Bogging Under Heavy Throttle
 

I have a 97 ford escort wagon lx, the air filter and spark plugs were done just last week, today while driving up hills under heavier throttle the car bogs, the car just seems to loose power and my CEL flashed, any ideas? it doesn't run on a coil pack, it runs on a crank sensor i believe. It happened only wen hitting higher rpms in a short period any ideas? I scanned the codes and it said cylinder 1 misfire, I checked the plug wires and it seemed loose, took it for a drive it the problem seems to still presist

Make sure the plugs are gapped properly. If that's fine, try replacing the fuel filter.

the plugs were just done last week, NGK platinum, we checked the gaps before we put them in, their in range of the repair manual, maybe we should check the fuel filter or the pump, it should be the pump/filter tho? it stalls during put in reverse, and it bogs under quick or heavy throttle/higher rpms

try what you suggested ... worth a shot , bogging down sounds like a fuel issue ... id say certainly check your fuel filter

Alot of Fords do NOT like platinum plugs. If you havent solved the issue yet, try a set of Ford Motorcraft plugs, or autolites (same as motorcraft).

yah i've read that fords basically ONLY take motorcraft plugs, the bogging does seem to be a fuel issue, or maybe even the coil pack. thanks for the info guys =)

Bah. I ran Platinum+2 plugs in my old Ford (branded, anyway) engine before dumping in a Jspec Mazda engine. Didn't have any problems with that.

But either way, it's obviously going to be either a fuel or spark issue. If the fuel filter and spark plugs don't change anything, check both your timing and ignition. If those are all good, check the #1 fuel injector. Either swap it with one from the existing rail, or have it flow tested if you can get away with not using the vehicle for a little while.


Edit: Compare the spark plug from Cyl1 to those of the rest of the engine. Is there any obvious discolouration on it?

yah most likely a fuel or spark issue, were planning to replace the NGK platinum with motorcrafts/autolites, we scanned the car again after fixing the bad connection of the plug wires to the plug. we went for a drive the problem is not as present but still there, haven't taken it up on a high or tried heavy throttle. But the misfire code isin't appearing, maybe because we haven't given it heavy throttle? would there be spark discolouration? it only has been about 5 days since the plugs were replace. Thx for all the help and info

I didnt say ALL Fords, I said most. ;) Its true though, most Ford engines do not like platinum plugs, 302s for example are a no no to run them in.

Find a long hill, and give the car a good load up the hill (high gear and lots of throttle). If its misfiring at higher rpms, chances are its the plugs. How old are your plug wires? W

the plug wires are as old as the car so 12 year i believe, the plugs seem to be ok right now, it stopped misfiring, but when put in reverse it sputters then stalls, and under heavy throttle especially up hill there is a lack of power. so im not sure if it could be the plugs or the fuel pump?

Replace the plug wires. They are NOT built to last 12 years. They may LOOK ok, but they are not, believe me.

they do need replacing but i don't think that would be it, since the car runs fine, only when put into reverse it stalls on occasions, usually when the car is warm, and when turning out of a parking spot, or going up hill with load/heavy throttle. It drives fine otherwise

^ What he said.