My 98 explorer is hiccuping when i am stopped for more than a few seconds and when I press the gas to get going it stutters. It only does this if I am stopped at a light or stop sign for a few minutes. Once I get going again it runs fine. The check engine light is not on and I have replaced the o2 sensors and spark plugs. I am at a loss on what to do next. Any ideas?

 

Any help on this would be very much appreciated!

 

Perform a complete fuel system pressure test ... Philip

 

Did you replace the spark plugs as a result of this sputtering, or did the sputtering happen shortly after the plugs were replaced? Were the spark plug wires also replaced when the plugs were?

-Rod

 

the sputtering started before i replaced the plugs. the wires were not replaced. How do i do a fuel system pressure test?

 

Connect a fuel pressure gauge to the schrader valve on the fuel rail..

Key on and off in 5 seconds (no start), record pressure.
Key on/off 3 times(no start), record pressure,
Check gauge for 5 min (key off), record bleed down (if substantial bleed, check injectors/FPR)
Start engine, record running pressure..at idle, record running pressure..at 2000rpm... Philip

 

I'm not sure how many miles you have on the spark plug wires, but they could very easily be the cause of the sputtering too. They actually would be more suspect than spark plugs. Spark plugs can cause hard starting or a constant misfire, but won't usually be the cause of a random misfire.

-Rod