I have a 2000 5.4 with about 150000 miles. Resently I have noticed the engine is skipping and at idle and I seem to be low on power. My fuel mileage is down a couple miles to the gallon. I replaced the COP with Accels and plugs with Bosch platnium a couple of years ago. I had to replace #4 COP about 8 monthes ago due to a engine skip. One other item is the the engine has to turn over longer in order to start. I cycle the key several times and it seems to help.

Thinking fuel pump or pressure regulator, but before I get into this what is the fuel pressure at idle? What would be the fuel pressure with the engine off? Heard if I pull the vacuum hose off the pressure regulator and fuel comes out the tube the regulator is bad.

Do you have any other sugestions

 

I would try putting a code scanner on it first to see if the computer has any stored codes, then i would disconnect the battery for about 30 mins, it'll reset the computer and other electrical systems in the truck, not sure if that'll help anything, but its worth a shot. Also, have you changed the fuel filter recently? I know that helps alot with gas mileage and power, and if has never been changed, that will deprive your truck of gas.. I'd definitely start with the regulator first if none of the above helps, since dropping the gas tank sounds like an all day kinda job...just my .02!

 

the fuel filter was changed about a month ago fuel mileage or performance did not improve.

checked the computer for and codes and non were there.

got to work this morning and found the fuel pressure gauge and at idle i have 30psi. think its supposed to be around 45-55psi.

removed the vacuum line from the fuel regulator and all is dry. think i will also try that with the engine runnning.

So far looks like im removing the bed to renew the fuel pump. $360.00 from Ford.

 

Let me know how hard that is, i just always assumed to had to drop the tank, i've never seen anybody raise the bed off! Good Luck to you!

 

My old dodge did the same thing til one day it just quit on me. It has a bad fuel pump. Before you buy any parts though give this a try... as you go to start your truck, have someone bang on the gas tank with their hand a couple times while you turn the key. If it starts like it did before you had this problem then it's a given that the fuel pump is dieing.

 

Well not to be one of those who does not update here is what i had. For everyone that posted on a possible solutions thanks. I have a code reader but it did not show any codes nor had a check engine light. I ohmed the Acel Coils and all were right on the money and inspected the sparkplugs and found no problems. So not to just throw parts at it I let a local repair shop have a crack at it. This is someone I have dealt with in the past and is pretty honest. They hooked up their super-duper code reader and could not find anything. I went to the local Ford dealer and their service department was no help. Out of options I installed new coil packs and the truck did run better but still low on power. Soooooo I remove the Bosch Platum plugs that have less than 50K and installed new Autolites from Ford. Now that’s how a truck is supposed to run. The only thing I can figure is the aftermarket Acel coil packs burned out the plugs. The truck runs fantastic.

 

Found out the hard way these Triton motors are picky about plugs. Heat ranges are very important.

 

That, and Bosch Platinum plugs tend to be garbage...

From everything I have read Motorcraft OE spark plugs are the only way to go on these motors.

 

yea, bosch is crap....autolite FTW!

 

.pressure should be about 40 psi...should hold for awhile after the turn truck off