2000 Laser - Intermittent Running Rough and Stall

Shane043 on 15/05/2024 - 14:01
Last edited 15/05/2024 - 15:19 by 1 other user

Hi guys, had this issue with my automatic KN Laser. About a month ago it got really chuggy on the highway but eventually came good and no more issues.

Just now it stalled at an intersection. Started again straight away, was chuggy like it was going to stall again but didn't. And has been fine since.

I have a feeling it may be condensation related in the tank with all the rain we've had lately. Fuel filter and pump are both new.

These types of things are probably tricky to pin down but I don't want it to let me down.

Thoughts?

Cheers

Automotive Ford Laser

Comments

  • jv on 15/05/2024 - 14:02
    +3

    What did you mechanic say?

  • Duckie2hh on 15/05/2024 - 14:04
    +2

    Did you try turning it off and on again?

    • djones145 on 15/05/2024 - 14:08

      4 times
      thats what IT support says

      • jv on 15/05/2024 - 14:12
        -2

        Ctrl-Alt-Del

    • JIMB0 on 15/05/2024 - 14:32

      Try clearing the cache.

    • Brian McGee on 15/05/2024 - 17:06

      Delete system32

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 15/05/2024 - 19:30
        +1

        Thanks this fixed the issue

        I will also say the family pc will never work the same again

        • Chinese on 16/05/2024 - 08:44
          +1

          Start - cmd - format c: /fs:NTFS

  • Euphemistic on 15/05/2024 - 14:39
    +3

    Need three things for an engine to run properly. Fuel, air, spark. New pump and filter - move fuel down the list. Check air and spark.

    • neo on 15/05/2024 - 14:45
      +2

      Agree, check air filter, MAF sensor (if it has one), spark plugs, throttle body. Somewhat easy-ish checks.

      • Speckled Jim on 16/05/2024 - 09:25

        Grounding point(s) too!

        • Euphemistic on 16/05/2024 - 15:43

          Good point. We had a rav4 that needed a head recondition. After we got it back it woukd intermittently misfire and carry on. Took several trips to the dealer to get it sorted (wamused car warranty). Was throwing all sorts of random codes. Turned out theyd left an earth lead off somewhere.

  • BOGOF on 15/05/2024 - 14:45
    +4

    Vacuum leak? Check air intake hoses for splits, check EGR valve.

    • Shane043 on 15/05/2024 - 15:07

      Thanks will do. I was also wondering about putting a cup of methylated spirits in the tank as it's supposed to draw in any moisture. Although knowing my luck it could make it worse. Lol

      • BOGOF on 15/05/2024 - 15:17
        +1

        Never heard of that one. Wouldn't putting a cup of metho in the tank be the same as using E10 (ethanol) fuel?
        Ethanol = (effectively) Methylated spirits.

        • altomic on 15/05/2024 - 19:56

          My old elderly neighbour was a former mechanic and recommended a litre of metho when filling the tank as metho removes carbon build up.

          • Chinese on 16/05/2024 - 08:45

            @altomic: That is load of BS. It 1L removed the build up, that 1L of whatever must be corrosive AF.

      • Baysew on 15/05/2024 - 15:20
        +2

        At least it would be better than rice in this application.

        • BOGOF on 15/05/2024 - 15:25

          The Hoose-Gow?

  • Baysew on 15/05/2024 - 15:30
    +3

    Any big solar storms lately?

    • Brian McGee on 15/05/2024 - 17:15
      +2

      It's a Ford/Mazda, not a Renault.

      Solar flares only affect French cars.

      • Baysew on 15/05/2024 - 17:17
        +2

        …owners.

        • Brian McGee on 15/05/2024 - 17:20

          Them too.

        • JIMB0 on 15/05/2024 - 18:59

          Only if they forget to wear their tin foil hat.

  • EightImmortals on 15/05/2024 - 16:11
    +3

    Also check ignition cables, jr's car was doing something similar a couple of weeks back and turned out that one of the leads was arcing out and that cylinder wasn't firing.

    • Cave Fire on 15/05/2024 - 21:33

      yep happened to me. car would hit a minor bump eg railway lines and splutter and stall. turned out the leads were loose asnd didn't grip the plugs very well (easily checked). Changed to ones that grip the plugs tighter and solved.

  • Brian McGee on 15/05/2024 - 17:14
    +2

    Most likely candidate is a blocked/sticking idle air circuit, especially if you are noticing it when getting off the throttle to pull up or when idling.
    Clean the throttlebody and make sure you get the straw up the idle port, use an upper cylinder cleaner as they're a bit more foamy and agitaty-ie to dissolve the carbon.
    Check the air filter isn't blocked too as that will cause heavy breathing through the crankcase leading to sucking excess oil vapours, might need a new PCV valve?
    Wouldn't hurt to check spark leads/plugs if they haven't been replaced in a while, but bad leads and plugs generally display as a misfire under load.

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 15/05/2024 - 17:35
    +1

    Hope O.P. has a pack of darts & a slab ready.

    • pegaxs on 15/05/2024 - 23:18
      +1

      I’ve heard that Uncle Ian only takes bookings on Sat’dy or Sun’dy.

      • DashCam AKA Rolts on 16/05/2024 - 02:01
        +1

        He's got a tenner on one of the dogs at a local meet on Sat'dy arvo, so might be busy from 2 onwards. If he's got a winner, he'll be MIA. If he's backed a real dog, he'll be chuckin' spanners at the shed wall again

  • Crossgates on 15/05/2024 - 18:22
    +1

    Going from running poorly, to fine, to poorly implies a sensor is gone/on the way out. I would be looking at your crank and/or cam sensor, followed by air flow (MAF) sensor. A vacuum leak would also cause stalling. There is no reason for your fuel tank to have condensation in it, unless your petrol cap doesn't seal properly. I would also remove the spark plugs and look for any colour difference between them, this will let you know if the issue is to do with a particular cylinder.

  • jojo13 on 16/05/2024 - 07:40

    Had something similar many yrs back. Turned out to be my torque converter.

  • mini2 on 16/05/2024 - 10:20

    I have a feeling it may be condensation related in the tank with all the rain we've had lately. Fuel filter and pump are both new.

    Sounds like something electrical got wet and playing up.

  • Froogle on 17/05/2024 - 10:30
    +2

    Had same issue on my MX5. Mazda dealer said needed new ECU (computer). Went to Supercheap and bought a can of mass air flow (MAF) aerosol cleaner. 5 minute job to disconnect air inlet from MAF and clean internals with spray then reassemble. 2 years ago and still all good.

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