Random hesitation, feels Like tranny but not near shift point, only on takeoff

[4FordFamily]

My 2003 explorer xlt 4.0 4x4 has 110k miles.

When I take off (I accelerate VERY slow, never more than 2000 rpms) about 1 in 10 times it hesitates like a transmission would if it had a bad gear; however the trans is fine shifts perfect no issues. It feels like it is "thinking" before it recognizes my foot on the pedal.

It is due for a tuneup.

Once this winter I put it in reverse and cut the wheel and it stalled. No similar issues since.

Only other issue is belt noise at idle in the severely cold weather. Everything else is A1.

Torque converter? Tune-up? Something else? I don't want this to get to the point where it breaks something else.

 

[pet575]

Assuming it has never been done, I'd start with a new fuel filter and a tuneup.

 

[ahodges]

If a tune up has never been done it is due.. The mass-air-flow sensor could be getting dirty or pluged also. Do the regular tune up with new plugs as a minimum (wires may not be necessary) and a new air filter.

Also as a suggestion use some strong fuel injector cleaner and/or sea foam in the gas and straight into the intake.

 

[4FordFamily]

If a tune up has never been done it is due.. The mass-air-flow sensor could be getting dirty or pluged also. Do the regular tune up with new plugs as a minimum (wires may not be necessary) and a new air filter.

Also as a suggestion use some strong fuel injector cleaner and/or sea foam in the gas and straight into the intake.

thanks guys, and call me an idiot, but where is the intake that I should pour this seafoam? Anyone post a pic or a link with a pic?

 

[ahodges]

no pics but if you can get it into the main air intake, thats best but any vacume line that would feed all of the cylinders would also work. I usually us the brake booster vacume line but that doesnt necessarily feed all the cylinders. I've heard that using the PCV (positive crankcase venilation) valve line is the best and if you do that the PCV valve probably could also use replacing (I'm not familiar with the location of it your your engine though..)

 

[4FordFamily]

no pics but if you can get it into the main air intake, thats best but any vacume line that would feed all of the cylinders would also work. I usually us the brake booster vacume line but that doesnt necessarily feed all the cylinders. I've heard that using the PCV (positive crankcase venilation) valve line is the best and if you do that the PCV valve probably could also use replacing (I'm not familiar with the location of it your your engine though..)

Could I just remove the two big hoses attached to the throttle body and spray in there?

 

[Exp03Limited]

My 2003 explorer xlt 4.0 4x4 has 110k miles.

When I take off (I accelerate VERY slow, never more than 2000 rpms) about 1 in 10 times it hesitates like a transmission would if it had a bad gear; however the trans is fine shifts perfect no issues. It feels like it is "thinking" before it recognizes my foot on the pedal.

It is due for a tuneup.

Torque converter? Tune-up? Something else? I don't want this to get to the point where it breaks something else.

So last week my Explorer 03 AWD starting doing something similar. It is only when starting from complete stand still, and it seems to be a second or two after moving that it kinda slips or hesitates. All driving and shifting is fine when rolling. I seem to notice it more when turning at a stop sign vs driving straight from a stop.

Mine has 80k miles so I'm going to try replacing the fuel filter tomorrow along with cleaning the throttle body and cold air filter. I also bought a set of plugs but I doubt that will make a difference. I'm really hoping it's not the transmission.

Anyone else have this problem and know the fix or have ideas as to what could be wrong? Thanks.

 

[ahodges]

Could I just remove the two big hoses attached to the throttle body and spray in there?

I'm not terribly farmilar with the set up on your engine but as long as the hoses are attached to the intake behind the throttle body you should be fine.

 

[4FordFamily]

So last week my Explorer 03 AWD starting doing something similar. It is only when starting from complete stand still, and it seems to be a second or two after moving that it kinda slips or hesitates. All driving and shifting is fine when rolling. I seem to notice it more when turning at a stop sign vs driving straight from a stop.

Mine has 80k miles so I'm going to try replacing the fuel filter tomorrow along with cleaning the throttle body and cold air filter. I also bought a set of plugs but I doubt that will make a difference. I'm really hoping it's not the transmission.

Anyone else have this problem and know the fix or have ideas as to what could be wrong? Thanks.

Sounds VERY similar. I hope we can get this worked out.

 

[BrianDye]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2213517&postcount=22

 

[racecarbob]

I am having the same problem with my 2005 Explorer XLT 4x4 4.0 v6. It does not happen at regular intervals but at usually at take off. I have changed to transmission fluid and filter, and fuel filter and added a K&N air filter. These all helped but did not fix the problem completely. Mine just turned 40,000 miles and was purchased new. It feels like mine is trying to go into two gears at the same time or hunting for a gear to go into. I hope someone has a fix.

 

[mhamric]

So last week my Explorer 03 AWD starting doing something similar. It is only when starting from complete stand still, and it seems to be a second or two after moving that it kinda slips or hesitates. All driving and shifting is fine when rolling. I seem to notice it more when turning at a stop sign vs driving straight from a stop.

Mine has 80k miles so I'm going to try replacing the fuel filter tomorrow along with cleaning the throttle body and cold air filter. I also bought a set of plugs but I doubt that will make a difference. I'm really hoping it's not the transmission.

Anyone else have this problem and know the fix or have ideas as to what could be wrong? Thanks.

I'm taking mine ('02 V8 4x4 82k) into my mechanic next week for what sounds like the same thing. He said it's probably the rear diff needing a fluid change and slip modifier added to it. He thinks that'll take care of it, otherwise it'll need a rebuild which is going to suck.

 

[4FordFamily]

I'm taking mine ('02 V8 4x4 82k) into my mechanic next week for what sounds like the same thing. He said it's probably the rear diff needing a fluid change and slip modifier added to it. He thinks that'll take care of it, otherwise it'll need a rebuild which is going to suck.

Please let me know if this helps, I don't see how the rear end could be the cause but I for one am not very mechanically inclined.

 

[zerodevil]

jason, are you throwing any codes? SEL isnt on? Have you gone ahead and done spark plugs, fluids, new air and fuel filter, cleaned the MAF, checked the IAC, and some injector cleaner yet? best way of approaching any repair is to start simple and go from there.

 

[4FordFamily]

jason, are you throwing any codes? SEL isnt on? Have you gone ahead and done spark plugs, fluids, new air and fuel filter, cleaned the MAF, checked the IAC, and some injector cleaner yet? best way of approaching any repair is to start simple and go from there.

Working on fuel system flush, and tune-up, and a couple other things Friday. IAC goes bad around 110-120k religiously on these guys, and I run premium my injectors are probably ok but I do seafoam the thing a couple times a year. MAF I have not, and air filter is fine.

All great ideas!

 

[zerodevil]

you might benefit from clearing the adaptable memory, just unplug the negative lead for the batt, and let it sit for a bit. that will clear the memory. are you running the latest PCM update from ford? this sounds more computer based than mechanical(syptoms would be more consistant if it was mechanical). how does she drive when you stick your foot in her? nice solid shifts? any stuttering?

 

[4FordFamily]

you might benefit from clearing the adaptable memory, just unplug the negative lead for the batt, and let it sit for a bit. that will clear the memory. are you running the latest PCM update from ford? this sounds more computer based than mechanical(syptoms would be more consistant if it was mechanical). how does she drive when you stick your foot in her? nice solid shifts? any stuttering?

About 6 months before I noticed the lag at low throttle take-offs, I noticed shuttering under hard acceleration.

I had brakes, tcase fluid service, fuel system flush, coolant flush, fuel filter change, and injector, throttle, etc. cleaning done and the problem so far hasn't occurred. I've only driven it about 100 miles but it should have screwed up since then

 

[Exp03Limited]

Jason, you still looking good or has the problem reoccured? I did mostly the same things as you a week ago. I did not change the TC fluid and am hoping that is my problem as well. Planning to do that this weekend, possibly along with differential fluid. I definitely notice my hesitation only occurs after being warmed up which makes me think about fluid viscosity breaking down.

 

[xTheRebelx]

My 2003 explorer xlt 4.0 4x4 has 110k miles.

When I take off (I accelerate VERY slow, never more than 2000 rpms) about 1 in 10 times it hesitates like a transmission would if it had a bad gear; however the trans is fine shifts perfect no issues. It feels like it is "thinking" before it recognizes my foot on the pedal.

It is due for a tuneup.

Once this winter I put it in reverse and cut the wheel and it stalled. No similar issues since.

Only other issue is belt noise at idle in the severely cold weather. Everything else is A1.

Torque converter? Tune-up? Something else? I don't want this to get to the point where it breaks something else.

My 2002 Explorer XLT is doing the same thing and also stalled 3 times while cutting it sharp in reverse,probably b/c in 4x4.

 

[4FordFamily]

Well, the frequency of this happening has been cut to 1/3 as often. It's actually only happened once. I accelerate very slowly, if I "get" on it, it's never happened. I accelerate like "grandma"

That being said, it has only occurred once, 2 days ago. Been a week since repairs, daily driven since. Need to do plugs, wires, and differential fluid service.

Also considering "flashing" the computer.

Any other info would be appreciated.