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  #1  
Old 04-04-2011, 08:33 AM
04FX4LevelII 04FX4LevelII is offline
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Default 04 Level II - 30K Time for Maintenance

Well, after dealing with the bucking for long enough, I'm going to start doing some needed maintenance to hopefully alleviate the problem. The truck is 7 years old, I figure it can hurt to replace the plugs and wires. I have already replaced the air filter with a factory Motorcraft filter. I plan on changing the fuel filter and then of course the plugs and wires.

Now I know you may think it's stupid to replace them at 30,000 miles, but I want to figure out what is causing the bucking ever so often. It's not that its bad, it's just a nuisance. Everything else seems good for now.

Opinions?
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  #2  
Old 04-04-2011, 08:39 AM
dirtbagHB dirtbagHB is offline
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Default Re: 04 Level II - 30K Time for Maintenance

i have an 03 level II, it has 70k on it, so im curious what kind of 'bucking' youre talking about, so i can keep an eye out and see if it happens to me
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  #3  
Old 04-04-2011, 08:47 AM
matt224 matt224 is offline
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Default Re: 04 Level II - 30K Time for Maintenance

if it is bucking in the low end, say under 10 mph; then that is normal, especially if you have the 4.10 gears. My truck will buck at very slow speeds when you left off the throttle, as well as my trans am (except this will buck even in second gear when going slow and letting off)
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  #4  
Old 04-04-2011, 01:27 PM
04FX4LevelII 04FX4LevelII is offline
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Default Re: 04 Level II - 30K Time for Maintenance

This bucking occurs when at cruising speeds in overdrive. It does not occur when the accelerator is pressed fully or not at all. It only happens when it is barely pressed. Mine seems to happen whether its raining, snowing, or sunny, however, it happens more often when moisture outside is present.
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  #5  
Old 04-04-2011, 02:24 PM
Rubber Duck Rubber Duck is offline
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Default Re: 04 Level II - 30K Time for Maintenance

try changing the spark plugs. my '97 had this problem and after I changed a couple plugs the problem went away

Also, how long has this problem been happening?
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  #6  
Old 04-04-2011, 02:56 PM
DangerRanger2000 DangerRanger2000 is offline
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Default Re: 04 Level II - 30K Time for Maintenance

Might be a misfire, changing your plugs and wires should fix that.
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  #7  
Old 04-04-2011, 03:51 PM
Pickupman04 Pickupman04 is offline
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Default Re: 04 Level II - 30K Time for Maintenance

Quote:
Originally Posted by 04FX4LevelII View Post
This bucking occurs when at cruising speeds in overdrive. It does not occur when the accelerator is pressed fully or not at all. It only happens when it is barely pressed. Mine seems to happen whether its raining, snowing, or sunny, however, it happens more often when moisture outside is present.
Mine does the same thing and with 88k on the clock i can say its getting more frequent. like every other day. the trans fluid and filter was done this time last year so it could possibly be due it to me feels like the torque converter locking and unlocking rapidly. it never happens in succession just once every few days when the truck gets hot. And always happens under the same conditions you described.

I dont chock it up to a miss because there is no ping or miss in the exhaust tone.
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  #8  
Old 04-04-2011, 05:19 PM
04FX4LevelII 04FX4LevelII is offline
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Default Re: 04 Level II - 30K Time for Maintenance

My problem has been somewhat evident since I bought the truck in December 2010. It doesn't matter if the truck is hot or cold, it does it regardless. Mine doesn't feel like a transmission/torque converter problem. So we will see Friday when I tackle the maintenance.
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  #9  
Old 04-04-2011, 05:24 PM
tpl593 tpl593 is offline
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Default Re: 04 Level II - 30K Time for Maintenance

do all fx's have the same gears? i have 42,000 of my 05 fx level II and i dont really get that much bucking but i have a manual so it might be just from shifting into first
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  #10  
Old 04-05-2011, 08:57 AM
Pickupman04 Pickupman04 is offline
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Default Re: 04 Level II - 30K Time for Maintenance

Quote:
Originally Posted by 04FX4LevelII View Post
My problem has been somewhat evident since I bought the truck in December 2010. It doesn't matter if the truck is hot or cold, it does it regardless. Mine doesn't feel like a transmission/torque converter problem. So we will see Friday when I tackle the maintenance.
That was my best guess anyway. (i suck a diagnostics thats what obd2 is for) Keep me apprised of your results!

Quote:
Originally Posted by tpl593 View Post
do all fx's have the same gears? i have 42,000 of my 05 fx level II and i dont really get that much bucking but i have a manual so it might be just from shifting into first
4.10 rear end gears yes..
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  #11  
Old 04-05-2011, 10:44 AM
ranger024x4 ranger024x4 is offline
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Default Re: 04 Level II - 30K Time for Maintenance

there is a guy in mi with an 02 fx4 and he had the same issue. He found 1 of the sparkplugs was cracked in half. After the plug change he was happy
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  #12  
Old 04-05-2011, 02:51 PM
Rubber Duck Rubber Duck is offline
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Default Re: 04 Level II - 30K Time for Maintenance

when it happened with my truck, the CEL came on and when I read it, it said a misfire in cylinder 4. After changeing the plug, I was all good
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1997 Ford Ranger with a 4.0 engine, Regular Cab, Extended bed w/ bed cap. Dark Green. 2WD Auto trans w/overdrive. Alcoa rims. CB radio/PA. 2" front leveling kit. Heatertreater Blend door fix. 2 100 watt back-up lights. 2 100 watt front lights, soon to be 4.

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Originally Posted by OlYeller View Post
this thread went downhill fast
Quote:
Originally Posted by Muscleford View Post
Mudflaps are like a condom, they provide protection.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fordzilla80 View Post
The call of shenanigans has been answered, and it has been ruled that the declaration of shenanigans was justified.
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  #13  
Old 04-05-2011, 11:17 PM
Pickupman04 Pickupman04 is offline
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Default Re: 04 Level II - 30K Time for Maintenance

Quote:
Originally Posted by ranger024x4 View Post
there is a guy in mi with an 02 fx4 and he had the same issue. He found 1 of the sparkplugs was cracked in half. After the plug change he was happy
What!!! Like the porcelain cracked, that can be common. do you have a link?


Quote:
Originally Posted by Rubber Duck View Post
when it happened with my truck, the CEL came on and when I read it, it said a misfire in cylinder 4. After changeing the plug, I was all good

Any fore warning? were your symptoms similar to what we are experiencing?
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  #14  
Old 04-05-2011, 11:25 PM
BisketFx4 BisketFx4 is offline
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Default Re: 04 Level II - 30K Time for Maintenance

it could be ur Fuel filter
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ok cool sounds good richard! i still hate your 4x4
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  #15  
Old 04-06-2011, 02:25 AM
Rubber Duck Rubber Duck is offline
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Default Re: 04 Level II - 30K Time for Maintenance

when i had the problem, my tuck bucked at cruising speed (45-50 MPH) and not at low speed. If i took it out of O/D, the problem minimized. After 2-3 weeks of this, the CEL finely came on and after changing the plug in the cylinder, the problem vanished. It did happen again, but in a diffrent cylinder, but the same CEL and fix. If your CEL is not on yet, it will be(if its the same problem I had). When it does come on, just read it with a reader and change the plug in the problem cylinder and the problem should go away.

And no, there was no fore warning of any kind. The weather did NOT affect it at all.

any more questions or help, just ask
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1997 Ford Ranger with a 4.0 engine, Regular Cab, Extended bed w/ bed cap. Dark Green. 2WD Auto trans w/overdrive. Alcoa rims. CB radio/PA. 2" front leveling kit. Heatertreater Blend door fix. 2 100 watt back-up lights. 2 100 watt front lights, soon to be 4.

Quote:
Originally Posted by OlYeller View Post
this thread went downhill fast
Quote:
Originally Posted by Muscleford View Post
Mudflaps are like a condom, they provide protection.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fordzilla80 View Post
The call of shenanigans has been answered, and it has been ruled that the declaration of shenanigans was justified.

Last edited by Rubber Duck; 04-06-2011 at 02:27 AM. Reason: added some stuff
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