Help,
My 97 4.6 4x4 has 130k on it. I bought it from a friend of mine that maintained it fairly well. It is running sluggish sort of like bogging down. I know a tune up was just done about 3k ago. Any ideas on what to check. How to check the COP. Are they expensive. How about MAF. Is it possible to clean it. What else. I know with 130k the motor is tired and I should probably be looking into a new motor and trans but the (benjamins) are a bit low now. Could the CAT be plugged? Help.

Mike

 

Have you tried changing the fuel filter yet??

-Brian

 

As a matter of fact NO I have not tried this yet and I know for a fact the guy I bought the truck from did not either. I guess this might be a contributing factor to my problem. Thanks

 

I think we got this one solved.

 

O.K. changed the fuel filter had the trans flushed and radiator flushed. Seems to have a tiny bit more pep. Don't know if I mentioned this earlier, but my truck is also jerking and sort of missing. At idle it is fine. When I hammer it it shifts ok but still feels like a dog in the power department. I also have coilpaks. The truck was tuned up recently. What is this about the hose at #4 plug wire. I am referencing from a previouse thread. I wonder if a trble code was made. Any ideas guys.

Mike

 

Find a local Mechanic with a MotorVac Technologies CarbonClean system. Have him run this on your truck. It'll clean the entire fuel system. My local mechanic charges $79 for the treatment and it made loads of difference. You can feel it both in power and in your pocket when it comes time to put gas in it.

Some people here will tell you that injectors cannot be cleaned this way. They are wrong. This does work, and work well.

 

Did you get new coilpacks with this tune up......?

 

Yes you can clean the MAF. It should be done regulary and will affect performance and gas milage. Most use brake cleaner or electric contact cleaner, so you can search on that. Here is one link that will help.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...hreadid=109024

 

I dont think ive ever heard of that stuff. Where can i get it?

 

You can get it pretty much anywhere. Most commonly referred to as just contact cleaner.

-Brian

 

I don't remember. If you buy a can it will last so long that you won't remember where you got it, and maybe won't even know where you put it last.

 

According to most of the other threads about the 4.6 130k is just getting broke in. Several have reported up to 300k and still running strong. If the 4.6 has a weakness it is the low end torque. When it gets into the higher RPM's it can surprise you. It does however like everything working correctly. I just tuned mine up and it's running like a scalded dog. Haven't changed the fuel filter but the plugs and wires did the trick. Did you reset the computer by disconnecting the neg wire? Larger tires could also hurt your power. Good luck.


Jim

 

Didn't think I had to reset the computer. Do I need to. Why and when do you do this. I know it was not reset after the tune up.
Mike

 

The computer collects tons of data on your driving style, and uses that data to adjust the engine and trans to best meet your driving style.

If you reset it, it will learn your driving style. You will need to idle it for 10 minutes after you start it the first time.

 

I am assuming that when you cleaned the MAF you also took off that plastic duct and cleaned out the throttle body??? And if you did clean it out you should off reset the computer also.


-Brian