car problem: need help

OK. My 2003 mach 1 stang started making a noise the other day, which is becoming more frequent now. It's making almost what I'd describe as a backfiring noise, which is noticably louder when you're driving it. It also makes the noise at an idle, but it's more like a pop and a hiss at the same time, instead of the muffled "boom". It happens randomly, but pretty often (2-3 times a minute). It's pretty annoying, and at high speeds you can feel it, almost like you're hitting a small bump.

Anyways, it's still under warrantee, but I can't take it into the shop until tuesday, so I have to sit and stew over what could be wrong until then. Any ideas?

Matt

Edit: The car hasn't been driven hard at all. It has about 7500 miles on it, and the oil has been changed every 3 months. I've also never used anything less than 93% octane gas in it since it was bought new back in december.

wait till tuesday

the dealer can handle it

Yeah, I agree with Strider - don't try and tackle this one yourself, especially considering that the car is under warranty.

It sounds like it could be anything from a blown head gasket to an improper fuel/air mixture (bad oxygen sensor). You really need diagnostic equipment to pinpoint exactly what's wrong with most modern vehicles. Of course some things can be done by weekend warriors, but with engine problems it's a bit of a tall order.

Thanks for the sound advice, but I don't think you guys read my post. I thought it was pretty clear that I was going to take it in on tuesday. But since it's not, let me break it down. MY $30,000 car is broken. It means a lot to me. I'm going to sit and wonder about it no matter what, until I find out from the mechanic for sure. This topic was generated to get some ideas and maybe focus my wonderings a bit so maybe I wouldn't be worrying about it so much.

Matt

Force said:

Thanks for the sound advice, but I don't think you guys read my post. I thought it was pretty clear that I was going to take it in on tuesday. But since it's not, let me break it down. MY $30,000 car is broken. It means a lot to me. I'm going to sit and wonder about it no matter what, until I find out from the mechanic for sure. This topic was generated to get some ideas and maybe focus my wonderings a bit so maybe I wouldn't be worrying about it so much.

Matt

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Sorry, but no one is going to be able to pinpoint your problem (or even get somewhat close) by reading what kind of pops and sputters your car has. Any advice that you get here is not going to ease your mind, unless your highly skilled in fooling yourself. It's still under warranty anyway, right? Stop worrying, It's not your problem!

Turn the radio up louder. Strange sounds won't be noticed until it hits the shop.

PS--Drive that puppy hard, seriously. Rag the engine out to hell, who cares, it's under warrenty. Then, when your powertrain warrenty is about up, open the engine head up and sabotage it. That way you'll be getting a new engine right about the time your car is paid off.

~lol @ Abasuto's sig

Force, its a Ford, what did you expect? j/k

Seriously, are you driving the car hard?

I can say that it can be one of many things.

Its a 4.6 right?

- You might have a bad valve, very slight crack. (not likely)
- Bad AIC valve
- Fouled plug
- Timing might be off
- Bad gas

It actually sounds like a bad air idle control valve stuck. or some other kind of stuck valve.

Let me know what happens.