Hi guys,
Looking for some help on a '98 Ford Contour SE we're working on. It has the DOHC 2.0L engine. Car runs and drives good, but sputters and loses power at highway speeds every now and then. The check engine light came on and a code scan revealed a code of "PO1131". Someone told us that code was related to the EGR valve or the EGR sensor.

I'll be darned if I can find an EGR valve on this car... looked everywhere, no luck. I don't have alot of experience working on Fords, so any help would be great.

Thanks!
-Tony

DTC P1131 is for the upstream H02S not switching, lean condition.. P1131 indicates the fuel/air ratio is correcting rich for an overly lean condition.. The HO2S voltage is less than 0.45 volt.

Withthe 2.0's variable camshaft timing,and gas exchange in the cylinders, the exhaust emissions regulations can be met without the use of a pulse air system or an exhaust gas recirculation system .. No EGR...

Install a fuel pressure gauge and monitor fuel pressure during an event orprior.. Since the H02S is reading lean, and the fuel system is trying to go rich to correct for/to a spec ratio, could be a pump/pressure fault or 'possible' filter...

I have a problem with the airflow being resrticted to the EGR valve can anyone HELP me (1998 Contour 2.5 DOHC)

Remove throttlebody and clean the ports behind it. Have a throttlebody gasket onhand before getting into the job. You may also have to remove upper intake manifold since there are other ports that should be cleaned. Be sure to have a new manifold gasket before starting the job. The Contour has a problem with carbon build up in this area so this should be done once a year.
There are sensors that could also cause this problem (DPFE and EGR Actuator) replace those only if the code returns. Those part numbers are DPFE - F77Z-9J460-AB, and EGR Actuator - F63Z-9J459-AA.