Hesitation and pinging under load on long drive
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From: LA
Hesitation and pinging under load on long drive
144k mile, 95 bronco, 5.0 auto. Fresh plugs, rotor, cap, oil.
I took a 350 mile trip today. Half way through it I noticed slight pinging. Then the engine also lightly stuttered - just slightly, so it almost feels like the road is a bit bumpy. This happened only under load up hill / into the wind at high speed. After a pit stop it would not do it for 5 minutes or so and then it would be back. Also, if there were flat sections in which I was going slower, it would not do it. Seems load / temperature related.
I tried putting more gas in it (medium grade) thinking I got some bum gas. Did not change anything.
I came home and bought the Ford code reader. I ran all the tests, engine off, engine on, cyclinder balance test. All passed flying colors several times.
The truck must be running lean to ping like that. Could it be the O2 sensor (without throwing a code?)
Fuel filter has 25k on it - could it be the problem?
How about the catalytic converter? If it is clogged, would the engine ping?
Please help me out, I need to do another 350 mile trip on monday and I am afraid I may get stranded if this gets worse! I was hoping I'd have some codes and this was going to be easy
Thanks!!!
George
I took a 350 mile trip today. Half way through it I noticed slight pinging. Then the engine also lightly stuttered - just slightly, so it almost feels like the road is a bit bumpy. This happened only under load up hill / into the wind at high speed. After a pit stop it would not do it for 5 minutes or so and then it would be back. Also, if there were flat sections in which I was going slower, it would not do it. Seems load / temperature related.
I tried putting more gas in it (medium grade) thinking I got some bum gas. Did not change anything.
I came home and bought the Ford code reader. I ran all the tests, engine off, engine on, cyclinder balance test. All passed flying colors several times.
The truck must be running lean to ping like that. Could it be the O2 sensor (without throwing a code?)
Fuel filter has 25k on it - could it be the problem?
How about the catalytic converter? If it is clogged, would the engine ping?
Please help me out, I need to do another 350 mile trip on monday and I am afraid I may get stranded if this gets worse! I was hoping I'd have some codes and this was going to be easy
Thanks!!!
George
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From: Longview, TX
Have you checked the timing? It may be just a little too advanced. Some like to advance it until it pings then back off a little (that is me) especially if the timing set has slack. Others like to set it per the sticker under the hood.
On your fresh plugs, many folks around here suggest copper, nothing special. How did the removed plugs color look? Are new ones gapped per hood sticker?
Is it runing hot? How is your cooling system?
Just this week I heard our vehicles might not like the big city gas. A mechanic said oxygenated gas may cause surging, stumbling and possibly stalling.
On your fresh plugs, many folks around here suggest copper, nothing special. How did the removed plugs color look? Are new ones gapped per hood sticker?
Is it runing hot? How is your cooling system?
Just this week I heard our vehicles might not like the big city gas. A mechanic said oxygenated gas may cause surging, stumbling and possibly stalling.
Last edited by b4hntn; Jun 7, 2008 at 05:06 AM. Reason: typo
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From: LA
Plugs are gapped to underhood spec. Copper plugs. All plugs looked normal when removed.
Cooling system works great on a 2 year old radiator and new hoses that I installed.
I went and bought a new O2 sensor today and will install. Also will change the fuel filter. I will report back.
I am on my third fill of gas - premium today. I am sure it is not the gas. Chances of it all being just as crappy are slim, especially because the three samples were 150 miles apart from each other.
The 95 Bronco has fully electronic timing / advance. Nothing should have changed there. Also, if there were something wrong with the distributor / timing, why would it only happen after 5 minutes under load.
Let me know if you have more ideas! Thanks!!!
George
Cooling system works great on a 2 year old radiator and new hoses that I installed.
I went and bought a new O2 sensor today and will install. Also will change the fuel filter. I will report back.
I am on my third fill of gas - premium today. I am sure it is not the gas. Chances of it all being just as crappy are slim, especially because the three samples were 150 miles apart from each other.
The 95 Bronco has fully electronic timing / advance. Nothing should have changed there. Also, if there were something wrong with the distributor / timing, why would it only happen after 5 minutes under load.
Let me know if you have more ideas! Thanks!!!
George
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: sunny fla sometimes windy
Stop don't waste your money on the o2 sensor!! Clean yours first with a propane torch
try 15 seconds and wipe it off you want the openings to be clear and the inside to
be pretty clean and may need to hold in the flame a bit longer. How often do you drive
the truck?
try 15 seconds and wipe it off you want the openings to be clear and the inside to
be pretty clean and may need to hold in the flame a bit longer. How often do you drive
the truck?
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From: LA
I put about 5k miles on the truck over the last couple of months. All long distance. I also drive it in town about 20 miles a day. So, it sees plenty of use.
I put a new fuel filter - same symptoms.
I put a new O2 sensor - same
I put a new PCV valve - same
One thing I had noticed about 6 weeks ago was that my a/c vent would cut out sporadically. I may have a vacuum leak somewhere. But that did not affect the way the car was driving. I am trying to chase down that vacuum leak now but have had no success so far.
I have not played with the cat temperature. I have an IR thermometer. I will let the truck cool down now and then fire it up getting readings ahead and behind the cat. If that's not it, I will have to give up and drive it solely around town until symptoms worsen. For long distance (especially long climbs or mountain passes) it is currently useless.
Any more ideas???
Thanks!
George
I put a new fuel filter - same symptoms.
I put a new O2 sensor - same
I put a new PCV valve - same
One thing I had noticed about 6 weeks ago was that my a/c vent would cut out sporadically. I may have a vacuum leak somewhere. But that did not affect the way the car was driving. I am trying to chase down that vacuum leak now but have had no success so far.
I have not played with the cat temperature. I have an IR thermometer. I will let the truck cool down now and then fire it up getting readings ahead and behind the cat. If that's not it, I will have to give up and drive it solely around town until symptoms worsen. For long distance (especially long climbs or mountain passes) it is currently useless.
Any more ideas???
Thanks!
George
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From: Longview, TX
a/c vent would cut out sporadically
Check the white spagetti size vacuum hose under the hood, passeger side, high in the outside corner. It will run down into electrical harness going into the cab. If no leaks there is also a little check valve to hold the vent doors open when vacuum drops up long hills that may be faulty. Mine was.
Check the white spagetti size vacuum hose under the hood, passeger side, high in the outside corner. It will run down into electrical harness going into the cab. If no leaks there is also a little check valve to hold the vent doors open when vacuum drops up long hills that may be faulty. Mine was.
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More Turbo
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I had a 94 F-150 that had the same problem with hesitation and stutter going up hills and overpasses on the freeway. Found out the torque converter was going out. They called it torque converter shutter, the 5 minute wait allows the T/C to cool down and then when it heats back up it will shutter again. I don't think this has anything to do with your pinging though. Timing would be my guess.
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From: Mojave Desert, CA
Had a similar problem with my '85 5.8 HO. Float bowls on the Holly carb were loose becuase the cork gaskets shrank. So even with fuel injection, make sure everything on the intake side is snug.
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From: Ontario
Have you recently changed or moved spark plug wires?
The 5.0 litre engine had a little problem that could rear its ugly head without warning if your spark plug wires are old or #7 and #8 wires are too close together (they must be separated at least 2 inches from each other) the firing order is 7 then 8 if the wires are worn out or too close together 7 wire will fire 8 or vise a versa or both ways.
I had this problem on a 1990 f150 I owned nearly went mad trying to figure it out, I believe ford even has a technical service bulletin out about it.
So before you go spending large gobs of money separate the 7 and 8 wires a few inches and see if that works if not your ignition module might be headed for the crapper.
GL and let us know what you find.
Rick.
I had this problem on a 1990 f150 I owned nearly went mad trying to figure it out, I believe ford even has a technical service bulletin out about it.
So before you go spending large gobs of money separate the 7 and 8 wires a few inches and see if that works if not your ignition module might be headed for the crapper.
GL and let us know what you find.
Rick.
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Elder User
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From: LA
a/c vent would cut out sporadically
Check the white spagetti size vacuum hose under the hood, passeger side, high in the outside corner. It will run down into electrical harness going into the cab. If no leaks there is also a little check valve to hold the vent doors open when vacuum drops up long hills that may be faulty. Mine was.
Check the white spagetti size vacuum hose under the hood, passeger side, high in the outside corner. It will run down into electrical harness going into the cab. If no leaks there is also a little check valve to hold the vent doors open when vacuum drops up long hills that may be faulty. Mine was.
Thanks for the tip.
George
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Elder User
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From: LA
Thanks!
George
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Elder User
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From: LA
I had a 94 F-150 that had the same problem with hesitation and stutter going up hills and overpasses on the freeway. Found out the torque converter was going out. They called it torque converter shutter, the 5 minute wait allows the T/C to cool down and then when it heats back up it will shutter again. I don't think this has anything to do with your pinging though. Timing would be my guess.
I do not think timing is adjustable on my 95. It is done by the ECU.
Thanks!
George
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 543
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From: LA
The 5.0 litre engine had a little problem that could rear its ugly head without warning if your spark plug wires are old or #7 and #8 wires are too close together (they must be separated at least 2 inches from each other) the firing order is 7 then 8 if the wires are worn out or too close together 7 wire will fire 8 or vise a versa or both ways.
I had this problem on a 1990 f150 I owned nearly went mad trying to figure it out, I believe ford even has a technical service bulletin out about it.
So before you go spending large gobs of money separate the 7 and 8 wires a few inches and see if that works if not your ignition module might be headed for the crapper.
GL and let us know what you find.
Rick.
I had this problem on a 1990 f150 I owned nearly went mad trying to figure it out, I believe ford even has a technical service bulletin out about it.
So before you go spending large gobs of money separate the 7 and 8 wires a few inches and see if that works if not your ignition module might be headed for the crapper.
GL and let us know what you find.
Rick.
This is a great lead. I checked and my wires are TIED together. I will get a new set of wires (the other ones are almost 3 years old - never hurts) and then install them separated as much as I can. Let's hope this is it - and not that nasty T/C shudder described above!
Thanks!
George