HELP ! '01 Expy missing under load
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Brighton, Colorado
HELP ! '01 Expy missing under load
I am new to this forum and I hope to get some good inputs to my questions. You folks seem to know your stuff..........
I have a '01 Expy with the 5.4L motor, automatic w/ 60k miles. Everything in it is original. Just recently on a long trip it started missing when in overdrive under a slight load (going up hills/grades). When it down shifts, it seems to run just fine. At first I thought it was bad gas but after several tanks I have ruled that out. (OBTW, we were at higher altitudes, Denver.) I am running the prescribed >87 octane. I have replaced the air filter (helped a bit) and before I do spark plugs....etc........I wanted to get some input from you folks of lessons learned. As with many of you, I don't trust the dealer as far as I can throw them.
Some other symptons. When taking off from a red light, after pulling off the interstate, it almost died completely (just off idle). And while driving hard up a steep grade, the motor quit just for an instant making the whole vehicle violently buck. (Not good)
I have read some threads on this forum about similar problems with culprits identified to be things like coil packs, spark plugs.... One thing that bothers me about this problem is that the check engine light hasn't come on. I went to Checker's yesterday and they said that their diagnostic (OBD2) tool wouldn't pick up the miss (i.e. read an error code.) That sounded funny to me. How can I determine which coil pack it is (other than doing the swap with a known good one)?
Thanks in advance for your help,
DesertRat1
Tucson, AZ
I have a '01 Expy with the 5.4L motor, automatic w/ 60k miles. Everything in it is original. Just recently on a long trip it started missing when in overdrive under a slight load (going up hills/grades). When it down shifts, it seems to run just fine. At first I thought it was bad gas but after several tanks I have ruled that out. (OBTW, we were at higher altitudes, Denver.) I am running the prescribed >87 octane. I have replaced the air filter (helped a bit) and before I do spark plugs....etc........I wanted to get some input from you folks of lessons learned. As with many of you, I don't trust the dealer as far as I can throw them.
Some other symptons. When taking off from a red light, after pulling off the interstate, it almost died completely (just off idle). And while driving hard up a steep grade, the motor quit just for an instant making the whole vehicle violently buck. (Not good)
I have read some threads on this forum about similar problems with culprits identified to be things like coil packs, spark plugs.... One thing that bothers me about this problem is that the check engine light hasn't come on. I went to Checker's yesterday and they said that their diagnostic (OBD2) tool wouldn't pick up the miss (i.e. read an error code.) That sounded funny to me. How can I determine which coil pack it is (other than doing the swap with a known good one)?
Thanks in advance for your help,
DesertRat1
Tucson, AZ
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,960
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From: All over Texas
Hey DesertRat1....welcome.
There could be many culprits causing the miss. Here are a few of the more common probs:
1. Dirty Fuel Filter
2. Bad Coil Pack(s)
3. Bad Plugs --- Probably not at 60K miles
4. Vacuum Leak --- Check your PCV valve (right side valve cover) and the hoses running from it.
5. Dirty MAF Sensor
If it were my Expy, I'd change the fuel filter, clean the MAF sensor, clean the inside of the TB and check the vacuum hoses to the PCV valve. You might also need a new IAC valve.
Good Luck.
There could be many culprits causing the miss. Here are a few of the more common probs:
1. Dirty Fuel Filter
2. Bad Coil Pack(s)
3. Bad Plugs --- Probably not at 60K miles
4. Vacuum Leak --- Check your PCV valve (right side valve cover) and the hoses running from it.
5. Dirty MAF Sensor
If it were my Expy, I'd change the fuel filter, clean the MAF sensor, clean the inside of the TB and check the vacuum hoses to the PCV valve. You might also need a new IAC valve.
Good Luck.
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From: Brighton, Colorado
Where is the MAF?
I looked inside my intake tube and there are two sensors I can see. One is close to the filter and looks like a light bulb filament. I am assuming this is the intake air temp sensor. Right? The other one looks like a small light bulb/Q-tip and is about 10" futher in. I am assuming that this is the MAF. Right? Can I clean it with a Q-Tip and rubbing alchohol?
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Kansas
Originally Posted by mapman
what is a iac valve
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,960
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From: All over Texas
Originally Posted by DesertRat1
I looked inside my intake tube and there are two sensors I can see. One is close to the filter and looks like a light bulb filament. I am assuming this is the intake air temp sensor. Right? The other one looks like a small light bulb/Q-tip and is about 10" futher in. I am assuming that this is the MAF. Right? Can I clean it with a Q-Tip and rubbing alchohol?
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New User
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Brighton, Colorado
Update
I went to AZone and used there code reader. Since the Check Engine Light hasn't come on, there was no code to read. So, I am down to old fashioned shade tree mechanics trouble shooting.............
I am going to attempt the plug change this weekend. I plan on changing COP #4. Every thread I have read indicates that most of the time that is the culprit. One more question I had was what is the best replacement plug to use? I am NOT using Bosch per everything I have read.
I am going to attempt the plug change this weekend. I plan on changing COP #4. Every thread I have read indicates that most of the time that is the culprit. One more question I had was what is the best replacement plug to use? I am NOT using Bosch per everything I have read.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Long Island, NY
I would go with the Motorcraft OEM's. I used them in my '98 (after 112k miles on the originals 
) without any problems (misses, etc.). The model number for your '01 would be Motorcraft #AGSF22W. If you want, go to motorcraft.com and find your year and it will give you all the available oem plugs.
Good luck..
) without any problems (misses, etc.). The model number for your '01 would be Motorcraft #AGSF22W. If you want, go to motorcraft.com and find your year and it will give you all the available oem plugs.Good luck..
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Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Brighton, Colorado
Final results
Well, it's been a while since I've been on this forum. I ended up replacing all the plugs and the #4 coil. Problem solved. Thanks to everyone for their help.
Recently the truck started missing again. The wife noticed that when she runs certain gas brands it doesn't miss. Evidently the gas at KingSupers is the best.
-DR1
Recently the truck started missing again. The wife noticed that when she runs certain gas brands it doesn't miss. Evidently the gas at KingSupers is the best.
-DR1
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 121
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I would definately change the fuel filter as you are still having missing problems. I have travelled a lot over my 40 years of driving and have never run into "bad" gas but I have had filter problems 2 or 3 X's. Also Ford lists this as a regular maintenance item in its handbook.