I want to apologize ahead of time if this is not the appropriate place for my question.

I have a 98 F-150 4.6L v8 and currently just under 95k miles. Fortunately i have not had any major issues with my transmission, AC & Heat, and the like. I change my motor oil about every 3-4 months and replace air filters. I've changed out the spark plugs about 2 years ago with Motorcraft brand and change out the brake pads on my front wheels as needed.

Is there anything else i can do to keep my truck maintained? I noticed lately when i turn on my truck and accelerate, it will hesitate for a bit and then pick up. This also happens when I'm driving, whether on the highway or neighborhoods, it will hesitate for a bit when i accelerate then go back to normal. This started up just a few weeks ago and am not sure where to start.

Thanks

 

It might be time for new plug wires - it might be time to put some injector cleaner in the gas. It's hard to nail something like this down if the CEL is not coming on.

I don't see anywhere in your post whether you have ever changed the fuel filter. This should be done about every 30k.

 

I'd be looking at changing the fuel filter, flushing the tranny fluid, cleaning the MAF (may solve your problem), plug wires, and front 02 sensors.

 

sorry, i forgot to mention that i did change the fuel filter about 6-7 months ago but i haven't done a flush on the transmission fluid. I also changed out the wires(boots) about 4 months ago cause i was having a problem with the truck hesitating during acceleration and wanting to die out when idle - that seemed to fix the problem.

Any other advice is greatly appreciated - Thanks guys

 

You can drain that transmission both from the pan and the torque convertor. I would do that and replace the filter. Also front and rear diffs.

 

How about the coil packs themselves? I'd do as everyone mentioned, but added to the MAF cleaning, do a throttle body cleaning, IAC cleaning and maybe check or just replace the PCV. PCV's are cheap and easy to replace or even test. Other than that, rear end fluid is fine, brake fluid too but how's the coolant? If you never changed it or don't at least every 3 years, maybe it's time. It's not hurting anything but good to do. I would check the ball joints and tie rods. There's not a whole lot else you can do without serious test equipment so keep the maintenance up as good as you seem to and you will be fine. If you do change the coolant, change the t-stat too, it wouldn't hurt.

 

not sure if it is a 4x4 or not but if it is changing transfer case fluid can't hurt, and is very commonly over looked. my truck is only at 87 K and needed transfer case fluid bad (very dirty)

 

I would definately check the IAC.