I have a 1997 F 150 4x4 with a 4.6 motor.The check engine light has been on for about 30,000 miles and now has 90,000.I have took it to two different places to put it on the computer and neither place has been able to find the problem.It runs really rough at first and then clears up.Sometimes I stomp on the accelerator to get some response.I pull a trailer every day and it is getting considerably worse.The only thing I have done to the truck is to change the oil.By the way My truck also has squeky front end,leaking back window,and cracked doors.PLEASE HELP!!!

 

Welcome as a new member!! Judd10, You write >>now has 90,000<<

Mabe it is time for a major tune up ...Like cap, rotor,plug wires, spark plugs etc..
Nothing lasts for ever you know. give the beast a fighting chance... Clean the carb,injectors (whatever applies).




__JOHN__Õ¿ö
Member-
"Crusin North" Car Club
Santa Rosa, Calif.
72 F-250
ICQ#6030753
https://www.ford-trucks.com/pictorial/big/1972_f250_2.html

 

I ran into the same problem. I was pulling a trailer, and all of the sudden, I felt like I had no power. My check engine light cam on, and has been on ever since. I took the truck to a couple of shop and they couldn't find the problem... Then, I took it to a friend of mine, Mechanic of course, and we found that a hose was dripping condensation on one of the plugs. Problem solved right??? In this case, yeah. After I had replaced wires, plugs, fuel filters, and cleaned the injectors. Oh well, truck needed a tune up.

1997 F150 Super Cab
4.6L V8-----Stock
174,000 and rising
Maroon and tan

 

So are you telling me to rule out the O2 sensor.I'm planning on giving the truck a complete tune up,including buying a superchip. But I don't want to do all of the work for nothing.

 

Since you are not triggering a code in the computer it could be a number of things (including the O2 sensor). Without looking at the book I want to say that there is preheater in the exhaust system that also can "act up" but usally it triggers the codes. Those things fail around 30-50K miles. Since you do not have a code you may have to do it the hard way and start replacing possible items until you find it. Not a great solution but cheaper then having a dealer do it. I assume that you have the individual ignition coils over each plug and do not have miles of plug wires.

98 F250LD 4X4