Hesitation from a stop

[Black04Ranger]

Hey there all.... I'm not thinking this is normal, but I just bought the truck and I want to make sure. Truck is a 2004 4.0l XLT, auto tranny. Truck only has 35k miles on it.

While the truck is moving it runs beautifully, no problems... but whenever I come to a stop and I go to start again it feels like there is a slight hesitation when it trys to start moving again, but once it gets moving for a few feet that hesitation is gone. Its really strange.

I just purchased the truck about 12 days ago, and I never noticed this until the beginning of this week.

I changed out the oil when I bought it, so brand new oil and filter.
I have checked the tranny fluid, and it was not burnt and there is enough of it.
I have a brand new air filter in there.
There are no vac leaks.
I wouldn't think its the fuel pump since its only got 35k on it, but worth a shot maybe?
Not sure if the spark plugs are still original, but I can change those out as well.

I was looking in my manual last night and I actually stumbled across something that says the truck is made to run on 87 octane gas. I put in 89 since that is what I've always used in all my cars... but in the booklet I saw last night that it says running premium fuel may cause the engine to studder. Could this little switch back to 87 octane really remove this issue?
Cause I never remember it doing it at the dealership during the test drive, and I dont think it really started until after I filled it up the first few times.

[Black04Ranger]

ALSO... I just noticed in my booklet that with an oil change it should be 5.0 quarts with an oil filter replacement..... However, when I went to the autostore they said that it was only 4.0 quarts.

So which is it? I looked at the dip stick, but it is reallly hard to see what the level is at. Currently I've got about 4&1/4 quarts in there, but I want to make sure I'm not 3/4 quarts short.....

[Americantruckfleet]

My Truck probably has a worse problem then you Scott. Took my truck for a spin yesterday and it just started happening, but my symptoms may be a little worse then yours. Making a left onto a busy 5 lane road, and while performing this turn my truck had stalled out as I gunned the acceleration. Weird. I talked to all of the Auto Techs back at my Dad's Truck Repair shop and he said it may be all the dirt on the Mass Airflow Sensor that is causing my truck to bog down while idle. So i am going to give it a shot and i will let you know the results.

I wouldnt put my peanuts on it being a fuel pump. Have you changed the fuel filter Scott?

[Black04Ranger]

nope.... I've only owned it for a few days now.

[Black04Ranger]

ANybody got any information about the 5quarts vs 4 quarts from the post above?

[Vrod21]

To start off, if it said 4 quarts for the previous oil change then you need to change the oil and filter again with 5 quarts and the correct filter (Oil Capacity With Filter Change 5 Quarts (OHV Engines)5 Quarts (SOHC Engines). If you still have the problem do the throttle cable mod, clean the MAF sensor. If you still have the hesitation replace the fuel filter. Let us now if that helps.

[Black04Ranger]

I did the oil change but I only put in 4 quarts (as that is what the guys saw on there screen at autozone when they looked up my 4.0L engine), also when I looked at the oil stick after replacing the oil it is just below the "F" on the line after the 4 quarts, and I thought that adding an additional quart would put it over the F and cause problems.....no?

The Oil filter is brand new. I just put in new gas. As for the throttle cable mod, I wouldn't think that it should make any difference when pulling away slowly from a stop what about of gas you give it, it shouldn't sorta hesitate/studder.

I'll have to replace the spark plugs next, but looking into the engine last night, it looks SUPER crampt for trying to replace the driver's side plugs, any good DIY on doing these?

[Tom]

Originally Posted by Black04Ranger

I was looking in my manual last night and I actually stumbled across something that says the truck is made to run on 87 octane gas. I put in 89 since that is what I've always used in all my cars... but in the booklet I saw last night that it says running premium fuel may cause the engine to studder. Could this little switch back to 87 octane really remove this issue?


Cause I never remember it doing it at the dealership during the test drive, and I dont think it really started until after I filled it up the first few times.

Why would you even switch to 89 octane in the first place? Ford knows what they are doing, they specifically designed the truck to run on 87 octane... so switch back to 87 octane.

Originally Posted by Black04Ranger

ALSO... I just noticed in my booklet that with an oil change it should be 5.0 quarts with an oil filter replacement..... However, when I went to the autostore they said that it was only 4.0 quarts.

So which is it? I looked at the dip stick, but it is reallly hard to see what the level is at. Currently I've got about 4&1/4 quarts in there, but I want to make sure I'm not 3/4 quarts short.....

Originally Posted by Black04Ranger

ANybody got any information about the 5quarts vs 4 quarts from the post above?

Once again, listen to Ford and put in the amount of oil needed for your truck.... 5 quarts.

Originally Posted by Black04Ranger

I did the oil change but I only put in 4 quarts (as that is what the guys saw on there screen at autozone when they looked up my 4.0L engine), also when I looked at the oil stick after replacing the oil it is just below the "F" on the line after the 4 quarts, and I thought that adding an additional quart would put it over the F and cause problems.....no?

When you measured it there was likely no oil in the oil filter...

Originally Posted by Black04Ranger

I'll have to replace the spark plugs next, but looking into the engine last night, it looks SUPER crampt for trying to replace the driver's side plugs, any good DIY on doing these?

Drivers side is real easy, passenger side is the tight side, and for those just reach up under the engine.

First though... stop doing everything you've done and start doing what the manual says to do.

[Black04Ranger]

LOL.... I didn't even think about the 89, since this is the first truck I've ever owned, and all my cars have run on 89 or 93 (for the suped up Tib).

As for the oil, I put the last half quart in tonight, seems to run fine, not sure if the slight hesitation will go away or not.

As for the plugs, what's the best way to get at them for the passenger's side? I've got the deep well spark plug socket, I'd assume its just like a car.... pull off the plug wires, unscrew the spark plugs, properly gap the new plugs, use some dielectic grease on the plug wires and some antisieze grease on the spark plug threads. Turn them in until they stop and then torque down an additional 1/16th of a turn.

Originally Posted by Tom

Why would you even switch to 89 octane in the first place? Ford knows what they are doing, they specifically designed the truck to run on 87 octane... so switch back to 87 octane.

Once again, listen to Ford and put in the amount of oil needed for your truck.... 5 quarts.

When you measured it there was likely no oil in the oil filter...

Drivers side is real easy, passenger side is the tight side, and for those just reach up under the engine.

First though... stop doing everything you've done and start doing what the manual says to do.

[Vrod21]

Tune up was my next suggestion. To get at the pass side plugs, Jack up the pass side. Take off pass side front tire. Remove dust cover, and there they are.

[Black04Ranger]

thanks Vrod, I appreciate it!

[sgtsandman]

Does the engine seem to be hesitating or the transmission lag in "catching"? If the latter, have you checked the transmission fluid level?

If the fluid level is low, the transmission will slip. This is assuming you have an automatic since there is no info on your truck in your signature.

[Black04Ranger]

ah.... yes, an automatic.... but I pulled out the transmission oil level dipstick, and it appeared to be right where it needs to be on the stick, and its red in color, not burnt and black