[JesusOnIceSkates]

Guys!,

I don't think im going to make it...trip around the country I have already gone 4500 miles and now headig south on east coast to Charlote, NC. Yesterday before arriving to philly I noticed that acceleration was very very poor. At idle the car is fine...no rough idle or anything, spark plugs, wires, and distrib cap are all new from dealer and were replaced before I left for the trip. I've been in cars where a sparkplug or wire were our but this definetly isn't it. At above 60 acceleration is really bad, turning OD off just gives revs and no appreciable accelecration. I believe timing is off, because I hear a noticeable ping when the rpms go higher up. Also, fuel efficiency has dropped from about 21 mpg to around 18-19. I'll be in charlote later on tonight and all day tomorrow. Also, the musty is running considerably hotter...the fan works and turns on no prob. Also I have been mixing fuel grades....it's been mostly 89 octane but about a day ago I put in 91...but i dont think thats it. Feels like either timing is off or fuel mixture is messed up. Please advise or if you know a good mechanic in any of the following cities I would apprecate the contact info:

Charlotte NC
Savannah, GA
Atlanta, GA
Memphis
New Orleans
Houston
Dallas
El Paso

...if I make it back to LA ill deal with it there....right now im at a rest stop with wifi access....thank you maryland. My plan is to get a much needed oil change, change fuel filter and have dealer in charlotte run a diagnostic to see whats up, Im also toying with idea of picking up a timing gunat next autozone I see and check it out myself. Please advise...I love this car and would hate to tow it back to LA via UHaul or something...

Thanks in advance!!!

[Bullitt95]

The symptoms you've described would all fit in with a diagnosis of plugged cats so you might wanna check them out. You could change the fuel filter while you're there but somehow I think that's much less likely to be the problem.

[BEASTstang]

I have the same problem,i have changed everything iac,tps,new plugs ,wires,cap and rotor,and swithed to an o/r h pipe and no difference.I'm lost now,i hope it's not something serious...

[Bullitt95]

Sounds like you both need to visit Autozone and ask them to do a free computer scan for codes.

[FaStStAnG5-0]

i have a guy here in mooresville NC (just north of charlotte) that would probably be able to take a quick look at it.. let me know!

[JesusOnIceSkates]

What happens if I just remove the cats and don't turn off the O2 sensors?

I only care about fuel economy and making it back to California at this point, so I'm not really looking for a long-term solution.

Originally Posted by FaStStAnG5-0 i have a guy here in mooresville NC (just north of charlotte) that would probably be able to take a quick look at it.. let me know!

FaStStAnG5-0, I might take you up on that offer. Can you provide me some contact info? I'm in Charlotte right now. PM me if you can please.

I really appreciate your help guys!

[beckerb]

No power, running hot and pinging = lean mixture - fuel filter most likely choice...

[beckerb]

Harris performance in Concord right out of Charlotte - 704-786-race (7223). Good guys that wont screw you and know what they are doing ....

[screwed by twins]

nice viper beck!

[WildWill]

+1 if your getting pinging, your running lean... you need to get more fuel in there! i'm willing to bet you put some bad gas in that might have had some big pieces of dirt/rust or something in it that would def have clogged up your fuel filter. i would start there.

[JesusOnIceSkates]

Guys,

Thanks to all for your posts...Bullit95 was 100% right..although I'm sure my filter does need changing with nearly 160k on odometer. Somewhere between campgrounds near Troy, NC and Myrtle Beach where I just arrived 30 mins ago there is a small shop on the side of the road with a pair of plucked catalytic converters. Ford dealership confirmed during oil change at no cost that cats needed changing. I found a small auto shop on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere, which will for obvious reasons remain nameless, that was willing after some hesitation to take out the cats and put in straight pipes...car runs great now...much better than I rememeber in years...definetly better than before problems started few days ago...sounds much better as well...I have flowmasters and can finally hear what they & the mustang are supposed to sound like.

Thanks to all again, I can continue the rest of the trip without worry!

Cheers

[Bullitt95]

Originally Posted by JesusOnIceSkates Guys, Thanks to all for your posts...Bullitt95 was 100% right..

I like happy endings.