This is my first time on the forum and posting a thread here. I have a 98 f150 4.6 V8 and as of late, when i gently press the gas pedal, at times, the truck feels like it wants to choke; especially when driving up hills. Once i step on the pedal for full acceleration, it goes good then a few minutes later it does it again.

Today, it did it every couple of minutes each time even when i wasn't going up hill. When i would accelerate higher, it still felt like it was choking - kinda felt like if i was driving on a heavy gravel road. Soon after, my check engine light came on. That was the first time it has ever come on.

The most recent work done on my truck was to have the spark plugs changed out, the fuel filter changed, i changed out the air filter and gave it some fuel injector cleaner. This was done about 4-5 months ago and ironically that's when i noticed the problem little by little. I have no idea what to look for when my check engine light came on. My truck has 90k miles on it and have never had any major problems with it other than the shift gear getting stuck in park every now and then - but i know the reason for that. Any idea guys? thanks

 

Have the code pulled at AZone and post the number so we can help you. Don't buy anything from AZone until you post the number. Also don't start a new thread when you get the number, just post it here.

 

Ok. here is the code i got from two different locations:
P0303 Cylinder 3 Misfire detected.

Not sure what this means, but was told it had something to do with my spark plugs. I recently had my spark plugs changed out early this year.

thanks.

 

its a 98 so you have plug wires.you have 90k on it right?? did you change the wires when you did the plugs??

 

Also, what brand of spark plugs were put in?

 

I didn't change the wires when my father in-law changed the sparkplugs. He also doesn't recall the brand name - it's been at least 4-5 months since the sparkplugs have been changed.

We looked at cylinder 3 and the wire looks good. There is no moisture of anykind under there. I disconnected the battery to reset the CHECK ENGINE light. As of yet, the light hasn't come on BUT...the truck is still stutering off and on when i reach 35mph+

We're going to try to switch out the sparkplug on cylnder 3 with another one from cylnder 2 or 1 this weekend and see if it still stutters or triggers the Engine Light. Is there anything else that we need to look at or do while were doing this? All suggestions are greatly appreciated and thanks to all for taking the time to reply to my post.

 

well at 90k and if those are the original wires... worn wires can cause problems like that. had the same symptoms on my crown vic, new plugs and wires took care of it. should always change plugs and wires together.

 

if your acceleration is loose you better tighten it!

 

check this topic this is probably what your problem is is sound like the same problem every one else has in this link and they all come back to replacing the coil packs and that fixes there hesitation issues. this Bluegrass guy really knows his stuff
https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=284876

 

Well, i changed out the wires for it. So far, no problems yet. I'll update this in a couple of weeks if its still running good or sooner if the problems persists. Thank you all for your time and suggestions.

 

Well, my father-in law switch around the wire from cylinder 3 with cylinder 7 and after a couple of days the truck was hesitating very badly...worse than before. The moment i began to accelerate, the truck hesitates. When i go above 40mph, the truck shakes very bad - like if i'm driving on a rocky road. The engine light came on and got the following code: P0307 CYLINDER 7 MISFIRE DETECTED.

So, we believe the problem is definately with the wires and Advance Auto Parts carries the AUTOLITE brand for $72.96. The sales guys said this brand isn't specific for Ford, it's more of a "universal" type that can go on just about any make/model vehicle. I didn't really want something like that and prefer to something designed for Ford. What wires do you all recommend that are top quality for my 98 Ford-150 4.6L v8? The wires i need are the one that have the long boot to them.

Thanks

 

Sounds like youve tracked it down pretty good. I know i had a problem with wires on my mustang once, But i found out while checking the wires under the hood while the car was running cause i thought maybe they were too close or something. Found a pinhole in one from where the steel braid on a line must have poked a little hole. Thats all it took. And i have to say, MSD coils give you a slight tingly feeling lol.

 

1. I asked you a couple weeks ago what brand spark plugs you put in........

2. I'd put OEM Motorcraft wires on it unless you want to spend 100 bucks for something like Accel wires.

 

Sorry GLC, i failed to check the brand name of the spark plugs when we switched around the wires - i'll make a note to check the brand when i replace the wires. So OEM Motorcraft are one that you would recommend? What's the difference with these and the ACCEL ones you mentioned? If it's about a hundred bucks and the ones from Advance Auto Parts were gonna cost me $72.96, it may be worth it if you think they are better quality. i dunno.

thanks

pay for quality, cry once -

 

The Accel wires are high performance wires.

Note that Autolite is *NOT* the same thing as Motorcraft.

The recommended plugs are OEM Motorcraft Platinums.