Hey everyone, new here. First time posting but I have lurked on here for awhile and found some very informative and useful information.

I have a 1998 Ford F-150 Lariat 4x4 5.4L and the previous owner had the cats removed. The O2 sensors are still in the pipes but there are no cats. The truck is throwing some codes but when idling you can smell it running real rich. Also, when I start it first thing in the morning it has a rough idle and then clears up.
At random times when driving slow it will stumble (not like a coil going bad) but just loses power and falls on its face for maybe 3-5 seconds and then it picks right back up.

I am wondering if some of this is caused by not having cats installed...? If so, do I need to install 4 new cats or can I just install 2 in between the sensors?

Codes currently showing are: P0133 P1131 P1132

Thanks for any help!

Taylor

 

Start by replacing the front O2 sensor on the passenger side, clear the codes, and see if any come back. You definitely have a bad O2, but you may also have a leaky or stuck injector on that side.

 

Ok thanks. I would like to put some cats on it to get rid of the excessive rich smell. Will one cat on each side be enough?

 

Wait till you get the codes cleared - I'm betting the rich smell will go away. It's running rich because of a faulty O2 and/or a leaky/stuck injector, not because it has no cats. If you put cats on before you fix it, all you will do is trash the new cats due to excessive fuel.

 

Replaced the front O2 sensor on the passenger side today. Cleared the codes. Haven't ran it much since I replaced it. Codes haven't showed back up yet. Still smells rich but maybe not as bad. How can I check the injectors?

Thanks for the replies and help!

 

How is it running? If it's still rough on a cold start, you probably do have a leaky injector. Lift the fuel rail, keeping the injectors connected to the rail, and set a piece of paper under the injectors. Turn on the key, and if any of the injectors are leaking you will see it. It would not hurt to put some Techron in the gas.

 

Put about 50 miles on it since replacing the O2 sensor and so far no codes. It is running better but still rough on a cold start and still smells a little rich. Gonna check the injectors today.

I've had to replace several coils on this truck and I am thinking about replacing all 8 at once. What coils do you recommend?

Thanks again and I will update you on the injectors!

 

For BEST results, use Motorcraft coils and spark plugs. It also wouldn't hurt to pull the throttle body and clean it. Also clean the MAF sensor.

 

I checked the injectors and I think the #8 was leaking a little. It was really hard to tell but I think it was. It's running good but it still runs rough on cold start and still smells rich.

 

That's all it takes. Don't install cats till that's definitely fixed.

 

What do you think about the reman bosch injectors?

 

Depends on who rebuilt them.

 

These are the ones I was referring to.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200902253767?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT