5.4 man 6spd hesitates sometimes under light throttle around 1500rpm.
replaced fuel filter and am half way thru tank of gas with 2 cans of sea foam in it, but so far no real improvement. truck has 82k on it (I'm orig. owner) stock except for k&n air filter, dual tail pipes (y pipe where muffler used to be) and no cat -- open exhaust. cut cat off to free up breathing and it ran great then about a month later started this intermittent hesitating crap.. thought it was another coil pack/s plug going down (have had that twice over the last 14 yrs) but that's always been a constant symptom when they go down. changed fuel filter, nothing. thought cloggy injector, thus sea foam, but so far nothing. wondering if fuel pump fixing to die? had original plugs replaced around 60k. were supposed to be "100k" plugs, but found that hard to believe. regular service every 5k, but that's only about 3x per yr. don't want to throw $$$ I don't have at mystery prob, but don't want to have it up and die on me either..any thoughts guys?
thx

 

Have you cleaned the throttle body? Whenever my 02 5.4, 6 spd starts to "act up" I give it a good shot of throttle body cleaner (CRC makes it) and everything is fine again.

 

If you're suspecting the fuel pump....have the fuel pressure tested.

Yes the cleaning of the throttle body couldn't hurt ...but there is 2 EGR ports on the inside just down stream from the throttle body that no can-O -wonder will get to. You'll have to remove the whole upper housing. Even if a can of cleaner did or could reach back there you might dislodge a pretty good size of carbon build up and run it through the engine, which could cause more harm then good. It's better to have it fall off on the bench then to get stuck under a valve or something. my 2 cents anyway.
Also...check those vacuum lines

 

yep thanks.. took it in and had it put on a real scanner.. #4 coil was misfiring.. turns out the boot seal was leaking and there was 3" or so of standing water in that plug hole.. new coil and plug and all was good.
on a sadder note, the next weekend (3 days ago from posting date) a woman in her son's durango "failed to yield" and spun me into (and through) a utility pole and fire hydrant. truck is probably totaled, but waiting on repair shop and insurance for final word.
*moment of silence for the fallen*

 

Sounds like the damage will likely buff right out. ;-)

 

^^^ Must be an insurance company appraiser?

 

oh yeh, nothin' a little hammer and dolly work and rustoleum won't fix. little duct tape... be good as new..