New rebuilt engine stalling question

[2ndmouse]

I just had the stock 1.3L in our festiva rebuilt & new clucth put in we got it back yesterday.

Odd problem. It runs great. Idles fine, good pickup, no odd noises. Every now and then when you stop, it stalls.

IE, come to a stop sign, let off the gas, hit the clutch, it dies. It will start right up again no problem. it will idle fine when you restart it in neutral or with the clutch in.
When you come up on a stop, take your foot off the gas and put the clutch in, it just stops running.

No sputter no gag no nothing.
and it doesnt do it all the time, it did it twice on the way home and it did it a few times today while out running around.

What could this be? It has a brand new clutch but it doesnt act like a clutch induced stall, or a fuel starve out stall. its like turning off the key.

I have to call the shop that did it so they can deal with it but I'm looking for opinions from people who have done rebuilds with similar complications.

It never, ever stalled before the rebuild.

Any guesses/input?

Thanks!!

[freshtiva]

VAF connection ?

[2ndmouse]

Could be.
Might be a leaky vacuum line when they hooked it all back up somewhere.

[2ndmouse]

The shop guy said the computer has to adjust to the new power curve and the sensors have to run and adjust the TPS and some other stuff. He says give it 4k miles or so and if its still doing it he'll fix it.

it isnt a PITA yet so, I guess I'll give it its 4k miles to reset or whatever.

Sounds odd to me but hey if I knew better, I woulda rebuilt the thing myself.
lol

[bravekozak]

no way

Get that statement in writing from him. Make sure he signs his name to it. One test run, at speed, should set all the computer sensors in any vehicle. Take it to a Ford dealer to have it fixed and send the invoice to Mr. Rebuild. If he doesn't pay, take him to court.

[FeistyFesti]

Maybe the idle speed is set too low or timing slightly off?

[FestYboy]

sounds like the iac isn't reacting fast enough... but that's just me.

[hotfordcat]

Get that statement in writing from him. Make sure he signs his name to it. One test run, at speed, should set all the computer sensors in any vehicle. Take it to a Ford dealer to have it fixed and send the invoice to Mr. Rebuild. If he doesn't pay, take him to court.

^^ Doesn't take 4000 miles for the puter to reset. Go to Ford, have them find the problem. You can have it fixed wherever you want. Maybe DIY. Don't trust that idiot.

[2ndmouse]

I didn't think it took that long.
It didn't stall at all today. It's running like a top and idles better today, actually. Go figure.

I got a years parts & labor warranty on the rebuild. The guy who usually does my "I dont wanna do it" worked in a ford garage for years, and seem to be able to fix perfectly whatever I break around here. I've never delt with the rebuild guy and his machine shop but he's been there for 30+ yrs, and is highly recommended.

I'm not gonna get bent out of shape over it, the cars 20 yrs old, and sh!t happens. He did a really good job and gave me a good written warranty.

If its something like a bad TPS or some other part that didnt take well to being moved around, no big deal.... It can be replaced.

I just was scratching my head over it. Ive had engines do that before but I dont remember how I fixed it. I think a Ford contour we had did that and the air flow sensor thing on the intake had to be replaced. And my truck did something similar and the TPS was fried.

I was just wondering of it could be something mechanical from the rebuild that wasn't adjusted. I kinda doubt it.

Just out of curiosity, when you rebuild one of these engines, what does need reset/readjusted?
Its a 91, FI, 5 speed.

[2ndmouse]

I was thinking might be the vacuum throttle control dashpot. I'm sure it's as old as the car. Those things can cause that kinda stalling. It has a big one on the throttle linkage. It may just need adjusted/replaced.

[mechanicaldj]

are you allowing any break-in time after the rebuild?

[2ndmouse]

That's what the rebuilder said, give it a few 1000 miles of mixed normal driving. They did the initial break in and shes drivng the car to work, 30mi to and 30 mi back mixed driving on back roads and a few highways. I'll change the oil in 500 miles then again at 1000 or so, maybe a few more times before I switch to full synthetic.

I sort of agree with the shop, give it a few 1000 miles to break in and then if it still stalls address the problem.

I figure in a days running she has to come to a stop at least a few dozen times and it only stalls like that maybe once or twice a day. She says it didnt stall at all yesterday and its running better than when we picked it up.

Everyone has a different idea, but I take em all into consideration.
Thanks!

[2ndmouse]

No more stalling, and it's idling much better now. I just did the 500 mile oil change, and took it for a spin. I think it's running a lot better than it did when we got it back.

Something must have gone right.
lol

[Fordverde]

what oil does it had?

[2ndmouse]

10w30