truckfun21

Here's a crazy thought check your EGR. It should be right by the TB. see if it is stuck open sometimes carbon get inside and clauses the valve stay open making it hard to start and poor performance secondly check the firing order seeing if the wires are connected to the correct cylinder

Summers22

iTrader: (2)

Here's an even crazier thought.....he doesn't have an EGR! Now even crazier than that..... its physically impossible to hook the wrong wires to the COPS! Wow, I hope your mind is now blown.

screamineagle

Please tell us your joking....Please???

AvidAjx

I'll look into the edge tonight. Man.. I really wish money grew on trees.. I want nothing more than to get this truck running right. So, my to do lists goes a little something like this..

First I'm going to check the coils and plugs to make sure they're motorcraft. If they're not motorcraft I'll be swapping them out.
While I'm checking the plugs and coils I'm going to take some time and really clean the throttle body. For the record, do any of you guys have a go to choice in cleaners/tools?
Lastly I'll swap out the fuel filter..

I'm really hoping that will solve some of the issues. If that doesn't work I'm assuming my next step is going to be the compression testing and looking into the timing issue as stated above.

With respects to the timing issue, what's my best course of action? From what I've read online it seems to be a pretty complex and pricey job.. Would I be better off finding a shop for this? If so, what's a reasonable price range for it? Is there anything I can do to ensure its sincerely a timing issue before I get raked at a shop?

Once again I really appreciate you guys taking the time out to help me. I think I've learned more from this group than anyone else I've worked with lol.

WIF-150

Bwahahahahahaha

joe mcmillan

The Edge wont fix any of the issues - will make reading codes more convenient.
Clean the TB with TB cleaner and a tooth or similar brush. Disconnect the battery and remove the TB to clean it.
Also clean the MAF with MAF cleaner if you have not done so yet.
After cleaning is complete - go thru the relearn process.
One of the other guys can comment on the timing issues. I have no experience on the 5.4 timing.

FST150

Your truck is pretty high in miles, have you thought about new upstream O2 sensors? I bet they could use replacing and could be throwing off your low rpm idle since they control start up fuel trims. Everyone is right though, plugs, coils, filters, oil change, and throttle body cleaning.

Summers22

iTrader: (2)

Great advice^^^ @FST150! O2 sensors on average last about 75-100k. Our trucks have 4 of them, as stated the 2 "upstream" or closest to your exhaust manifolds need changed.

AvidAjx

I have not! Thanks for the advice! I'll check online this evening to learn more about those. Do you have any experience replacing them? If so what brand would you recommend and how difficult is it?

AvidAjx

Aside from the possible "future use" of the tuning capabilities I would really like to have the ability to pull the codes. I've been having to make trips to my nearest auto parts store for too long lol. I'll look more into the MAF. Thanks for the tip!