My truck is surging and maybe missing while accelerating. Mostly below 2200 RPM
I was using a cheaper gas due to a slight financial situation. And then I changed the plugs to Bosch Platinum. I hadn't driven it for a few days but when I did it ran horribly. I gased up at a better location and the problem seemed to lessen. My cousin suggested changing the fuel filter and I'm thinking of getting the injectors cleaned.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

 

I have seen that happen on the V6 Mustangs once. The problem was related to bad gas at the Pioneer gas stations. The fuel filter got clogged and in turned caused the fuel pump to blow up.. I suggest getting the filter checked as soon as you can.

Paul.

 

Took the truck to a tune up shop today
Changed fuel filter
3 way cleaning on the fuel injectors
Codes showed one plug was missing, it was cracked. They replaced it.
I could not afford the 60 dollar an hour diagnostics to go farther(it had already taken 3) so I left with it running worse than before on a full tank of Amaco.
The main man did mention something about the fuel pump.
But could it run good above 3 grand on the tach with a bad fuel pump?
Thinking of going to motorcraft plugs?
Please help this is getting way expensive.

 

I am not a mechanic.. but I can understand your frustrations. I would recommend sticking with the factory plugs as they are designed for the truck. It is possible for the cylinder to not be firing if you had a cracked plug. on the Ford engines when a plug goes down it will whut down two cylinders and they will not come back up until the computer is properly re-set (Usually costs about $80 bucks at a shop). Is the engine light comming on?

As for the 3000 rpm, yes, if a cylinder or two is down it could smoothen out above 3000, but it will not have the power that it should.

 

the check engine light has never been on
How is the computer reset?
Could I do it or say someone with access to a dyagnostics computer?

 

congradulations, you got the shakes. This is a common problem with these engines, mine has it too. The bosch platinum +4's are not recomended for the 4.2. They work alright in some, but terribly in most causing a rough idle and hesitation. lots of people have similar problems with the stock ignition. I beleive that it is a problem with spark though. The funny thing is, for me any how, it only happens more often on winter formulated gas, but it also happens during the summer in extremely heavy rain. I think the problem is possibly the plugs wires or coil pack(the primary and secondary windings of my coil pack were slightly out of spec). Hopefully santa will bring me some accel high performance replacements. I think there is also a correlation between this problem and poor gas mileage (I get 13 mpg). So, in short, you're not alone, but also remember, I am by no means an expert on this, these are just my meandering thoughts on the situation

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BigBunnell

98 F150 4X4 XLT flareside V6 5sp K&N Flowmaster and some other goodies

 

I've got the plat 4's on my 4.2L. I've heard everything from they are bad to that they are good. My truck was already misfiring and dieing before I put them in. And they haven't solved the problem but they didn't make it worse either.
We replaced the pcv valve and egr(?) valve - the pcv valve made the biggest difference. no more rough vibrations at every stoplight and surging while going idling speed through parking lots.
I just don't know about the plugs, though. Don't know who to believe. But nothing bad has happened yet.

 

I had the same problem. I called FORD Corporate office and they made a few calls and told me to take it back to the dealer. I got lucky and the check engine light came on right when I pulled up to drop it off. They went through the truck and found that it had a bad O2 sensor, dirty injectors, dirty MAS, fouled plugs. I put th OE plugs back in the truck(Platnum 4). The truck ran awsom for about two days, then started running like crap all over again.
Its rough at idle and missing REAL bad on hard acceleration. I took the truck back another time and they couldnt find anything wrong with it(Thats what the computer said). They will not fix unless you hound them or the computer shows a problem.
I have had my truck to the dealer seven times for this and it is not getting any better. The O2 sensors run about $65 and there are four of them.

Also, mine seems to be worse after the engine is nice and warm. How about you?

------------------
Ed

• '97 F-150 2wd 4.2l Auto, Supercab
• 265/75 R16
• Catback system
• Airtornado
• K&N system
• 3.55 gears
• Superchip
• 10 disk CD Changer
• Soon to have 75 shot of NOS, 3" lift kit and 4.11 gears.

[This message has been edited by getsumbaby (edited 12-19-2000).]

 

Interesting comments. I Would not take the truck to the dealer as they are bone heads. Take the truck to a very reliable mechanic in your area. Have him take a look at it and give his diagnostic (it's free!). Most likely he will recommend a 24 hour monitoring and then a computer reset. I would most likely go ahead with it as his job is to fix the problem.. ford's job is to get your money and get rid of you.

Don't try re-programing the computer yourself, you will most likely foul it up.

I have the Bosch +4's right now and have had them for 8 months now. My truck is a 97 and has 96,000 KM on it and runs great. Only problems are a rusted chasis (duh!), the small door crack on the driver side and I wish that it was standard . I will be changing out the +4's for OEM plugs in a month as we will be installing the supercharger and the +4's will run too hot causing detonation.

Paul
Autonet Performance
-Partner
http://www.autoperformance.net

 

It is always way more pronounced whrn it is warm. I think Im going to get an ignition from jacobs as soon as possible and change the valve cover and PCV ASAP. I took out the plugs today and they were all nice and clean. im getting really frustrated at this point. I got a Ypack put on yesterday for Christmas and noe I just have a great sounding truck that runs like crap.
Thanks for the help you guys.