Dealership diagnostics
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Senior User
Joined: May 2004
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From: B'ville, WV
Dealership diagnostics
Hey, everybody. I was thinking about taking my truck to a local dealer and having them hook my truck up. I'm not getting a check engine light or anything and it is starting fine and all. I'm just sick of the hesitation and stuttering during acceleration. My question is, being no CEL, will they be able to tell me anything about the way my truck is running that I don't already know. I'm taking it in to have the front end componets checked out anyway. Is it worth the $70 or am I just peein' into the wind?
Rich
2000 Rcab 4.2 5sp 2WD
106,000+ miles and counting
Rich
2000 Rcab 4.2 5sp 2WD
106,000+ miles and counting
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 3
From: NE Texas
When was the last time you changed the fuel filter? If this is not the problem and you do decide to go to the dealer, don't tell them to check for trouble codes. Tell them your problem. Will the problem repeat itself for them when they drive it?
Good luck,
Doc
Good luck,
Doc
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Senior User
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From: B'ville, WV
The fuel filter has been changed within the last 8-9 months. July, I believe it was. I changed plugs,wires(both OEM), cleaned MAF( a week after cleaning and re-oiling K&N air filter) around the same time frame. Still, the hesitation. I have tried a couple of bottles of the Valvoline complete fuel system cleaner as well. No change. It will hesitate up until 2000-2500RPM and level off. Power seems to have decreased as well.
Yes, it will do it for them. It had better. It has to me everyday for probably the last 15-20,000 miles.
Thanks,
Rich
Yes, it will do it for them. It had better. It has to me everyday for probably the last 15-20,000 miles.
Thanks,
Rich
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
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From: BC, Canada
If they have a good driveability tech he can hook up their WDS scan tool and monitor cylinder power balance, all the sensors etc and see if everything looks in range. Sometimes problems like this are easy to pinpoint, sometimes they aren't but hopefully they have the tools and experience to figure it out.
If you can go for a drive with the tech that will be working on it to show him exactly what it's doing that is the best. Quite often techs will have a good idea what the problem is just from driving it with you, or at least a good idea of where to start.
If you can go for a drive with the tech that will be working on it to show him exactly what it's doing that is the best. Quite often techs will have a good idea what the problem is just from driving it with you, or at least a good idea of where to start.
New User
Joined: Oct 2004
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You may have a thin film of oil on your MAF wires. This is relatively common after re-oiling the air filter. With the engine off and cool, take the air cleaner off and spray the MAF wires with a cleaner (throttle body cleaner). DO NOT TOUCH the MAF wires, and don't do this while they are hot (after driving). It's an easy enough thing to try (cheap too) before taking it in. This may solve the problem.
Tim
2001 Expedition
Tim
2001 Expedition
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From: B'ville, WV
Thanks everybody.
Tim, MAF was cleaned about a week after re-oiling the K&N. I take the sensor all the way out and let the wires soak in CRC electronincs cleaner for a few minutes. Then I give it a good rinse with the same cleaner, let it dry and put it all back together. I have cleaned the MAF both times I have cleaned/re-oiled the K&N. It's been in there about 50,000 miles or so. It did nothing to improve hesitation.
Racerguy, unless I'm mistaken, the service advisor I spoke with yesterday to make my appointment for tomorrow A.M., told me they don't use WDS. He said they use SB?? or something like that. Isn't there one that can be hooked up and monitored while driving?
Rich
Tim, MAF was cleaned about a week after re-oiling the K&N. I take the sensor all the way out and let the wires soak in CRC electronincs cleaner for a few minutes. Then I give it a good rinse with the same cleaner, let it dry and put it all back together. I have cleaned the MAF both times I have cleaned/re-oiled the K&N. It's been in there about 50,000 miles or so. It did nothing to improve hesitation.
Racerguy, unless I'm mistaken, the service advisor I spoke with yesterday to make my appointment for tomorrow A.M., told me they don't use WDS. He said they use SB?? or something like that. Isn't there one that can be hooked up and monitored while driving?
Rich
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
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From: BC, Canada
If they have a working SBDS with upgrades it does the same thing as WDS. They can also use their NGS scan tool but it doesn't do cylinder power balance.
WDS is what I use top watch sensors etc on the road. NGS can also be used for that but it's a bit harder to see...for me anyway.
SBDS can be used to make recordings while driving but to me it's not as convenient either.
WDS is what I use top watch sensors etc on the road. NGS can also be used for that but it's a bit harder to see...for me anyway.
SBDS can be used to make recordings while driving but to me it's not as convenient either.
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Senior User
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From: B'ville, WV
He did say they could monitor power balance. I asked about that specifically.
SBDS..That's what he said. I'm not sure about the upgrade part. That can be used while driving? Oh and is it possible for a person to receive a printout of recorded info? I'm going to do my own repairs. I don't have any trouble or problem with changing parts. Diagnosis is where I'm screwed.. Obviously.
SBDS..That's what he said. I'm not sure about the upgrade part. That can be used while driving? Oh and is it possible for a person to receive a printout of recorded info? I'm going to do my own repairs. I don't have any trouble or problem with changing parts. Diagnosis is where I'm screwed.. Obviously.
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: BC, Canada
Yes SBDS can be used to monitor power balance. It's been a long time since I've used SBDS. Ford stopped supporting it quite a few years ago and most dealers don't have a working one anymore. It was a great tool though. There is a company that fixes and upgrades them so they work on newer vehicles. I think you can only make recordings while you drive and then upload it to the main SBDS unit and see what you have. Like I said...it's been a long time.
SBDS and WDS both have printers but unless you know how to interpret the readings you're seeing you're probably going to have to rely on what the tech says needs to be done to fix the problem.
SBDS and WDS both have printers but unless you know how to interpret the readings you're seeing you're probably going to have to rely on what the tech says needs to be done to fix the problem.
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Senior User
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From: B'ville, WV
I was just reading about that. ERSolutions is the name of the company. I believe it is owned by the guy that created the original SBDS. The upgraded version is SBDS Redline. Should I seek one that has WDS? I can call about a half dozen more dealerships that are in the immediate area.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
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From: BC, Canada
Every dealer should have a working WDS. The service advisor maybe just didn't know exactly what he was talking about. I wonder if they would let you talk to the tech that will be working on it to find out what he will do?
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Senior User
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From: B'ville, WV
I'm going to try to ride with him if I can. I don't know why not, being that it is my truck and all.
I'm checking with other dealerships right now to see wht they have and when I can get in.
Thanks for all of your help, Dave and everybody else.
Rich
I'm checking with other dealerships right now to see wht they have and when I can get in.
Thanks for all of your help, Dave and everybody else.
Rich
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2004
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From: B'ville, WV
Originally Posted by Racerguy
Every dealer should have a working WDS. The service advisor maybe just didn't know exactly what he was talking about. I wonder if they would let you talk to the tech that will be working on it to find out what he will do?
Maybe the father-in-law is correct. I'm a vehicular hypochondriac.
Dave, one question, (if you see this) being that you are a tech. Is there a common place to look for a vac leak on these 2000 4.2 engines? I do have the symptom of the HVAC switching itself to the defrost position under hard acceleration.
Thanks very much,
Rich