99 5.0L 'lurching' on acceleration

[rscamaro73]

OK....dealing with the 99 Xploder.....5.0L....was driving down to MD from PA.....and after a while I went to accelerate and got some bucking and lurching from the truck. I back off and its good.....nice, easy on the pedal and I'm at speed....slow down due to traffic, and hit the gas again, and it does the same thing again. So like, I'm digging around and thinking WTF.....and come up with things like - clogged cats(2), effed up injectors, FPR, clogged filter or fuel pump sock (tank had some varnish I wiped out).

But anyways....fuel gauge was showing 1/4 tank left....so I limped to the closest gas station....filled the tank (took 14 gal) and my problems went away. But on the way BACK the next day....I tried to accelerate from a toll booth and got the same thing, although it seemed like I just wasn't getting enough fuel, but it was still speeding up, and not bucking like it was. So I steadily pushed down on the gas and it sped up....and no problems at all. I got to almost 1/2 a tank and topped off (8 gal) and went along my way and no issues.

So like, what's the general opinions ???

 

[IAmTodd]

Sounds like a fuel issue. Possibly something along the lines of a bad fuel pump, clogged filter, or bad fuel. Although bad fuel could be ruled out because you got it from different places and the same thing happened.

 

[rscamaro73]

Well, I put a fuel pressure gauge on it today and I got 70 PSI on the shrader valve. Went down to about 50 when I accelerated (pressed down on the gas). Then it went right back up. Wish there was some electric gauge I could put on there to watch it with the hood down while driving.

Anyways...put new plugs on. Checked the OLD plugs I put on less than 11,000 miles ago and the pass side they all were sitting at .40 and the driver side at .50-.55 average. Now, I installed all these myself and I KNOW they weren't that bad. I'd never install plugs that screwed up when its so easy to do them. I think it took me 30 min to do all 8 if that long.

I guess my next step is a trans fluid & filter change. Can't hurt any. I hope.:roll:

 

[rscamaro73]

Current Update: :thumbdwn:

OK....this thing goes on.....wife had mentioned it happened upon initial accelleration fomr a stop to a slow speed, but the jump and lurch and surge was still there. I had that crap happen to me today....like it was out of gas.

Now, I limped it to a gas station, and got ALMOST 8 gallons put in and it went from 1/2 tank to full. $20.

Then it started doing it AGAIN.......

So I'm thinking its either a clogged sock on the fuel pump or the filter is trashed, but I doubt it. I'm leaning more towards the pump/sock area.

And I get to do this with a full tank.

YES

Is there any way to get the crap out of the tank other than just sloshing the fuel around and flipping it over in the driveway ? I have some cans so I'll siphon most of it out (skimming the top though and watching what goes in my collection container).

Happy 12th Anniversary hon (as I give my wife a gas soaked hug)....lol....
I'll report back after I do that AND change my trans fluid (thought that mighta been part of it).

 

[rscamaro73]

4 April Update:

Got a call that my gas tank was done at the local radiator shop. They do HD industrial and commercial radiators for Heavy Equipment/swamp coolers/A/C units....etc.....a friend turned me onto them after he had similar problems with a Jeep tank (his had a deteriorating internal coating peeling off). So I dropped it off 2 days ago, they call me first thing today. Cost me almost $70 (well worth it considering what a new tank would cost). There is just a VERY minimal amount of surface rust in there and a light dusty coating....which I'll slosh a lil gas in and pour out before putting it back together.

If it wasn't raining, I'd be in it right now instead of typing this.

So, I'm pretty sure this was my problem....I'll know for sure once I get things put back together. I held off on the trans fluid just because I wanted to do ONE thing at a time. That and I have no kitty litter for the driveway (stuff for the cats is too expensive).:

I'll report back when this portion is done. And I apologize for the lack of photographs, but when I work I seldom have time to document anything (although I should). If anyone has questions, just ask. Dropping a tank is a piece of cake now

 

[boominXplorer]

I think im experiancing the same problems, what was the cure?

 

[blackbeauty]

sounds like a problem i had a few weeks ago. changed the plugs and wires and all good. the plugs were spotless so i assume the wires where to blame. moisture from our n.eastern climate kills wires, so my dad says, 30 year mechanic.

 

[rscamaro73]

Further update...... 5/14/07

Have had absolutely NO problems since I got the tank professionally cleaned and washed out. I reinstalled the 3 week old fuel pump with a new sock (filter). Some fresh gas and some time to prime, I went and hit the shrader valve ont he intake to check for pressure/bleed off a tad bit of air....once she started up, I took her out for a few WOT runs to check to see if the RPM's would go up......before the RPM's were limited to 4K RPM's max....now she'd run all the way up to 5500+, AND the fuel pressure was showing well at hi RPM's.

So...if'n you see anything that resembles varnished fuel in the tank when you drop it for a fuel pump, you might wanna get it washed out just to be safe.

Also as a FYI....I noticed the factort liner that they installed was peeling, and this took most of it off. Just shop for an industrial radiator shop.