sputtering engine

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Jul 21, 2016 | 11:15 PM

curtainrod

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sputtering engine

on my 1992 f150 5L i had to go to town and the drive there went normal. i was inside for about 40 minutes and then when i tried driving home i noticed a weird sputtering while idling through a parking lot. its done it in the past but quit after a bit so i ignored it. then i was accelerating up a hill and noticed i had no power and the at low rpm it was missing really bad. mechanic told me to replace the fuel filter, it was over 2 years old since i never thought to, and i did. its still doing it after holding the accelorator down for a minute or two and driving it back and forth where i was parked. tomorrow im going to get a fuel pressure gauge and test it. i know its supposed to read around 35-45 psi, but im worried it may be something worse. i can do a pump easily enough.

what does it sound like to you guys? the mech took for a drive for a few miles and it doesnt miss at cruisng speeds around 50-60 mph. but if going slow up a hill it loses power and speed way to the point i have it floored in 2nd. like trying to go up a hill in a 2nd gen ranger in 4th gear.

Jul 22, 2016 | 12:43 AM

joey2fords

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a fuel pressure test is an excellent idea, as is pulling codes. even if you have no 'check engine light' showing you can still have codes waiting for you.

Jul 22, 2016 | 02:35 AM

Lead Head

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From: Rhode Island

Definitely check the fuel pressure with those symptoms. Another possibility could be the MAP sensor or an ignition problem.

Start by pulling the codes.

Jul 22, 2016 | 10:59 AM

curtainrod

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does it sound like a fatal malfunction? or is it just something fuel/air intake related?

Jul 22, 2016 | 11:11 AM

joey2fords

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Sounds like something that wants proper diagnosing.

Jul 24, 2016 | 10:56 AM

curtainrod

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turned out to be a cracked spark plug. never getting autolites again. they were only about 4 months old with less than 3k miles.

Jul 24, 2016 | 11:01 AM

Lead Head

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From: Rhode Island

So you'll never buy another Autolite because you had one $4 sparkplug crack? So what? Anything mass produced can fail. I've seen sparkplugs from every single brand fail in various ways.

Also, you realize Autolite and Ford Motorcraft sparkplugs are made side-by-side in the same factory, right?