After filling up with gas (the smoke smell mentioned below I smelled before pumping gas just didn't realize it was my truck), went onto the highway today going around 50 to 60 when I pushed the gas to the floor and it didn't do a thing no acceleration in 4th or 5th gear usually I can accelerate pretty well in the higher gears, also before this happened I noticed that there was a smoke smell coming from the front of the truck smelled like burning plastic. I immediately got off the road and popped the hood, a puff of smoke came from around the passenger side front almost around the alternator. Checked oil, coolant levels everything seemed fine. So I closed the hood and went. On the way back to the house in third gear the truck started bouncing like it was in to low of gear but it wasn't. When I just rev the engine it sounds fine, also I cant get the smoke smell either. Might this be a clutch going bad? Would a clutch going bad make you not have acceleration at highway speeds? I dont believe this could be a tranny issue but I dont know enough about vehicles to tell. No gauges were moving all were in normal levels. Also there was a guy on here who mentioned he knew a good mechanic in Melbourne florida, I am in orlando, can I have his name again or can you have him email me at ofwarz77@yahoo.com Thanks guys for all your help I hope this is nothing major.

Truck specs..
98 4.2l v6
manual tranny

 

if oil or clutch fluid has leaked onto the flywheel it could cause the clutch to slip and cause a burning smell. if your caliper locked up it could cause the same kind of smell and if bad enough cuase fire or smoke from the pads. and make it hard to accelerate.

if you come up with more info or leads i could prolly help more.

 

<<a puff of smoke came from around the passenger side front almost around the alternator>>

If your alternator is bad, the charging system isn't working, and the battery will drain away its charge. Your truck requires electricity to run - coils, fuel pump, computer, etc.

The behavior you describe would fit this conditon. The smell might be wire insulation burning in te alternator - which would also give you a puff of smoke. If the battery light is on, I'd be pretty sure this is your problem.

 

Sorry for the extrememly long abscence but Mr. Bentwrench you hit the nail on the head on this one with the caliper locking up. Apparently it would freeze on occasion, it came to an abrupt hault 6 months ago with me forking over 1800 dollars to Goodyear who screwed up my back brakes, and rim while replacing the right front caliper because it locked. After they "repaired" everything I was on the way home tapped the brakes going 70 on the highway and the rear end locked up, needless to say I went for a ride. Luckily I recovered from the sideways driving, after many people passed and flipped me off. I had the truck towed to Ford the next day on Goodyears tab of course. Ford said the new caliper and front brake work looked mediocore, and that goodyear apparently misaligned the rears.

Long story short, Ford Dealership replaced the rear, and made some "minor" adjustments to Goodyears "trial by error" approach.. 200 bucks total bill and the braking system is A+

Goodyear said they did everything they were "supposed" to do. I cut my losses as I'm still alive instead of flipping the beast on the highway.

Won't do business with Goodyear again, EVER! The local Ford shop earned a customer for life!