Transmission screwed??

Hi, i've never used this before, but anyway, onto the problem,
I have a 1997 contour GL, my parents got it for me, and it ran great, now, all of the sudden, its driving loike a piece of .....junk, every once in a while, after idleing, i get absolutely no response, i can floor it, and go.....maybee 20 kms, then all of the sudden i get a huge jump (like someone learning to drive a stick) and it just takes off, or ill just be driving, and it will do the same, going about 50kms, then all the sudden a jump, and i start going slower. It kinda sounds like i was driving, put it into nuetral, pushed the gas, and did a neutral drop, i really dislike the noise, it really sounds like im doing serious damage to my transmission, oh yeah, it ahs a 2 liter 4 cylinder, 4 speed auto. in case that helps, PLEASE, HELP ME!, i don't like looking like a fool, thanks

does the engine rev up before it catches in gear?

i don't know, im not very inclined, all i know is that sometimes, ill floor it from a complete stop, and the engine sounds like its getting no gas, then all the sudden, my whole car just jumps, and my car gets a huge burst of response, it only does this in the lower speeds though, once i get to about 60kms, it stops

Sound's more like a fuel/censor problem than a Transmission problem to me.

well, my friend found something about a recall on some webpage about a transmission linkage sensor or something like that, oh and another off topic question, am i wrong , or is there NOT supposed to be oil in the spots where the spark plugs go in? because i personally don't think so, and i think that the cylinder head needs a new gasket, but my dad wont let me buy one untill i have proof of it...(i don't wanna spend like 70 dollars at the shop just to get it checked, when i can replace it myself if it is the problem

well, my friend found something about a recall on some webpage about a transmission linkage sensor or something like that, oh and another off topic question, am i wrong , or is there NOT supposed to be oil in the spots where the spark plugs go in? because i personally don't think so, and i think that the cylinder head needs a new gasket, but my dad wont let me buy one untill i have proof of it...(i don't wanna spend like 70 dollars at the shop just to get it checked, when i can replace it myself if it is the problem

oil in the cylinders is definetely not a good sign.

so i DO need a new head gasket??, and if so, could this be my problem, (meaning a vacume leak from the cylinder head?)
I just want my car to run better, in the meantime, i am making a custom body kit for it, lukilly i dont have to spend anything :), i have everything i need, (input on this idea would be nice), im going to relocate the licence plate into a new custom bumper, and where the licence plate USED to be is gonna become flat and flush with the rest of the trunk, im also gonna relocate the ford and contour symbols to this middle location, and probably take out the trunk key hole (man i hate that, and it's ugly as sin), but if anyone sees this as a mistake, before i start please say so... thanks

Well, i replaced the fuel filter, and soo far it has been fine, but then again, this is a completely random thing, so i will keep you posted .....cross you fingers for me that it is fixed,

is there NOT supposed to be oil in the spots where the spark plugs go in? because i personally don't think so, and i think that the cylinder head needs a new gasket, but my dad wont let me buy one untill i have proof of it...

Are you saying that when you pull the spark plug wires to access the spark plugs, you see oil, or do you mean when you pull the spark plugs out of the head, they are covered in oil? If you see oil on the spark plug boots, then all you really need (to fix the oil leak anyway) is a valve cover gasket set. The valve cover gasket set includes the spark plug well seals.

If the plugs are coated in oil, then you might have a bad head gasket, but more likely your rings are shot. Check the cylinder compression.

Also, I realize you have probably found your issue and repaired it by now since this was an old post. I've basically posted this to help others who are doing a search for oil leaks, etc.

-Rod

as a matter of fact i HAVE gotten the problem fixed, turns out, i did need a new valve cover gasket, or W.E. you wanna call it, now, no more oil, and second the lack of power and crappy everything was because of my mass air flow sensor, got it all cleaned up runs great, also i dont know if i mentioned the check engine light comming on, but yeah that was due to the O2 sensor, reseted codes or whatever, light not back yet, so its all good

thanks for all your imput guys