Problems with my Ford F-150

[MossflowerWoods]

I hope this is an OK topic.

My 2001 F-150 (automatic, 5.4L V8, 2WD, 4-door, 97,500 miles) is giving me fits.

I don't know how to work on the new stuff, but my step-dad was a diesel mecanic and my brothers and I could do everything up to rebuilding engines by the time we finished HS.

I swear my truck is acting like there is water in the distributor cap. it is randomly "missing" and making the entire truck shudder and lose power.

This is typically when gently accelerating like a slight hill, or just creeping the speedback up. It was TERRIBLE yesterday with my little JD LX266 mower on a flat bed. It was terrible this morning going into town, but it was flawless all the way back home.

The engine does NOT rev like with a slipping clutch.

It is not RPM specific, although it is clearly worst between 1500 and 2000.

I've run a can of injector cleaner through the system.

It is not gear specific as far as I can tell, but I can't go very far in 2nd without going over 2000 RPM.

Typically when it does it I slack off and then quickly goose the throttle to boost the RPMs over 2K and drive through.

I have no warning lights, and they put a machine on it and I have no codes.

I have checked and rechecked every mechanical thing I can think of.

I cannot reproduce at will. Sometimes it drives perfect, sometimes not.

Tomorrow I'm going to let the AAMCO guy check the tranny (but I do not believe that is it, and I'm not sure I trust him).

I'm at the end of my wits.

Got any good ideas?

Thanks in advance,
David

 

[om21braz]

I have no warning lights, and they put a machine on it and I have no codes.

Who is they? I'm not real sure about this, but I think the scanner at a Ford dealership will show more detail than does even a Snap-On Modus, etc. not to mention the cheaper units. My first guess would be possibly a plug wire;s and/or coil pack. I'll let someone else bring up the possible spark plug issue as I have had 3 Ford vehicles with 4.6 and 5.4 - never any trouble, one was 150k+ miles.

 

[tcartwri]

Plugged or malfunctioning EGR will cause what feels like a lean miss. Very common. So common, that ford should recommend a routine replacement interval in the manual.

It is worse just off idle and at light cruise. sound familiar??

 

[wedge40]

I'm no Ford mechanic.. But I'd have the COP's checked. COP= Coil on Plug.
If you have one breaking down that could cause your issue.
I'm not sure you will always get a code when they start to break down. I replace mine at about 95K miles. I also have 2001 F150 with the 5.4L engine.
There is is website called f150online that might give some other ideas as well.
Hope this isn't your only vehicle.


Wedge

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Plugged or malfunctioning EGR will cause what feels like a lean miss. Very common. So common, that ford should recommend a routine replacement interval in the manual.

It is worse just off idle and at light cruise. sound familiar??

Tim,

I thought an EGR valve problem would give me a "check engine" light.

You are basically right. approx 1500 to 2000 rpm, cruising with traffic at any speed, slight slow down and when I try to accelerate gently back to speed CHUGGA-CHUGGA-CHUGGA the whole truck shudders and shakes (the rpm never change).

David

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Who is they? I'm not real sure about this, but I think the scanner at a Ford dealership will show more detail than does even a Snap-On Modus, etc. not to mention the cheaper units. My first guess would be possibly a plug wire;s and/or coil pack. I'll let someone else bring up the possible spark plug issue as I have had 3 Ford vehicles with 4.6 and 5.4 - never any trouble, one was 150k+ miles.

This was the local mecanic shop.

He said I may need to bite the bullet and visit the Dealer an shell out the $100 for a diagnosis because they can read deeper level codes than he can.

This truck as given me NO PROBLEMS until now.

David

 

[MossflowerWoods]

I'm no Ford mechanic.. But I'd have the COP's checked. COP= Coil on Plug.
If you have one breaking down that could cause your issue.
I'm not sure you will always get a code when they start to break down. I replace mine at about 95K miles. I also have 2001 F150 with the 5.4L engine.
There is is website called f150online that might give some other ideas as well.
Hope this isn't your only vehicle.


Wedge

Wedge,

I'm headed to F-150 online next.

My local shop said you are supposed to get a light for the COP. But I guess I need to just go into town to the dealer and let them tell me what is wrong.

PS - So are you Wedge like the guy in Star Wars (Luke's buddy in the death star fight). Or wedge like in a hockey manuver.... Just curious...

Be well!
David

 

[om21braz]

I'm headed to F-150 online next.

My local shop said you are supposed to get a light for the COP. But I guess I need to just go into town to the dealer and let them tell me what is wrong.

Good Luck, hopefully it turns out to be a relatively cheap fix!

 

[cowski]

looks like a coil problem,there is one on every plug.you could change all the coil packs and avoid going to the ford dealer.

 

[tcartwri]

Tim,

I thought an EGR valve problem would give me a "check engine" light.

You are basically right. approx 1500 to 2000 rpm, cruising with traffic at any speed, slight slow down and when I try to accelerate gently back to speed CHUGGA-CHUGGA-CHUGGA the whole truck shudders and shakes (the rpm never change).

David

That does sound more than an EGR problem. And the EGR will throw various codes depending on what the issue is.