I was just driving home and truck "bucked" about 5-6 times at low rpms.. I also heard a weird "grind" kinda noise for a split second..

is that gas? or maybe electric? help!!

 

Did it happen on a shift? If it did, it could be a trans shudder. If not, I'm not sure what it could be. It could've been wheel hop, too. Were you on the gas on uneven pavement at the time?,,,98

 

nah I have an auto, it was at low rpms going up a hill...


strange deal.. I'm afraid to drive it now

 

The trans shudder is on autos, can happen nearly any time, but most likely on a shift. You can try doing a full recirculatory flush on the trans, it helped mine. I did two within a relatively short time, and mine hasn't done that for quite a while now. The first time it happens, it will scare the hell out of you, huh?,,,,98

 

yeah i don't think it's the trans.. this happens whenever.. not during shifts nessesarily..

Spoke with the dealership who guessed it may be bad spark plug wires

 

I had a misfire on cyl#3 on my 98 4.6L and dealer put new spark plug wire and new plug in it. Went away.

It started as a slight hesitation once in a while, especially on the hwy (your symptoms may differ), gradually got worse.

Dealer ripped me off though. Bastard.

Did it set a code in the computer (check engine light)? If so get yourself a code reader as it will tell you the exact cylinder having the misfire, then just replace the wire and plug. Could be a coil pack too if it's 97-98.

Could be tranny too. If you have more than 50k miles since last tranny oil/filter change do so now. Check www.f150world.com for instructions or my own website http://members.shaw.ca/pferlow/transmission_oil.htm

Good luck.

 

my truck symptom exactly...

I just got off the phone with the dealship, they said same thing.. (bad plug wires)

any recomendations how to NOT get ripped off when going to dealership?maybe mention I have a hunch what the problem is already?

 

Get yourself a code reader. It will tell you exactly which cylinder it is that is misfiring.

Here's the one that is software/hardware and works with any windows PC (this is the one I'm going to buy next time I have a problem): http://www.obd-2.com/

Even the hand-held ones are under $150 now. Trust me... ask the dealer how much it costs to do a computer check. Usually that alone covers the cost of the scanner. Any labour and parts will shoot up the bill. Like I said, I paid $330cdn for a computer diagnostic, 1 plug, 1 plug wire. Really... that's a joke in my opinion.

My "check engine" light came on once in a while and turned off sometimes to come on again later.

Whatever code reader you get make sure it will show you detailed info. Not just misfire.

If in doubt just go ahead and do the plugs & wires. I haven't done mine yet. Have 84,000kms. I bought some Autolite Platinum Pro plugs (APP764) and believe they are the best compromise. They are a "double platinum" plug where the centre electrode is platinum (much wider than the Bosch needle type tip) and a round piece of platinum is embedded in the outer electrode. 5yr unlimited mileage guarantee it says. I think the Bosch +2 or +4 plugs, although gapless, with 2 or 4 electrodes have too much in the way of the flamefront for good ignition/high speed performance. Just my 2 cents though. The Autolites were $8.26cdn each or $66.08cdn total. As far as wires go, I'm still searching for a Hi-Performance replacement. So far there's really only Bosch for an OE type 8mm set, I think for just over $100 bucks canadian, the Accel "Super-stock" wires are easily double that cost. For that kind of money I want a premium wire, not "stock". I've heard some dealers charging upwards of $500 for plug/wire change on the 97-98's. They can kiss my you-know-what. Anyway, like I said, I'm still searching for a taylor-fit aftermarket wire and I'm open to suggestions. Anyone know if the aftermarket Mustang 4.6 wires fit these modular motors? Do they use twin coil packs as well?

I think the Ford OE plugs are single platinum autolites.

http://www.autolite.com/framer.cgi?p...ts/platpro.htm

With your running conditions getting worse, line up the parts you need (plugs, wires). Sooner or later that engine light will come on again... it's bound to.

Either way the dealership can't tell you exactly what's wrong until they hook it up to their computer analyser. Now... you can get an independent shop to do the same too, apparently Ford has a more detailed analysis than a standard obd-2 scan tool. If you don't want to get the tool then simply get a scan done soon as your check engine light comes back on (even if it turns off afterwards @ a cold start) a code will be set. Get a print out of the results... might cost you $100 bucks, then fix it yourself.

I forgot to mention that I reset my computer to try to "fix" the misfire I had. No luck. Light came on again.

 

I agree with everyone else. It does sound like plug wires to me. Try popping your hood at night and take the underhood bulb out and watch the wires. You may be surprized to find little blue arcs jumping all over the place. When my 4.6 recently did this I actually had a plug wire jumping an arc to the upper radiator hose and bracket. You can purchase Motorcraft wires aftermaket for less than $100, autolites wire will be around 80, Xact's around 55-60, or my choise Accel's for $75 from Jeg's.

 

start with the basics. did you get a bad tankof gas? from your symptoms, id say the engine isnt burning all the fuel, so its most likely either bad plug wires, or bad spark plugs. just od a tune up on the engine, good luck.

 

it was in need of a tune up lol

had plugs, wires fuel filter replaced... it runs fine now

unfortunatly I had to haggle and argue with the dealership to get my price dropped..

they origionally handed me a bill for 370 bucks.. this pissed me off cause I chose this dealship over the one I bought my truck from becuase they were always reasonably priced..

I told them there was no way a tune up should cost that much considering 1) no air filter was needed to be replaced or cleaned 2) no oil change

they eventually dropped the price *some*..

I was pretty pissed I had to haggle with them and caught them tryin to rip me off..

 

It seem dealers charge whatever they want to for tuneups now. Mine was $346 for plugs and wires!!,,,,98