Ford Repair: Ford Contour Check Engine Light, exhaust gas recirculation valve, exhaust gas recirculation

Question
Thanks, Erik,

I did replaced 4 spark plugs and engine oil and filter. The check engine
light it out now. However, the clicking problem is still there. Everytime,
when I press the gas paddle hard when driving, I can hear "click n click",
also I can feel a shaking pulse from the gas paddle too and the car speed is not going up smoothly.. Is this related to the auto-transmission? Because When the car is at rest and I press the gas paddle, There is no such click sound.

Thanks,

Gang

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Followup To
Question -
Dear Expert,

My car is Ford Contour 1996, 154,446 milage. And
The problem is check engine light keeping flashing.And when I drove it uphill, the engine was just shaking and banging. I also heard a click n click sound from the bottom of the car. I have it checked and the problem code
is DTC 0304: 4th cylinder miafire detected.

Can you give me some advice? Should I do some fuel system cleaning?

Numerous thanks.

Gang


Answer -
Hello and thanks for the question...I'll try to help.
 What I would suggest to you is that you perform an oil and filter change and then, replace the spark plug(s).
Hope this helps,
Erik

Answer
Hello and thanks for the reply...I'll try to help.
 What I think you are hearing is engine ping/knock. This is usually caused by the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) valve not working properly. Also, try upgrading the octane of fuel to see if the problem gets better/worse/stays the same. Were there any other codes besides the 0304/misfire #4? You might want to do a complete inspection of the engine tune up condiditon, including a professional fuel injector cleaning, not the kind you add to your gas tank, but done at a garage.
Hope this helps,
Erik