89 2.3 Running rough

sam89 · April 8th, 2011, 07:14 PM

So recently, as in the past two weeks, my wonderful little mustang has been running a little rough. It started out when I went to Purdue to visit some people. As I was going up a steep hill it felt as though one of the cylinders wasn't firing as I got towards the top. It kinda gives the same feel now as I accelerate.

Today it tried something new by while idling the tach would bounce up by about 250 rpms only for a second and go back down. Kinda as if one cylinder was doing extra work. I am completely baffled on this and I haven't had achance to look in to what could be the problem under the hood because I don't have any of my tools here at college with me.

Anyone got any ideas as to what this is?

Mikel89us · April 8th, 2011, 07:21 PM

plugs wires cap and rotor

sam89 · April 8th, 2011, 07:23 PM

I replaced those not too long ago. I really hope this isn't the case because they only have at most 6,000 miles on them.

tom_vilsack · April 9th, 2011, 03:51 AM

my tach used to jump a little and then settle back down at idle...i used some "seafoam" to clean the IAC (took off,placed into seafoam right up to plastic part,used a q-tip to clean...let dry and put back on) problem solved

you might also try using some seafoam to clean out all the crap...

(used seafoam (used 1/3 can threw vacuum line)...pour slowly and keep engine revs about 2000-2500 (i did threw brake booster vacuum line,and put a small funnel into line and poured slowly...1/3 can in about 4-5 min) turn off engine,let sit for a good 10 min,then drive it for 15-20 min like you "stole it"..be prepared to white smoke out your neighbourhood)

you might also try cleaning out throttle body (i used soft toothbrush and paper towels)

sam89 · April 9th, 2011, 12:27 PM

MAN I don't think i have seafoamed this beast yet. I LOVE THAT STUFF THOUGH. maybe i'll do that today and at the very worst I get some cool white smoke

sam89 · April 9th, 2011, 05:27 PM

Well I haven't driven it yet but I think the spark plug wire that was almost all the way popped off might have something to do with it

I'm a doo doo head if this is what it is. And never again am I buying wires from autozone. Anyone got a good brand they like to use?

ranger50toy · April 11th, 2011, 08:54 AM

Cant go wrong with Motorcraft.

April 8th, 2011, 07:14 PM	#1
sam89 Regular 1989 Mustang LX Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 53 iTrader: 0 reviews	89 2.3 Running rough So recently, as in the past two weeks, my wonderful little mustang has been running a little rough. It started out when I went to Purdue to visit some people. As I was going up a steep hill it felt as though one of the cylinders wasn't firing as I got towards the top. It kinda gives the same feel now as I accelerate. Today it tried something new by while idling the tach would bounce up by about 250 rpms only for a second and go back down. Kinda as if one cylinder was doing extra work. I am completely baffled on this and I haven't had achance to look in to what could be the problem under the hood because I don't have any of my tools here at college with me. Anyone got any ideas as to what this is?

April 8th, 2011, 07:21 PM	#2
Mikel89us Regular 1991 Mustang 2.3L 11:42 @ 61 in the 1/8th Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Logansport, IN Posts: 362 iTrader: 0 reviews	plugs wires cap and rotor __________________ 1991 Mustang LX 2.3L 5 Speed convert 1989 Ranger 4X4 2.3L 5 Speed Entire turbo kit waiting to be used again.

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April 8th, 2011, 07:23 PM	#3
sam89 Regular 1989 Mustang LX Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 53 iTrader: 0 reviews	I replaced those not too long ago. I really hope this isn't the case because they only have at most 6,000 miles on them.

April 9th, 2011, 03:51 AM	#4
tom_vilsack Newbie 1988 mustang 2.3L Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: ladner,vanc,cdn Posts: 35 iTrader: 0 reviews	my tach used to jump a little and then settle back down at idle...i used some "seafoam" to clean the IAC (took off,placed into seafoam right up to plastic part,used a q-tip to clean...let dry and put back on) problem solved you might also try using some seafoam to clean out all the crap... (used seafoam (used 1/3 can threw vacuum line)...pour slowly and keep engine revs about 2000-2500 (i did threw brake booster vacuum line,and put a small funnel into line and poured slowly...1/3 can in about 4-5 min) turn off engine,let sit for a good 10 min,then drive it for 15-20 min like you "stole it"..be prepared to white smoke out your neighbourhood) you might also try cleaning out throttle body (i used soft toothbrush and paper towels)

April 9th, 2011, 12:27 PM	#5
sam89 Regular 1989 Mustang LX Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 53 iTrader: 0 reviews	MAN I don't think i have seafoamed this beast yet. I LOVE THAT STUFF THOUGH. maybe i'll do that today and at the very worst I get some cool white smoke

April 9th, 2011, 05:27 PM	#6
sam89 Regular 1989 Mustang LX Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 53 iTrader: 0 reviews	Well I haven't driven it yet but I think the spark plug wire that was almost all the way popped off might have something to do with it I'm a doo doo head if this is what it is. And never again am I buying wires from autozone. Anyone got a good brand they like to use?

April 11th, 2011, 08:54 AM	#7
ranger50toy Regular 1988 2.3L Hatch Ha-Ha Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Lansing Mi Posts: 99 iTrader: 0 reviews	Cant go wrong with Motorcraft.

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