Inconsistent rough ride

[byrnzy]

Hi All

just wondering if anyone has had anything similar to the weird issue i am about to describe to you all. I have a 2007 MA Zetec, 2.3ltr 6 speed auto.


Over the last 2 years on approx 5 times the following scenario has occurred. The car would be at speed and all of a sudden a violent shudder will occur. Its hard to describe, but it is like the car is about to stall or is having a serious cough. On one occasion the car has stalled while doing a 3 point turn and it has taken a few tries to get it to kick over again.

Now, on each of these times the following items have had to occur.

1. The car must be full , with less then 20 kms driven since the tank was full. It has only ever had 98 Octane and it is 99% of the time Caltex.
2. The day must be warmish, ie Sydney 25 - 30 degrees or above
3. And the car must be parked on a hill with its nose in the air for some period of time , more then an hour or 2.

On one occasion, i was able to let the car idle in my garage when this situation occurred. The revs would drop, and it stalled once. After letting it idle for a while the problem went away, but that is once the fuel gauge had moved slightly.

The other night it was doing the same issue, approx 15 kms since the tank was last filled. Knocked it into Sports mode, and it played up in 3rd gear more then any other gear, but the revs never dropped. After a few more kms the car comes good and it is fine.

I know it sounds weird, but has anyone had anything remotely similar to this

thanks