Allingtonj

I have a 1997 E150 Van V6 (with 82000 miles) which is running very rough when put in gear and under light acceleration or cruising speeds. It seems to idle fine, maybe a slight bit of roughness. If you romp on it in acceleration, it seems to be smoothish... but might be light on power. As soon as you put it in gear, the engine shakes. Press on the accelerator pedal loading up the engine and it shakes more.

The problem cropped up one day and lasted for about 1 hour of driving. Codes for cylinder number 2 missfire and left bank lean showed up. Then the problem went away for 2 months.

Now the problem has come back and still going after 2 weeks of use. This time I cleared the codes without checking them and they did not come back... despite the problem still existing.

My guess is that the problem is on the right side. But have checked sparks and plugs again.

I have changed out the following parts because I am better at changing parts than trouble shooting:
1) Spark plugs (last year) - Autolite... not the Bosch problem plugs
2) Coil - friends say this solved many of their problems inthe past
3) Plug wires
4) EGR valve - worth a shot
5) Cleaned the MAF sensor - with approved cleaner
6) Fuel Filter - 5 month ago
7) Checked for vacuum leaks

Fuel pressure?
Catalyst problem?
Injectors?
Major cyclinder malfunction of piston or valves?
An undetected vacuum leak?
Coolant loss into the cylinder disrupting combustion?
Other Emissions component?
Sensor?

I should probably check compression next.

If someone could give me advice before I spend any more money.

Bert

I'd clean the MAF with MAF cleaner and see if that helps. Try that and post back.

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Bert

Allingtonj

Tried the cleaning of the MAF sensor with official cleaner 3 times now.

I have changed out the following parts
1) Spark plugs (last year) - Autolite... not the Bosch problem plugs
2) Coil - friends say this solved many of their problems inthe past
3) Plug wires
4) EGR valve - worth a shot
5) Cleaned the MAF sensor - with approved cleaner
6) Fuel Filter - 5 month ago
7) Checked for vacuum leaks

Today, due to interstate driving, I got a new set of codes:

P0122 TPS Predal Position Sensor A - Low input
P0302 Cyl 2 Misfire
P0123 TPS Pedal Positin sensor- High Input
P1121 Manual control fuel/Air Metering
P0171 System Lean Bank 1 (Left)

I changed the TPS sensor. Changed spark plugs again with Champion Copper instead of Autolite Platinums. 2 year old Platinums had carbon buildup.

No improvement. Still runs rough under any load. does maybe ok sometimes, but low on power and shakes hard most of the time.

I am about to change the MAF sensor. Otherwise, I am starting to think cylider compression or injector.

any further thoughts?

Bert

With those codes it could be a wiring problem. Power and grounds also. If you unplug the MAF and it runs good, the MAF is the problem. If not, I'd have a shop check it out. You probably spent more on some of those parts than it would for a shop to check it.

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Bert

arensbak

Try ignition control module, Just fixed my 1994 e350. The symptoms sounded much the same.

Allingtonj

Thank you for everyone's assistance and recommendations.

Turns out it was Cylinder #2 injector. Must have been mechanically stuck because it still clicked. Just made a major mis-fire at almost every load and idle. Once I replace injector #2 it purrred like a kitten.

All in all I was probably $450 on random part changes. Local trusted shop quoted $600 for one injector and $1200 for all injectors.

I like working on engines, so no regrets. But if It would have been diagnosed and fixed for $600 it would have been worth it in the beginning.

Done.

Bert

Thanks for the update. Glad it's working now.

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Bert