My first car, many issues with it

DYKEMANBLAIN

MEMBER
1996 FORD MUSTANG
4.6L
2WD
AUTOMATIC
275,000 MILES

Hood wont latch, I think it is corroded. Shifts hard in the lower gears, first 2 or so and once while downshifting as I slow down, it's a automatic. Mechanic said he didn't think anything was wrong. The engine loses power around third or fourth gear and it hums instead of the usual roar, and sounds rough. Small whistle when accelerating and idles higher, especially when cold. Random burning smell once in awhile. This is my first car and I'm worried I got taken advantage of.

1 Reply

SCGRANTURISMO

MECHANIC
4,897 POSTS

Hello,

These are great cars. I own a 1997 Mustang Gt that I bought cheap and rebuilt the engine with performance parts from the pistons on up and now for about $7,000.00 I have a 400+ horsepower supercharged Mustang. Price out a new supercharged 400-425 horsepower car and see what they cost.
The engine will idle high until the catalytic converters come up to temperature. This is known as open loop operation where the Power-train Control Module (PCM) or "computer" reads it's own base ignition and fuel maps instead of taking signals from the engine management sensors and adjusting the air:fuel ratio accordingly. All 96 and newer vehicles do this. After about two minutes, give or take, it will go into closed loop operation. If you are concerned about shifting, you can start with a transmission filter and fluid change. We can provide you with a detailed guide from the vehicle manufacturer on how to do this if you would like. Also the shift points can be "re-flashed" into the PCM by any aftermarket PCM flashing device (there are several out there). Also a tune up(replacing spark plugs, spark plug wires, air filter, and an oil change) probably will help the lag in performance. Again we have guides available for for this if you so desire. Please get back to us with what you want to do and we can go from there.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros