My Tbird was running fine, no missing - running very smooth. I parked it and three hours later went to start it. It was missing very bad and there was a very strong gas smell. I drove it for about 30 minutes and during that time I could watch the gas hand going down and the gas smell was getting stronger and stronger. The check engine light came on while I was driving.<br><br>I had the code read on the check engine light - it said a misfire on the #6 plug. I put new plugs and plug wires in it and it isn't missing as badly now. The #6 plug was fouled out or very near it, as well as a couple of the other plugs.<br><br>BUT there is a steady drop of gas dripping onto the manifold on the right side of the engine under the bottom of the engine. When I crawl under the car, I cannot see where the gas is dripping from and I have felt all around under and to the rear side of the engine. No gas. The fuel injector rack is bone dry.<br><br>It has a 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis 4.6L engine with only 35,000 miles on it. It has not been smoking, clicking, or rattling. As I said earlier, it's been running very smoothly.<br><br>Can anybody offer any suggestions??? <br><br>Thanks!!!<br><br>MsTbird

Mine was doing something similar and I spent a TON of money getting it figured out and fixed. I didn't have external gas leaking so it might be something different for you, but what my problem ended up being was that my ECM was bad. It was about $200 from ford and it solved the problem. <br><br>GOOD LUCK!<br><br>Paul

i had similar prob. w/ misfire on #2 cyl., turned out computer was telling that injector to stay wide open . i used 5 gals. of gas just going to my mechanic, u may have same problem. another possibility is ignition wires there only good for 60k mi. in 4.6. i strongly suggest u change your oil once u get things in order because when u have a misfire condition raw unburnt fuel ends up in crankcase this is NOT GOOD. good luck!

In response to the comment from rt2send:<br><br>I checked the oil, there is a gas smell on the dipstick, I will definitely have to change the oil when I get this problem fixed.<br><br>When you had the misfire on #2 and the computer was telling the injector to stay wide open - what was required to correct the problem? And did you have gas leaking out onto the ground under the engine. I have replaced all 8 plugs with Platinum plugs and replaced all the ignition wires. The car isn't missing as bad, but my biggest problem is still the gas leak. It's a very tiny, but steady drop of gas falling onto the manifold on the drivers side under the engine.<br><br>I appreciate all the help and any suggestions anybody can give.<br><br>Thanks,<br>MsTbird

i had 2 replace computer, cost a few hundred but i never had to do much else with the car over the 100k mi. i've put on it . your prob may be injector itself or computer like mine. make sure u get that oil changed even if u have 2 do it 2-3 times. cheap compared 2 replacing engine. leaking fuel is prob excess in manifold. this is not a good condition u have i strongly suggest u refrain from driving it until it is fixed! just think how happy you'll be when u go to pick up the car knowing it is fixed. the computer itself was $225 or so at dealer labor was a couple hours due 2 location chosen by "the better idea folks" i think the light bulb was out the day they chose it . but all things considered their pretty good cars though. i use tranny cooler and get my fluid changed every 30k mi.@ dealer. never any prob with that after 140k mi.. good luck and get that thing fixed pronto! Joe

Did you see my last post????<br><br>That is almost exactly what my problem was! I spent a bunch of money figuring out that it was a $200 part just last week! <br>Just make sure you get the right ECM. The first one they put in mine was for an 89 (mine is a 94). <br><br>I had 2 cylinders stying on all the time. If you have a cylinder staying on all the time, there is really only one thing that can be causing that

Thank you paulo289 so much for the expert advice. You were right!!!!! It was the ECM, the part fixed my problem... BUT now I have a bigger, more expensive problem.<br><br>I also had two injectors that were staying wide open. The raw fuel worked it's way through my entire exhaust system and out the tailpipe. As a result, my catalytic converters (all 3) and possibly all of my oxygen sensors have been contaminated with fuel.<br><br>My mechanic let the car run for two hours in the hope that the fuel would evaporate. He says the fumes are still pretty bad and it is smoking quite a bit from the fuel in the exhaust system.<br><br>He doesn't recommend driving the car without replacing the entire exhaust system. A local Ford dealership says to drive the car for a week or so to see if the fuel will evaporate.<br><br>Did you have this problem too Paul? <br><br>Has anyone had this problem? Any advice is much appreciated.<br><br>Thanks,<br>MsTbird

I did have this in mine too. In fact, it actually helped in diagnosing it. <br>Long story short- they pulled my Y-pipe out and let it all drain and dry out. The cats are pretty well ruined, but I decided to not worry with it until I need to smog it again in 2 years. It's probably not the greatest idea, but once the fuel was drained out and it was all dry, it hasn't been a problem.<br>I also did need new O2 sensors all around.