hesitation under load - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

easywind · 02-10-2012, 00:13

2003 Taurus, vulcan engine, 61,000 miles and the car hesitates under load. I just put in plugs. Any thoughts?

**R.S.LOGAN** · 02-10-2012, 02:43

Checked the plug wires / leads ?

easywind · 02-10-2012, 10:10

No, what should be done? Should they be replaced? I would rather not be throwing parts at the problem. Thanks for the answer.

**R.S.LOGAN** · 02-10-2012, 11:14

Could be one of the plug wires breaking down under load , dropping that cyl. and causing slight misfire .Case of checking , testing or replacing wires if needed but other possible causes if not that .

**R.S.LOGAN** · 02-10-2012, 11:39

Could also check and clean MAF sensor if needed if it's not leads / wires .

RickMN · 02-12-2012, 08:35

R.S. Logan is right on the money. I'd clean MAF first (see post below) and then I'd install a premium set of wires if the problem is still there.

Clean MAF sensor

easywind · 02-12-2012, 20:31

Thanks, will replace wires tomorrow and clean maf. Happened today, seems it happens when car is hot and today while trying to pass someone the car acted like a bucking bronco. Also put the car in neutral and revved up till about 5,000 rpm and it did not miss a beat.
Also I got another suggestion that it may be the camshaft synchronizer. I'm going to try to get codes read tomorrow.

**360ci** · 02-17-2012, 19:53

First, I gotta say it... do not rev the car in neutral close to redline! By all means, do it if you want to damage the engine... without a load on the engine the parts freely spin and too sudden of an RPM raise or drop can cause damage - the higher and faster the worse it can be on the engine. Newer vehicles are limited to 3000-4000rpm in neutral (or park) because of this. Rev limit depends on redline or fuel cutoff of course.

So, providing the gap on the plugs was correct when they were installed, the MAF as mentioned is one thing to check and clean. While you have the intake nearly off, it's wise to check and even clean the throttle body. Check the air filter and make sure no animals have made nests in the airbox.

The car hesitates like it won't shift properly? Or it's just very slow to rev even going downhill? If you haven't done a transmission service, it's now due. A dirty or faulty IAC can also cause grief. Cam position sensor is another possibility, especially with revving it in neutral!

With 61K, I doubt compression would be an issue, but check all the fluids, namely coolant and engine oil. If any look like chocolate milk then a bad head gasket is to blame. I say this only because I knew someone who had a 2000 Taurus and at a mere 26,000kms, the head gasket went...