Acceleration problems

ERNEST WREN

MEMBER
1998 FORD F-150
4.6L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
98,397 MILES

I try to drive it and it does not accelerate very fast at all. Takes a quarter of a mile to get up past twenty five mph. It has a new battery, new oil and oil filter, and it runs smooth. It smells weird after running for extended periods of time though. It does start shaking more with the A/C turned on. I have not checked the air filter or fuel filter nor the exhaust system. I did put sea foam through the fuel system though.

3 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,757 POSTS

A shaking engine is a sign of a misfire, and most commonly that is spark-related. How long since the spark plugs were replaced? Ford has also had some trouble with their ignition coils, so that is something else to consider.

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Wednesday, June 28th, 2017 AT 11:02 PM

ERNEST WREN

MEMBER
1 POST

We have passed it back and forth through the family for almost four years. They have never been replaced during that time and I do not know about the previous owner. Would it help if I mentioned that its been sitting for close to two years without being run until a few days ago?

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Wednesday, June 28th, 2017 AT 11:22 PM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,757 POSTS

That should not be a problem. I have a 1993 Dodge Dynasty with less than 5,000 miles that regularly sits for three or four years without being driven, and it runs fine, but in some parts of the country gas becomes stale and will cause starting and running problems. It can also foul spark plugs. This also points to the need for new spark plugs, but I would not install them until all the old gas is used up.

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Thursday, June 29th, 2017 AT 5:06 PM