Hello guys, and Scotty!
I need help. I have a 1999 f150 automatic 110k miles on it. Previous owner(original owner) let it sit for long periods of time. I think he used it around the beach, maybe as a tow vehicle. It has slight rocker rust.
I bought it from the guy last year. Runs ok no major issues or check engine light. However recently it's being sluggish. around 50 to 55 mph at 1.3k to 1.4k rpm, especially up hill at top gear it has a hesitation or a shake. I really have to push the gas pedal down, it down shifts a gear to finally gain some speed. What could it be? He changed the spark plugs at 90k miles, but that was in 2013. Again no check engine light.
Recently I took it for a recall for a cruise control issue and for new gas tank straps. Before this, I did not notice any problems. Not sure if the two are related?
When I got it last year I put new rotors on it.
Not sure what else has been done to it.
please help!
You're not really in a power band going at that speed and RPM, especially going up a hill.
There's a long, semi-steep incline on the highway that I drive home in my '99 Ranger. If I'm not going 65 when I start to climb the hill, the torque converter will unlock toward the end of the incline and send the RPMs up almost 2x because there's not enough torque to climb the hill at the engine speed in overdrive.
Change your fuel filter. Ford trucks of that age all have them underneath the truck, inside the driver's side frame rail, below the driver's door. It's a cylinder around the size of a soda can.
Check the air filter and see if it's clogged or not. The second thing to check are the fuel injectors. You said no check engine light but put some fuel injector cleaner in and see what that will do.
Misfiring is covered in the FAQ
When you lose power, does the truck buck? Or is it a smooth loss of power?
Is it possible that they smashed the exhaust tubing? Or maybe a clogged cat? I suppose you might get some codes if that's the case.
Hello, thank you guys from your replies. yes it bucks/shutters moderately.
Air filter is clean I replaced it about 6 months ago.
I have been running fuel injector cleaners once a month on it since I purchased it. From STP to various other brands. I use to get 16 to 17mpg before, now I am getting about 14 or 15. Mostly highway driving. I was going to add that in but can't seem to find the edit button.
If it bucks, then I'd lean more towards fuel. Fuel filter, fuel pump, fuel pickup sock, or even a kink in the fuel line.
Ok guys, so today on the highway I gunned it for about 20 minutes. Going as fast as I could trying to get it to buck and or misfire and it finally happened. It was a p0300 PD. Check Engine light started flashing for a few minutes but then I pulled over and it stopped! The P0300 code is just "pending" And I drove it about 3.5 hours more at the usual 55mph today and could not get it to display any additional codes. The check engine light never flashed again either. Before it was idling at 550 rpm in park. Now its at about 700 but gradually goes down to 500 and back up. This is after the latest round of fuel injector cleaner that ran through it - which I purchased from the dollar store. Still bucks/hesitates at top gear. I have a fuel filter delivered today will install tomorrow.
Could it be anything else other than fuel?