Newbie Here, My First 1991 Ford Festiva!!

[CrookedHalos]

So I've been searching for a Festiva ever since I fell in love with my buddies 1993 automatic. I finally snagged one locally for $500! It rattles a lot (dont think its knocking, I admit I'm still learning on cars all together) Black smoke from the tail pipe and smells a lot of gas. Everything is stock on it and its manual. My first plan is to make it Fuel Injected like my buddies and hose blast the hell out of it. Theres mud and spider webs all around it. Oh also when I accelerated quickly it kind of bogged down but once I went about 3 miles on my 10 mile ride home it felt fine after. I'm so excited!! Please any suggestions on what I should look for would be great. I'm not looking to spend huge money on it, i got it mostly for the gas savings and I like its styling. I would love to learn about all the cheap and worthwhile upgrades for it.

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Ill get more pictures tomorrow of the interior and engine!

[Larry Hampton]

Welcome!! It should already be fuel injected.

You don't know how prophetic your statement, "My First 1991 Ford Festiva" is....

[CrookedHalos]

Title says Model: FEL if that helps

[2xclutchin]

Welcome to the site! Lots of info, and the search function is your best friend!

Any Festiva newer than 90 is Fuel Injected, so you don't have to worry about that.

I do suggest putting your location, or at least a general area where you are, in case you need help with something somebody could be real close to you!

[TNGuy]

Welcome! Anything you need to know you can find here. If you don't just ask someone will help you out. The Festiva community here is great!

[CrookedHalos]

I live here in El Paso Texas. I knew I didn't recognize a carburetor... But my friend kept bringing up carburetor and that he switched one out of his 1994. So I just assumed I was just ignorant and it had to be in there somewhere. If its fuel injected then that smoke worries me now. I plan to use this car as a daily driver since my current one is a 2004 Mustang GT that I want only as a weekend car and show, since its convertible and all. Slowly fix up the Festiva and maintain it. Ill get some pictures up with more details later. I got the car home at night and its real dark outside.

[scitzz]

You don't know how prophetic your statement, "My First 1991 Ford Festiva" is....

Bwahahahahahaha! How true!

Welcome to the site! If the car sat for a long time, some of those problems MIGHT work out just by running.

Texas, eh? Huh. I know of at least one member there that I have met IRL. You should add your location to your profile.

For a car to start learning mechanics on, you have chosen well, young grasshopper. These are the legos of the car world...legos that can move very fast indeed!

[Damkid]

Newbie Here, My First 1991 Ford Festiva!!

88-89's were carb'd 90-93's were EFI

Welcome to the site

[CrookedHalos]

Alright!! I just got done checking out the engine now that I have sunlight to inspect everything. Started up the car (easily), minimal smoke, hardly any. Turned it off and inspected the engine bay. You guys were all right, it is fuel injected! Oil looks pretty bad, and there is no coolant..uh oh.. My plan now is to go out and buy some fluids and hope that it holds in there. Can anyone direct me to a page or let me know here what fluids and parts I need for a complete used car tune up? Plugs, wires, cap and rotor, air filter, oil and coolant.
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[CrookedHalos]

Sorry if this is considered spam or double posting, just trying to get my pictures uploaded!
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[CrookedHalos]

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[eurotiva]

Re: Newbie Here, My First 1991 Ford Festiva!!

Welcome to the site.

Its an addiction.

[CrookedHalos]

Thank you! I'm really appreciating the warm welcome! I'm already enjoying the forum very much

[koRnhead]

Sounds like it had been sitting for quite a while......a simple tune up will more than likely solve the drivabillity issues.

Welcome.

[CrookedHalos]

I sure hope so, judging from the pictures was $500 a good deal?