Van is jerking when driving forward

Tiny
WARREN1814
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 FORD E-SERIES VAN
  • 4.2L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 159,000 MILES
Okay, guys my van is acting up again. My van is jerking when you drive forward and it makes this sound at idle as well. So far there are no error codes. I think it maybe the fuel filter or the fuel pump or both myself. The fuel filter has been replaced in 2018 but the fuel pump has never been replaced since I bought it. The sound I wanted you guys to hear is at the beginning of the video and close to the end of the video. I just wanted to know what you guys think before I start buying parts again etc. Hope to hear from you guys soon like always etc. :-)
Monday, April 19th, 2021 AT 1:47 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
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Is the noise that you are talking about the reving or ranging of the RPM? It sounds like it is searching for the correct idle RPM.

Also, are you saying that the engine is hesitating or is it a transmission jerk when this is driving?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-hesitates

Does this do it at a certain speed or does it do it at all speeds?

I am not sure this is a fuel pressure issue but we need to check it to be sure.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Let us know this info and we can go from there. Thanks
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Tuesday, April 20th, 2021 AT 6:00 PM
Tiny
WARREN1814
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The engine is hesitating (ranging of the RPM). And it just does it at idle and going forward. For example you can put it in drive and then it will start doing it (not pressing the gas at all). But you press the gas it doesn't do it at all then (so far no error codes either) at any speed, at least not yet anyway (praise the Lord). When going in reverse it operates just fine too.
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Tuesday, April 20th, 2021 AT 9:25 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
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It is odd that it doesn't do it in reverse but I suspect we have a vacuum leak or an issue with the idle control.

Let's start with the vacuum leak using this guide and go from there:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

We still need to rule out fuel by checking the pressure just to be sure.

Also, if you can hook a vacuum gauge to the engine that would be helpful as well to find out if we have an issue with either of these systems.
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Wednesday, April 21st, 2021 AT 6:04 PM
Tiny
WARREN1814
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If it's a vacuum leak why doesn't the check engine light come on like last time? Just asking. Oh, I forgot to mention this too; it may mean nothing but I might as well share this too. A lot of water seems to come out of the tailpipe more often than before too. Okay. I will keep you updated. Thank you for taking the time to answer my question(s).
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Wednesday, April 21st, 2021 AT 9:43 PM
Tiny
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Vacuum leaks normally set lean codes but not always. The water from the tailpipe is not overly concerning because that is just condensation coming out of the exhaust.

The only two things that I am concerned with when there is a large amount of water coming out is a head gasket issue or a piston ring issue.

We need to run through this test to prove out a head gasket.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

However, most likely there would be smoke coming out of the exhaust with the water.

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Thursday, April 22nd, 2021 AT 7:43 PM
Tiny
WARREN1814
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Well, it's not a blown head gasket. No smoke out of the tailpipe just water etc.
I click the link you provided about that and there is no oil or anything leaking at all praise the Lord. But it still makes that sound I showed you in the video clip. Hmm, I didn't know that I thought for sure that vacuum leaks always set a error code.

I drove it today in fact trying to get to the repair shop but they wasn't able to get to it. And it runs smooth as butter when you step on the gas but when you stop at the light then it makes that sound like in the video. But the repair guy did have a chance to hear it and he said sounds like a vacuum leak to him as well. So I am glad I didn't throw away my receipt to the fuel pump and fuel filter etc. Well unfortunately that not much of a update but that's all I have at this time.
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Friday, April 23rd, 2021 AT 9:04 AM
Tiny
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That is good info. Thanks for the update. If someone looking at it thinks it could be a vacuum leak as well, then I would chase that down as the next step.

Here is the guide again but I would suggest stopping by a parts store and getting a vacuum gauge and hook it up to the motor through a vacuum line.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

It may not be an external leak. It could be intake valves hanging open causing the leak. A gauge is the only way to show this. Attached is a diagram of common issues that are shown from the gauge.
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Friday, April 23rd, 2021 AT 8:11 PM
Tiny
WARREN1814
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April 24th, 2021 Update: Well, I took my van in and they repaired it. Turns out it was a leak under the intake manifold. Unlike last time I forgot to ask what the vacuum gauge read this time. But I do have a question though. Is it normal to fix a vacuum leak under the intake manifold so fast (under 2 hours)? Thank the Lord it runs good now and it doesn't make that sound like it did the video clip. Here is the break down on what I was charged just so if someone needs to know or want to know etc: Test and repaired vacuum 1. Whatever that meant charge was zero. Vacuum hose 1 of those was $2.00. And the labor is what gets me every time. But I have to pay it because I can't reach it (wheelchair) etc. Anyway, labor was $100.00. Total was $103.00. That includes taxable amount ($2.00) and sales tax (0.18).
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Saturday, April 24th, 2021 AT 12:05 PM
Tiny
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That is great that it was fixed. If they only charged you for a $2.00 hose then that was a standard vacuum hose and they most likely didn't remove the intake as there was no gasket.

The fact that they found it and fixed it for about a $100.00 then that is great.

Thanks for the info and the update. Thanks for using 2CarPros.
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Saturday, April 24th, 2021 AT 6:26 PM
Tiny
WARREN1814
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I didn't think they didn't remove the intake because that was pretty fast. And You're welcome for the update. I really like this website. It's always a big help. Well for me it has anyway.
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Saturday, April 24th, 2021 AT 8:35 PM
Tiny
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Sounds good. Thanks for returning and glad you are enjoying it. We are here to help and hope to see you next time. Thanks
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Monday, April 26th, 2021 AT 7:08 PM

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