My 92, 302 cu in, F150 XLT has new plugs, wires, cap and rotor, a new clean air filter, but still is sluggish on acceleration.

I do notice the engine will hesitate when accelerating. Sort of like engine stutter.

I remember taking it to a garage way back when the mechanic suggested I decarborizing the intake manifold and replace the throttle position sensor. Afterwards, the truck was considerably quicker on acceleration and a lot more power.

So what do you think? I haven't had too many types of problems, but this seems to be a recurring problem every 100,000 miles.

Is decarborizing the intake manifold a helpful procedure? Replacing the throttle position sensor when it is damaged is always a good idea.

Larry

 

Start by checking the codes. Removing carbon from the intake won't do anything for performance.

 

Wow, taken in again. This mechanic told me this story 15 years ago and I thought he knew what he was talking about. I will take the codes again.

Can engine hesitation be caused by a defective throttle position sensor?

Larry

 

A bad TPS could cause a hesitation

 

I'll take the codes and see what comes up.

Thanks, Lead Head.

Larry

 

Lead Head, does my truck have a mass air sensor??
My guess is no, but I'm not sure.

Larry

 

A 92 will not have a mass air flow sensor

 

Maybe be I misunderstood what he said and it was the throttle valve that needed decarbonizing. That would make mores sense since I have been researching
this topic.

Larry

 

Great, so I think I have narrowed it down to two options:

1: Replacing the TPS or
2: Cleaning and decarbonizing the throttle valve.

Tomorrow I will try to get any new codes from my code reader if I can find someone to start the engine for me, but I think I have narrowed it down, I hope

Larry

 

I cleaned the throttle body on my '95 F150 and replaced the TPS not long ago. I was also having a hesitation/rough idle issue. Ended up being the O2 sensor but cleaning the throttle body wasn't a big job and certainly didn't hurt anything.

 

Thanks for your input. Did it cause problems being stuck in 2nd gear for a while? These are all cheap enough solutions to do.

Larry

 

Cleaning the throttle body can help some issues, but use care and don't use aggressive solvents or abrasives.

 

Nah. It just idled rough and wouldn't run faster than 20-30mph. I could reset the computer and it would idle fine as long as I didn't touch the accelerator. Soon as I gave it some gas it'd start sputtering and try to die and wouldn't idle right until I reset the computer. That's what made me think it was the TPS. Turned out it was a bad O2 sensor sending bad information to the computer. Before I gave it gas, the computer would run on default parameters.


I used the throttle body cleaner they sell at auto parts stores. Protip: A baby bottle brush is perfect for scrubbing the TB.

 

I bought some CRC Throttle Body and Air intake Cleaner. I plan on using nothing but that and a nylon tooth brush.

Larry

 

I watched some youtube videos on how to correctly test the TPS using a volt/ohm meter so I will test the TPS and it's easy to do.

I have never touched the engine computer. I'll have to research how to reset the computer and if it is advisable.

Thanks,
Larry