iddles ruff, poor gas economy

Teachy21

Registered User
First, i'd like to say hello, to the forum since i'm new, cuz i just found this forum a few days ago.

I have a nice 1989 Cougar 3.8 LS non-supercharged, which is in excellent shape and also low mileage. But now since this summer i have been having the following problems :

- hard to start, need to crank alot for it to start especially well cold
- iddles ruff
- poor gas economy (around 21miles/per gallon on highway)
- runs rich on gas, so a buildup of carbon is witness
- also have a hissing sound when the engine is on park or when i pressed the gas.
- check engine lights up sometimes when hot

To try to resolve this problem i have tried alot of stuff, as you can see.
- had my head gaskets changed since one was blown and i had antifreeze i'm my oil pan
- changed my spark plugs (motorcraft)
- distributor
- rotor
- changed my spark plugs cables (motorcraft)
- changed oxygen sensors (aftermarket)
- changed idle air control valve (motorcraft)

also had an engine clean at a ford dealership (a motorvac fuel system cleaning)

now i'm basically out of things that i think that could go wrong. I'm thinking maybe it might be my EGR valve, but i don't know what are the signs of a bad EGR valve, cuz i seem to have vaccum going to the EGR valve, since i'm feeling a sucktion on that vaccum hose.

anybody who has an idea of the resolution to my problem would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for any of the help that can help me find the problem to my nice cat.
 
Check codes and report back.

Also look for vacuum leaks. Use RTV Copper silicone on all IC connections and SC top. Just but a nice thin even coat don't go crazy.
 
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