For about a month now, on occasion, I have to hold the gas down a little to get the engine to catch. Any ideas?

 

I hold Rpms around 1000 until it catches and revs up to 2000.

 

Also, I'm smelling something hot or warm after it does turn over. I can hear the fuel pump and the alternator was replaced recently.

 

Check/clean your MAF sensor in the air cleaner. Also replace your fuel filter in the frame rail under the truck. What year, engine type and miles? All of that matters for diagnostics.

 

2002, 5.4, about 170k. Thanks!

 

If it helps narrow it down, the engine light is not on and no codes come up. I haven't really noticed a loss in power, but maybe that's just me. After researching the MAF and fuel filter, the fuel filter seems more likely so I'll look into that.