Rough idle issues?

Tiny
MGOBLUE78
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 FORD MUSTANG
  • 4.6L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 183,000 MILES
I recently bought my 04 Mustang GT. I knew it had some issues with idle and not driving very smooth. I did replace spark plugs, coils, Pcv valve, fuel filter. It does have a cold air intake and strait pipes. Original error codes it had was p0132, p2195, p0172 and p02196. Cleared codes did tuneup and then got p0300, p0316 and p2195. Replaced fuel injectors and bank1 upstream o2 sensor trying to p2195. Injectors took care of misfire codes. Still have the p2195 code. Checked my vacuum and it read 16.5 inHg. Right in the “lateing timing” range. 17-22 inHg is “normal engine” range on my guage. I have no idea what Lateing timing means! My short term fuel trim for bank1 ranged from 20-33% at idle and bank2 ranged from -3-9%. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated!
Friday, July 11th, 2025 AT 5:45 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,138 POSTS
So bank 1 is the issue by seeing it lean and adding fuel, can I ask of there is an exhaust leak for bank 1? This will fool the oxygen sensor and cause the issue. Also, a vacuum leak on bank on will do the same such as an intake manifold.

Bank 1 STFT +30% - ECU adds fuel

Please go over this video to find a vacuum leak.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRKWV4Are5c&t

If you send a short video of the engine running it will help me see wat is going on. Upload the video in your response.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, July 12th, 2025 AT 10:44 AM
Tiny
MGOBLUE78
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
Hi Ken, I found that I had a small air leak at the manifold to converter flange on bank1 side right before the o2 sensor. In the process now of replacing the gasket. Fingers crossed this is the problem. If not, I’ll send a video of the car running.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, July 14th, 2025 AT 8:57 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,138 POSTS
Sounds good, I think you found the problem.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, July 14th, 2025 AT 11:56 AM
Tiny
MGOBLUE78
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
I’m struggling to remove the nuts on exhaust flange. I’m dealing with rounded off nuts from previous owners/work that was done. I managed to remove the top one. Second one I couldn’t even get the 15mm socket to work. I removed the starter hoping to get more access. It’s all but impossible to get good leverage. I tried using my bolt/nut extractor but again I don’t have much room to pound it on. I’ve broke two of my universal adapters and I’m kind of at a loss. I’m adding a picture of what I’m dealing with. Any ideas?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, July 18th, 2025 AT 4:04 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,138 POSTS
I would use an air chisel and try to catch the corner of the nut to spin it off.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, July 19th, 2025 AT 9:36 AM
Tiny
MGOBLUE78
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
Hi Ken, just wanted to give you an update on my car. After finally finishing my exhaust leak issue, I no longer have the p2195 code! However after letting the car idle for 10-15min for computer to do its thing, the rough idle is still there and know have a p0171 code. Fuel trims confirm that with bank1 still around 30% at an idle. When rpm’s go up fuels trims come down. I’ve tried the carb cleaner trick by spraying vacuum line and hoses around the bank1 side and can’t find anything changing the idle. I’ve read and seen where you can unplug the maf sensor with car running, which did change the idle but both banks fuel trims maxed at 32%. When I plugged the sensor back in the car died. Now, people say this can reflect a bad maf sensor. I tried cleaning my sensor with the correct maf sensor cleaner and no change in cars idle issue. I’m worried that this issue is leaning towards the intake manifold because it’s the only thing I haven’t looked into. Any thoughts or where to go next? Or how to check the manifold?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 10th, 2025 AT 8:15 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,138 POSTS
Nice work taking care of the p2195 code, I would use a smoke machine to help located the vacuum leak. Next, once the MAF sensor goes bad cleaning it will not help, I would get a new one, and finally I would do a compression test. Please go over these two guides,

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/repairing-engine-rough-idle-issues

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

Here is the MAF sensor location so we can be on the same page. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 10th, 2025 AT 6:37 PM
Tiny
MGOBLUE78
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
I replaced my MAF sensor. I had the battery unhooked over night. Car seemed to run better so went for a drive. Ended up being 30min. I did have the ac on so extra load on engine but still seemed ok. Got to my destination turned off ac and noticed rough again. Once we left to head home check engine light came on with p0171. My live data showed under acceleration my short term bank 1 full trims were all but matching bank2. Did the smoke test and found a small vacuum line leaking. Fixed that and still no change in idle or fuel trim. I did a compression test. See picture for results. Something else I found is I have an aftermarket intake manifold on it. No markings of a manufacturer but it not an original. Also, the car has an aftermarket cold air intake. I wish I had an original air intake to make sure that’s not causing a problem.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 17th, 2025 AT 8:54 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,138 POSTS
It sounds like you have a weak fuel pump that shows up once it gets hot which is typical, we should test it. Here are two more guides to go over:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/repair-lean-mixture-codes-p0171-or-p0174-on-some-manufacturers

The fuel pressure should be between 40-70 PSI.

Please go over these guides and get back to us.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 17th, 2025 AT 12:09 PM
Tiny
MGOBLUE78
  • MEMBER
  • 24 POSTS
So my car does not have a Schrader valve on the fuel rail. My scanner only allowed me to read fuel pressure (relative to manifold vacuum) kPa. After converting the numbers, I ranged 38-40 psi per my scanner. Also, I found my problem... Please see photo. After removing the extra seals, lol, my lean condition is done!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, September 1st, 2025 AT 2:50 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,138 POSTS
So it was a vacuum leak, good find, the extra seals are no charge! Lol :/ Thanks for letting us know, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025 AT 8:07 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.