Engine is sputtering when accelerating?

Tiny
BEAGLEFACE
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 FORD EXPEDITION
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 91,684 MILES
My 2000 Expedition sputters when accelerating. Is this a clogged fuel filter, injector or timing belt problem?
Monday, February 9th, 2009 AT 3:59 PM

28 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,569 POSTS
Hi:

Before considering a fuel problem, what size V8 is it and is the check engine light on? It sounds like the engine is misfiring?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-misfires-or-runs-rough

Joe
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Thursday, November 1st, 2018 AT 6:37 PM
Tiny
HELPING YOU
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Has anyone "washed" your engine?
If it just shakes alot it's (probably) a COP (coil-on-plug) or spark plug failing.
If it FALLS FLAT -check fuel pressure - it's very easy - there's a shrader valve (like a tire valve) on the top of engine - just slip a guage under the wiper and go, being careful not to turn on the wiper if it's raining.
To check COP's (and other ignition/fuel checks) you'll need to have a scan tool that shows at least a code for what cylinder to check, or better yet that shows crank speed and tells which cylinder(s) not contributing in real time.
These are both common problems and is where I would start. (There are many more [less common] things that happen)
If you pull a COP out and the boot has a big crack - replace ALL the boots. (COP's are OK)
If pressure IS going away don't just replace the filter, replace the pump at this mileage if not been done before.
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Thursday, November 1st, 2018 AT 6:37 PM
Tiny
JHERD
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My 2000, 2WD, EB, 4.6L Expedition 139,000 miles sputters idle, in gear and while driving. Fuel system cleaner has no affect. Appears I would have to disconnect the fuel injection to change spark plugs. I posted my own question as well. Can someone confirm the need to disconnect Fuel injection to change plugs?
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Thursday, November 1st, 2018 AT 6:37 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi:
You should be able to work them out without removing the fuel rails. I have the 5.4 and thought the same thing, but was able to do it.
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Thursday, November 1st, 2018 AT 6:37 PM
Tiny
ROBINS2489
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2000 FORD EXPEDITION
  • 5.4L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
Driving down the road and the the engine started making a loud sputtering noise it sounds kind of like air pushing out of something, And seemed like the engine was going to die. There has been a tick sound coming out of the engine for a couple weeks that a mechanic said was just the valve lifter or something like that. Is it related? Or something else? What could be the problem here?
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Sunday, September 13th, 2020 AT 1:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,837 POSTS
Based on the description of the symptoms, there has been a lot of trouble with Ford V-8 truck engines popping out a spark plug, usually the rear one on the passenger side. There is supposed to be a repair kit for that but due to access problems, I think the cylinder head has to be removed to do that repair. The original ticking would have been the exhaust gases sneaking past the loose spark plug.
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Sunday, September 13th, 2020 AT 1:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROBINS2489
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Thank you thank you oh so very much, you nailed it right on the head. That's exactly what was wrong now it's purring like a kitten!
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Sunday, September 13th, 2020 AT 1:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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All right! One in a row. Happy to hear it's solved.
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Sunday, September 13th, 2020 AT 1:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
REGGIEG
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 FORD EXPEDITION
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 217,000 MILES
What cause my suv to shake when I give it gas my rpms idle between 600to 800rpms in drive at a light ans sputters on take off?
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Sunday, September 13th, 2020 AT 1:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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It could be a few things. First, has the check engine light come on?

Let me know.
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Sunday, September 13th, 2020 AT 1:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SAMSIE5
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 FORD EXPEDITION
  • 207,900 MILES
Hello I have a 2000 for expedition. I had no choice but to drive through some water on the road during a heavy downpour two days ago. One was rather deep. Today a check engine light came on, flashed a few times and turned off. Over the next twenty or so miles home the expedition sputtered (i'm guessing is the best wording for it) Any ideas as to waht this could be? I'm sure it has something to do with driving through that water two days ago.
Thanks
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Sunday, September 13th, 2020 AT 1:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
Take to any parts store and they can ck. The codes for u and then u will know.
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Sunday, September 13th, 2020 AT 1:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JHERD
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2000 FORD EXPEDITION
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 139,110 MILES
Engine Sputtering while in idle and in gear. Service Engine Soon indicater is on. Fuel systen cleaner has no positive affect. Appears will have to remove fuel injector lines to replace plugs? Can you provide some insite as to how I should proceed?
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Sunday, September 13th, 2020 AT 1:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SCHRIMPIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
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Get the code(s) from the Check Engine Light. If you don't have a scanner, you can try the larger franchise auto parts stores such as AutoZone or Pep Boys or Advance Auto Parts. They can scan your car for free. Don't fall into paying for gettiing a scanner hooked up. Shop around. There's plenty of places that'll do it for free.

Write down the code(s). The codes are very specific, so be sure to write each one down. Post the codes on the forum. Then you can proceed.

The code(s) may not be the absolute answer to your problem, but it'll point you in the right direction.
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Sunday, September 13th, 2020 AT 1:27 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BDOTMARTIN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2000 FORD EXPEDITION
  • V8
  • RWD
  • AUTOMATIC
I started my truck this morning and went to hit the acceleration and the truck sputters alittle. I replaced the spark plugs a year ago, but not the wires/ coil packs. Can someone help me with answer's, because I really don't want to pay a mechanic if it is a diy project.
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Sunday, September 13th, 2020 AT 1:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
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The only thing you can do to start is to have the diagnostic fault codes read and recorded. The people at most auto parts stores will do that for you for free. That's where the mechanic would start.
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Sunday, September 13th, 2020 AT 1:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BDOTMARTIN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Get the codes read first. Is there no other informative information relating to the matter?
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Sunday, September 13th, 2020 AT 1:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,837 POSTS
No. You haven't provided any useful information or test results to analyze. "Acceleration" can mean going from standing still to 15 mph or from 65 to 80 mph. To some people, "sputtering a little" means the vehicle barely runs without three passengers pushing it. Some people get excited over the tiniest thing we don't even notice.

The repair might very well be a do-it-yourselfer project, but first you have to know what's wrong. I can't tell that over a computer. I know a few people who are dangerous if they get close to a screwdriver. Other people make beginning mechanics look bad. I need to have an idea of what you can handle when working on vehicles with way too much unnecessary technology. I've had people get angry with me and call me every name in the book after I told them what needed to be done, then they attempted it themselves and damaged something expensive. I don't have a problem steering you in the right direction, but exactly what kind of answer are you expecting? You have an engine running problem and you didn't even bother to list which engine you have.

You can't call your doctor on the phone and say, "I'm in pain", and expect a diagnosis. You might have a hang nail, cut your foot off with a chainsaw, or you ex-girlfriend came back! At the very least, he's going to ask you a few questions to get started. Reading diagnostic fault codes is always the place to get started. Unfortunately, only Chrysler makes that a 30-second do-it-yourself project. For all other brands, you either need a code reader, a scanner, or there's some terminals to connect in the diagnostic plug. Connecting terminals went away with the new emissions systems on all '96 and newer vehicles, so unless you want to invest in a code reader, you need to go to an auto parts store.

You can find decent code readers on eBay for less than a hundred dollars. One diagnosis from that code reader will cost less than an hour of diagnostic time at a shop.
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Sunday, September 13th, 2020 AT 1:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BDOTMARTIN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Point taken buddy. Didn't mean to offend if I did. I will stop at auto zone and see what they get from the code reader. Until I find out. Thanks!
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Sunday, September 13th, 2020 AT 1:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
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Not offended. I just love using my "I'm in pain, ... Why" line but I don't get the chance very often.
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Sunday, September 13th, 2020 AT 1:28 PM (Merged)

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