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Thread: Truck issues

  1. #1
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    Unhappy Truck issues

    My truck (97' F150 4.2) is acting up and I wanted to see if y'all had any ideas. I drove it on the freeway and back home for a 30 mile round trip. No problems. Got home and turned it off. Went back a few minutes later to move it and it wouldn't start. First it started and ran like crap. Rough idle and would stall. Now it just cranks and cranks.
    No engine codes thrown. Battery is 12v when sitting and around 10 volts while cranking. Any ideas?

  2. #2

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    Quote Originally Posted by sammm View Post
    My truck (97' F150 4.2) is acting up and I wanted to see if y'all had any ideas. I drove it on the freeway and back home for a 30 mile round trip. No problems. Got home and turned it off. Went back a few minutes later to move it and it wouldn't start. First it started and ran like crap. Rough idle and would stall. Now it just cranks and cranks.
    No engine codes thrown. Battery is 12v when sitting and around 10 volts while cranking. Any ideas?
    I bought my first house from a kick ass mechanic, at this point, he'd say fuel or fire?

    Are you pumping gas to the injectors and are the spark plugs firing?
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    Quote Originally Posted by pliablemoose View Post
    I Are you pumping gas to the injectors and are the spark plugs firing?
    That's what my brother just told me too (via email, he's out of state). I think my plugs are still original. I am going to pull one and see what it looks like. Still <60K miles on the truck. (I used to ride my motorcycle a lot!)

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    Quote Originally Posted by sammm View Post
    That's what my brother just told me too (via email, he's out of state). I think my plugs are still original. I am going to pull one and see what it looks like. Still <60K miles on the truck. (I used to ride my motorcycle a lot!)
    I vote for a new fuel filter

    Slap on some new plugs & wires while you're at it. I had an 03' with that engine, it was pretty trouble free, just a dog on the highway, or maybe I was just too lame to keep the RPM's up. I got pulled over in my 99' F250 diesel last week, that damn thing really moves for such a big vehicle.
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    I pulled one plug and it still looks good. I changed the wires (and possibly the fuel filter) a few years back. I'm going to try and get some gas in the throttle body and see if it will crank over then. What's the easiest way to check for spark?

  6. #6

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    Borrow a timing light! All you need it for is the spark.

    Fuel.

    Find someone with a pressure gauge and see that you have the correct pressure at the fuel manifold. Probably around 40-50 PSI.
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    You could also try grabbing one of the wires in one hand and putting your other hand on the block while a volunteer turns the engine over.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Radio-Active View Post
    You could also try grabbing one of the wires in one hand and putting your other hand on the block while a volunteer turns the engine over.
    I volunteer!!!!!

  9. #9

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    Quote Originally Posted by sammm View Post
    I pulled one plug and it still looks good. I changed the wires (and possibly the fuel filter) a few years back. I'm going to try and get some gas in the throttle body and see if it will crank over then. What's the easiest way to check for spark?
    Screwdriver into spark plug wire where it attaches to spark plug, Then hold screwdriver close to a good ground (manifold bolt, etc) Have your helper turn the key and see if there's a spark. Should jump 1/4 " gap at least.

    Try some starting fluid in the throttle body.

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    I put some gas down the throttle body and it did start. Very rough idle, no power and then died. I tried it again and it won't even crank. Hopefully the battery is just weak (I have it on the charger now), but I'm afraid it's hydrolocked (known issue with that motor). White smoke blew out when it started that first time.

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    Is it low on Antifreeze since that would be the source for the Hydra-lock?

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    Quote Originally Posted by POS Racing View Post
    Is it low on Antifreeze since that would be the source for the Hydra-lock?
    The overflow bottle still has anti-freeze in it. I don't drive it often enough to remember if it was full, or the level it's at now. I did pull the #4 cylinder plug which is supposed to get the worst if it's hydrolocked. No anti-freeze on it, just a bit wet with gas. I'm going to pull all the plugs tomorrow and check them.

  13. #13

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    Quote Originally Posted by POS Racing View Post
    Is it low on Antifreeze since that would be the source for the Hydra-lock?
    Let's hope not. Check your oil. Any sign of antifreeze? Check your radiator. Any sign of oil?

    If you think you really are hydrolocked, take out your sparkplugs and spray WD40 liberally into each plughole. I'd do this and wait overnight, then a squirt of oil or MM oil into each and then turn the crankshaft pulley to make sure it gets worked in. If you can't turn the crankshaft pulley with a socket and ratchet, then I'd guess you've got a locked up engine.

    Fuel filter and plugs and wires are unlikely culprits.

  14. #14

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    Quote Originally Posted by cam76034 View Post
    Fuel filter and plugs and wires are unlikely culprits.
    Have you verified your getting fuel to the motor??

    Since it ran great up until it quit I'm wondering about fuel system, since my Expedition had simillar fuel delivery issues just before the lease ended on that .
    Last edited by POS Racing; 04-02-2007 at 08:15 AM.

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    Quote Originally Posted by POS Racing View Post
    Have you verified your getting fuel to the motor??
    Not yet...pesky work getting in my way. What time you coming over?

  16. #16

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    Quote Originally Posted by sammm View Post
    Not yet...pesky work getting in my way. What time you coming over?
    Stupid work! Hopefully I'll make a guest appearance after work today!

    So does the truck have an electric fuel pump?

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    Quote Originally Posted by POS Racing View Post
    So does the truck have an electric fuel pump?
    Yep..in the tank. Have to drop the tank to remove it.

  18. #18

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    Quote Originally Posted by sammm View Post
    Yep..in the tank. Have to drop the tank to remove it.
    Oh what fun.... Can ya tell if it runs??

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    Come to think of it, I recall Gary having a similar issue with his wife's SUV. It turned out to be the fuel pump.

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    Quote Originally Posted by sammm View Post
    I put some gas down the throttle body and it did start. Very rough idle, no power and then died. I tried it again and it won't even crank. Hopefully the battery is just weak (I have it on the charger now), but I'm afraid it's hydrolocked (known issue with that motor). White smoke blew out when it started that first time.
    Quote Originally Posted by POS Racing View Post
    Oh what fun.... Can ya tell if it runs??

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