Hesitation, especially under load...help?

[ihatefords]

I'm new to Exploders, but not new to mechanics...I have a hesitation, more pronounced under a load, like under acceleration...doesn't feel like a fuel issue, it acts more like a spark delivery problem. Is there some way to test the coilpack? Also, when I had a Crank Positionong sensor failure on my Jeep, it just quit...there was no acting up leading up to the failure. Is that typical in ford? I know it's a magnetic pickup...could enough dirt or grease affect it? Worth mentioning is the fact that I replaced plugs and wires about 2 weeks before it started acting up...and yes, I gapped the plugs correctly. Thanks, folks.

 

[austinmob]

If the camshaft sensor has been replaced it may have been installed wrong. Are you able to check if it has been done.

If not done exact with the removal tool it will throw the timing out. Check out the posts on page 9 of the below thread.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=100

 

[ihatefords]

nope...had the exploder for about a year, no work done on it in that time. I did plugs and wires, and 2 weeks later it started acting up. Since m last post I have also changed coilpacks, pulled and checked all plugs and wires, and replaced the fuel filter. still has a hitch in her giddyup.
:roll:

 

[Turdle]

Which brand of spark plugs did you use?

 

[ihatefords]

Autolites...what the OE called for in the service manual at Carquest auto parts...and I made sure they were gapped correctly when I put them in...and again when I pulled them out to check them a couple days ago. I'm leaning toward a fuel issue now because when I've encountered weak spark issues on other vehicles, the plugs tend to be more buggered up after a couple weeks of running it. These plugs looked good, even after two weeks of this hiccupping.

 

[sean kane]

Have you checked all the injectors? I had an issue but mine had a slight rough idle and would fall on its face under a load.

I found #1 injector to be faulty. I did a ohms test on all the injectors and found #1 to read 0.000.

Some where on a google search I found the range that the injectors were suppose to test within and I cant remember where I found it or what the range was. I will post it if I can find it again.

Have you put a fuel pressure guage to the rail and taken the vehicle for a drive to ensure it is not a fuel pressure regulator or pump issue?

 

[sean kane]

I believe the range should be 11-18 ohms.

Also make sure the red wires going to the injectors have constant power and the white wire should be pulsing.

I checked the white wire by hooking the test light lead to ground on the battery and touching the probe to the white wire. Every time the injector recieves a pulse signal the test light should light up then shut off. It will likely be on and off quickly with the vehicle running.

Injectors dont fail that often and even if one is not totally gone it could be plugged with carbon and not firing the fuel spray it should be.

 

[ihatefords]

Well, today I went down and got two O2 sensors because the CEL came on and the code was p1151...sensor 1, bank 2. Just to cover all the bases, I replaced both sensors. Does anyone know how long the battery has to be disconnected to reset the PCM settings? I had it off for about ten minutes, but probably a bit less than that because I was in a hurry...it was getting dark and cold again. And providing this was my issue, how long does it take for the PCM to relearn the optimum air/fuel ratios? I hope this was my issue, though...if not, it'll be checking fuel pressures at the rail, regulator and pump...but I don't have a ton of money to be throwing at this thing, so any and all help is appreciated...oh, and I'm going to put in a half a can of SEAFOAM in the morning.

 

[ihatefords]

Resolution!!!

On a whim today, i decided to pull the spark plugs and check them again. this time I ran the truck for a while at idle in park before letting it cool and pulling them. The front plug on the driver side was wet, smelled like gas. I put in a brand new matching plug, and now it runs like a raped ape. I guess I'll have to periodically check that plug and the performance to see if it was merely the plug, or if I have a problem with the wire or coil. For now, she's working. For now...:smoke: