Chris M 2
Active Member
Many thanks to all who have chimed in on my Trac’s stalling and sputtering issues. As mentioned before, I’ve tried just about every fix and cleaning listed on the site, and I’m still trying others’ suggestions.
I’m certainly no expert when it comes to vehicles. Much of this stuff is totally new to me. I’ve learned a lot, but I understand that I may be facing something beyond my skill and experience level.
I’d thought that fuel flow (or lack thereof) might be the cause, but after replacing the fuel filter and having the same problem, I’m thinking it might be related to air flow… that is, the air intake, MAF, and/or throttlebody.
This problem may have begun before I installed my K&N intake, because I had a really rough start-up once. But it got really bad after the install. The problem occurs while the truck is running along just fine… and then stutter, stutter, stall… or the engine will just stop altogether.
I pull off the road and re-start, or, depending on traffic, sometimes I can slip it down into neutral and re-start. However, it’s always a rough start and I have to pump the gas after ignition to force the engine into a smooth rev.
This seems to happen more in damp weather than in dry weather.
So now I’ve some new questions…
1. Is it possible that damp air or moisture is somehow getting into the intake, and if so, would that cause the problems I’m having?
2. Is it possible that the idle is set too low to handle the increased air flow into the engine?
Besides a possible air flow problem, I’ve considered these possible fixes/issues:
3. Would new plugs and wires help? My Trac is an ’02 but has only 47,500 miles on it.
4. Is there anything I could be overlooking? I’ve cleaned the MAF (twice), cleaned the throttle body, cleaned the IAC, done the SeaFoam treatment, checked for the “cracked elbow†(it’s fine), and replaced the fuel filter. I’m getting ready to replace the PCV valve and change out the gas cap sometime in the next few days.
I appreciate everyone’s patience with my constant questions. I really want to solve this problem because I like the truck and want to keep it long-term. However, it’s a sick feeling getting behind the wheel and not knowing if or when this will happen. I’m a bit concerned that it could happen in the middle of a busy intersection with me and my family in the truck. That would suck and could potentially suck very badly…
So, as I’ve said many times, I appreciate any guidance that anyone cares to offer, short of “take it to a shop†and “just sell the thing and be done with it.†These options are on the table but I want to try a few more things before invoking the “nuclear options.â€
Kindest Regards and Keep On Trac’n,
Chris M.
I’m certainly no expert when it comes to vehicles. Much of this stuff is totally new to me. I’ve learned a lot, but I understand that I may be facing something beyond my skill and experience level.
I’d thought that fuel flow (or lack thereof) might be the cause, but after replacing the fuel filter and having the same problem, I’m thinking it might be related to air flow… that is, the air intake, MAF, and/or throttlebody.
This problem may have begun before I installed my K&N intake, because I had a really rough start-up once. But it got really bad after the install. The problem occurs while the truck is running along just fine… and then stutter, stutter, stall… or the engine will just stop altogether.
I pull off the road and re-start, or, depending on traffic, sometimes I can slip it down into neutral and re-start. However, it’s always a rough start and I have to pump the gas after ignition to force the engine into a smooth rev.
This seems to happen more in damp weather than in dry weather.
So now I’ve some new questions…
1. Is it possible that damp air or moisture is somehow getting into the intake, and if so, would that cause the problems I’m having?
2. Is it possible that the idle is set too low to handle the increased air flow into the engine?
Besides a possible air flow problem, I’ve considered these possible fixes/issues:
3. Would new plugs and wires help? My Trac is an ’02 but has only 47,500 miles on it.
4. Is there anything I could be overlooking? I’ve cleaned the MAF (twice), cleaned the throttle body, cleaned the IAC, done the SeaFoam treatment, checked for the “cracked elbow†(it’s fine), and replaced the fuel filter. I’m getting ready to replace the PCV valve and change out the gas cap sometime in the next few days.
I appreciate everyone’s patience with my constant questions. I really want to solve this problem because I like the truck and want to keep it long-term. However, it’s a sick feeling getting behind the wheel and not knowing if or when this will happen. I’m a bit concerned that it could happen in the middle of a busy intersection with me and my family in the truck. That would suck and could potentially suck very badly…
So, as I’ve said many times, I appreciate any guidance that anyone cares to offer, short of “take it to a shop†and “just sell the thing and be done with it.†These options are on the table but I want to try a few more things before invoking the “nuclear options.â€
Kindest Regards and Keep On Trac’n,
Chris M.