They might recommend swapping out the engine with a rebuild or rebuild the one you have if a lot of hard miles on the car and the other wear and tear like the piston to bore gauges too high or out of specifications.
Just doing the heads will run around $1,200. If you choose to swap out the engine for a rebuilt engine will cost about $2,000.
Good Luck!
2007-08-09 21:46:12 · answer #2 · answered by CactiJoe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like the tranny is gone...and I mean gone as in YOU NEED A NEW ONE. The ticking sound is from the engine, either the oil is WAY thin or you need some oil IN THE ENGINE....if I were you, I'd take the car in as soon as possible and don't drive it in the heat.
If you haven't changed your oil in 63,500 miles, I'm surprised the thing is still running. You should change oil every 3000 mi...always. and take the car in for service when your manual says. ( and yes the manual will say when to take it in for service.)
2007-08-09 21:23:09 · answer #3 · answered by Chrys 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like passably a flat camshaft lobe. not being able to listen to it it's hard to tell .
have the compression tested and leak-down tested if passable, maybe have the valve covers removed to observe the rocker arm motions, a flat cam will show less movement.
It could also be a cracked distributor cap or bad plug wire.
as far as transmission; does it slip or allow the engine to speed up without going faster? is it auto or manual?
2007-08-09 21:25:52 · answer #4 · answered by Robert F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First check the transmission fluid level.
It might just be you've lost some.
If it's still at operating level, hold on to your wallet,
it's shop time.
2007-08-09 21:19:59 · answer #5 · answered by Irv S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sako is probably right. You should get the trannie flushed out at 50,000 miles. I'd try that first.
2007-08-09 21:21:04 · answer #6 · answered by texasjewboy12 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your transmission definately needs a new filter, flush and adjustment.
2007-08-09 21:13:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋