This question is in regards to a 1996 Ford Thunderbird.
 
A couple of weeks ago, I drove home on a cold day.  It was about a :40 trip,
mostly highway.  As soon as I got home, my phone rang.  My friend had left
their cell phone in my car and wanted to meet me somewhere to pick it up.
 
I had left the car parked in my driveway, which is on a downward incline.  I
started the car, and it was running very rough, like it was only hitting on
half its cylinders.  I turned it off, waited a moment, and then restarted it.
It started back up fine, so I didn't worry any more about it.
 
Today, when I left work, I had many short errands to run.  Today was Sunny,
in the mid-40's... somewhat warmer than that other day.  From work to home,
I guess I made a total of three short stops, and didn't have to drive very far
between.  No highway driving to speak of, but there was one climb up a very
steep street where the car "bogged" down, like it was pulling weight.
 
About :30 later, I had to go back out again.  The car was again parked on the
incline, and I had the same problem, but this time, it did not clear up until
I rolled it down into the level garage to start it.  I also noticed it was
making a strange sound after I'd shut it off each time, and it sounds like it
is coming from behind mostly, like the fuel tank or pump.  Sort of a
humming/gurgling sound.
 
I got it running, and drove it where I needed to go.  It was parked level
there, and didn't not have any trouble starting, or making unusual sounds
when I got ready to leave.  I was probably there :20 - :30.  The one
difference was that it was parked in complete Sunlight at this stop.
 
I was home another :30 or so, and had to go out yet again.  This time, I had
it parked level in the garage, and it again went through the bad start and
noise routine, repeatedly.  I finally called my friend and had them meet me
here instead of out.  They got in the car, and turned the key, while I
listened with the hood up.  BTW, it was actually making the noises when I'd
first turn the key by now, at about the time I'd normally hear the fuel pump
power up (and I could still hear the pump power on, over the
other noise, once outside the car).  However, when we actually cranked it
over, it would start fine by now (maybe 1 hour from when I'd brought it home).
 
These incidents were on separate tanks of gas, and I have used about 1/2 of
this tank, without problems.  However, both days that I have had problems, I
was down at least 1/2 tank (on the gauge, at least) when the problem happened.
 
The car could probably use a tune-up, but this now sounds to me like more than
just a tune-up problem.  Any ideas?
 
Michael
 
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 (0xfe) SLMR 2.1a (0xfe) You radiate cold shafts of broken glass!
 


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