1998 LTC hesitation problem

I acquired my mom's 1998 Linc. TC about 6 months ago. It now has 58,000 miles on it. Check Engine light has been on for past few months. My mechanic said don't worry about it until it starts blinking (probably not good advise) but he had just run a computer check on car when I got it and all seemed fine. For past few weeks I have had a hesitation problem that is suddenly getting worse. Sometimes car starts up and runs just fine, no matter what the weather outdoors. Then later in the day, or maybe not for a couple days, when I gradually put foot on gas to go from a stopped position, it will chug-chug-chug a few times. If I put foot all the way down on gas, it does nothing to help. I lift up foot, get another couple chugs and maybe a backfire. Then slowly it will start getting the gas it needs and run just fine. I took car to AutoZone and their little handheld tester says it is oxygen sensors problem. Any other suggestions? I'm going to take back to my mechanic and probably get another computer test, but would like to have some suggestions to see if he comes up with same idea. Yesterday I had him put a new fuel filter in car. Told him it is still having the problem today. I asked if maybe it needs a tune-up, plugs changed, etc. but he said it shouldn't at just 58,000 miles. Should I find a new mechanic?

I acquired my mom's 1998 Linc. TC about 6 months ago. It now has 58,000 miles on it. Check Engine light has been on for past few months. My mechanic said don't worry about it until it starts blinking (probably not good advise) but he had just run a computer check on car when I got it and all seemed fine. For past few weeks I have had a hesitation problem that is suddenly getting worse. Sometimes car starts up and runs just fine, no matter what the weather outdoors. Then later in the day, or maybe not for a couple days, when I gradually put foot on gas to go from a stopped position, it will chug-chug-chug a few times. If I put foot all the way down on gas, it does nothing to help. I lift up foot, get another couple chugs and maybe a backfire. Then slowly it will start getting the gas it needs and run just fine. I took car to AutoZone and their little handheld tester says it is oxygen sensors problem. Any other suggestions? I'm going to take back to my mechanic and probably get another computer test, but would like to have some suggestions to see if he comes up with same idea. Yesterday I had him put a new fuel filter in car. Told him it is still having the problem today. I asked if maybe it needs a tune-up, plugs changed, etc. but he said it shouldn't at just 58,000 miles. Should I find a new mechanic?




from what you are sayin it does sound like the fuel/air mixture is off, absolutely. could quite possibly be oxygen sensor. however, you might want to check you idle air control and your MAP or Mass Air Flow sensor, they might be the problems also. It is hard to tell without an exact computer readout. if the autozone dudes said the computer said it was the O2 sensors, then get them changed

Hi, I had the same problem than you, and I check the EGR valve, because ventilation flow was poor.

Carefully remove the EGR valve, get a new gasket for it (maybe you´ll need when takeout), put a clean pad inside the hole of camber (be carefully!!!) and clean the EGR valve.

If you see it excesive wear, mood or any other kind of material, try to get a spare part (about 70.00 USD) and try to use in normal driving situation.

The light on the dashboard will be dissapear and you´ll notice increasing in speed.

Regards.