You could pull the fuel filter off and see if it is dirty. Lightly tap the input side of the filter nipple on a solid surface and see if anything comes out.

No idea what he was talking about there. I think we're both in the dark there...

 

I've never heard of a cold start valve, either.

Your problem could be fuel pressure. The only way to rule it out is to get a fuel pressure gauge and test it. They're about $30, but it's better than guessing at the problem.

Second most likely would be the TPS. You can test it with a voltmeter by backprobing the connector on the throttle body. I believe it should be between .95V and 4.5V at both ends with no bumps in between.

 

My mistake.Ford does not use a cold start valve,like many other vehicles do.

 

I'm with andy here. Check the fuel pressure and if it fluctuates or isn't around 40ish while idling, and at least 35-37 when you give it some throttle, then replace the fuel filter or clean the existing one out. The TPS is a good possibility also.

 

thanks for all the input guys, turns out the fuel pressure was bad. replaced it and the fuel filter along with a relay and (knock on wood) today it was running smoothly. thanks again for taking the time to post on this topic.

 

You replaced the fuel pressure regulator? All you said was you replaced the fuel pressure haha. Glad ya got er goin!

 

I missed the opportunity here, to point out, it won't matter if your fuel filter was replaced yesterday before you tanked up and helped a fuel retailer clean out their tanks. I recently put a fuel pump on my truck because of poor response to vacuum (brand new FPR). When I got it out, yeah, I could see why it might be having some problems. What used to be a white fuel pump is now brown, along with the strainer being totally covered in rust. I just knew I needed a new tank too. Looked in the tank, and it was shiny as a new dime, and what little fuel was in it was crystal clear. Absolutlely no indication that the rust came from within. I still have the pump and strainer, and it doesn't look nearly as bad dried out, but I'll take some photos and post 'em in the gallery this weekend if I can remember. I may even soak it with fuel again for the dramatics.

Also be advised, that most fuel filters are designed to bypass or will simply collapse under extreme pressure. While this will probably still make the vehicle run like poo, it will continue to run, thus not stranding you in 80 mph traffic on the interstate. So, where's the crud gonna go that made the filter bypass? You guessed it, right into the injectors. The injectors also have some really cute tiny little strainers in them which will be holding any and all debris that the goomba's at Express Oil Change managed to get into the end of your fuel line while changing the filter. Get enough trash in there, the flow will be obstructed, and you'll have poor driveability, as I'm currently experiencing. I just need a long weekend to pull the plenum off again and do a REAL clean up on the injectors.

Looks like we're on our own for monitoring what goes in our fuel tanks. I think at the exhorbitant prices we're paying for fuel now, federal mandates should dictate a transparent section in the pump hoses so the buyer can see what kind of slop he's pumping out of the seller's tanks.