Let me say first that I am a carpenter and know jack about vehicles. Please forgive my ignorance.

'03 F-150 purchased new, 6 cylinder manual 2wd completely stripped model, has 23K miles currently. About one week left on the warranty.

In the past few weeks I have noticed that it cranks longer before starting, maybe up to 1 second. This seems more likely after the truck has been driven and then parked for a short period (30-60 minutes?).

Also, I have noticed it bogging down slightly when accelerated. Testing in the driveway I find that it accelerates fine to full rev when the pedal is pressed slowly, but if I stomp on it it bogs slightly before winding up. I do not drive with a lead foot, but I noticed this while passing someone.

So, a new problem, a few minutes left on the warranty, and it's a long way to the dealer. Curious to know if this sounds familiar to anyone?

There's some other background I can add to this, but I'd like to see what ideas come up initially.

 

pull the vacuum line off the fuel pressure regulator, only vacuum line that gos to the fuel rail. If any fuel is present or comes out it is bad and can give you similar symtoms

 

I'd suspect a restricted fuel filter or a weak fuel pump.

The filter is a maintenance item anyway.

A fuel pressure guage would tell you for certain, but I'd swap the filter anyway if it hasn't been done recently.

Steve

 

fuel filters can go ten years on one vehicle and tem minutes on another. Depends on how much material is formed in or entered in the tank and rail. warrenty won't cover it. A fuel pressure gauge can tell it all but I would just make the Dealer fix it or deny a fault but get it in writing that you had an issue, may help if gets worse soon

 

Is the fuel filter an easy swap or should this be done by someone who knows what's up? There's a NAPA auto parts in town, that's about it within 3 hours.

 

On my 2001 f-150 screw its mounted along the frame on the drivers side about in the middle. Make sure you get the special tool to remove the connectors. You can get a double ended one (handles 2 sizes) over at Auto Zone for about $6. One of these forums a guy went into great detail bout changing this out. He had pictures posted and all. After I saw that I decided I wouldn't need to buy a repair manual after all!
-M.C.