LOSS OF POWER WHEN OVER 50mph

[pondod]

Need help with a 90 Ford E150 1/2 ton Van. Having problems with loss of power when getting over 50-55 mph. begins to hesitate and chug. Anyone out there have any ideas?

[amac209]

replace the fuel filter. i bet it's plugged up solid.you might need a special tool to get it off, some of the older ones had plastic tabs that just pop off. if you have a metal clip on wither side of the filter buy a quick disconect tool that. you need the metal tool with 2 sizes, looks kind of like scissors, spray the fittings with wd-40 before trying to remove it. oh yeah the filter is located in the drivers side frame rail. good luck!! hope this helps

[pondod]

Thanks will try!!

[Doug Rodrigues]

You've got a good response so far, but here is one that probably nobody thought of...IF the other recommendations don't work:

I know...this will sound crazy but it's true. Corroded battery cables can affect the computer and cause engine cut-out and even complete power loss at high RPM. The typical situation is a full throttle acceleration to high RPM followed by the engine dying...like somebody turned off the ignition switch. The engine will start right back up but die each time at full throttle and high RPM. If you've run out of ideas and your problem continues, try using jumper cables from the ground terminal to frame to add to the grounding of the battery. You may have to try that technique with the positive terminal too. If the engine running problem disappears, then you know you should replace those corroded battery cables. Often the cables look okay, that is until you peel-off the covering. Yeah...I know....Doug's nuts to say this...but it's true.

[tomphiii]

Originally Posted by amac209

replace the fuel filter. i bet it's plugged up solid.you might need a special tool to get it off, some of the older ones had plastic tabs that just pop off. if you have a metal clip on wither side of the filter buy a quick disconect tool that. you need the metal tool with 2 sizes, looks kind of like scissors, spray the fittings with wd-40 before trying to remove it. oh yeah the filter is located in the drivers side frame rail. good luck!! hope this helps

I have an 2002 model with the same problem. My wife is the daily driver and noticed this about a month ago. She told me about it and I test drove it to see what the problem was. And like always, It never happened while I drove it. She says the problem has just gotten really bad over the last week or so. That's when it dawned on me to look at the fuel filter. I thought it might be either the fuel delivery or air choking out.
I changed the air filter then the fuel filter. If you read the manual on this, it tells you to change the fuel filter at 35,000 miles. I did this at 60,000. Oops! But it had plenty of flow anyway, as we have never used junk gas.
We went on a trip to the lakes today and I noticed that it did it mostly when under load going up hills, not at a higher RPM. It did it as well at low speeds and rpm's going up hill. I'm at a loss.
I took the cowlling off to listen for a misidle. The engine ran persistant without any hesitation until under load. Now, I'm starting to think it might be something electrical or even a vacuum problem.
I have no idea. Anyone have anything new?

[danford1]

My guess is it needs new spark plugs. Chugging and loosing power under load is a sign of old worn plugs.
If it has over 60,000 miles, new wires would help too.
JMO
Danford1

Originally Posted by tomphiii

I have an 2002 model with the same problem. My wife is the daily driver and noticed this about a month ago. She told me about it and I test drove it to see what the problem was. And like always, It never happened while I drove it. She says the problem has just gotten really bad over the last week or so. That's when it dawned on me to look at the fuel filter. I thought it might be either the fuel delivery or air choking out.
I changed the air filter then the fuel filter. If you read the manual on this, it tells you to change the fuel filter at 35,000 miles. I did this at 60,000. Oops! But it had plenty of flow anyway, as we have never used junk gas.
We went on a trip to the lakes today and I noticed that it did it mostly when under load going up hills, not at a higher RPM. It did it as well at low speeds and rpm's going up hill. I'm at a loss.
I took the cowlling off to listen for a misidle. The engine ran persistant without any hesitation until under load. Now, I'm starting to think it might be something electrical or even a vacuum problem.
I have no idea. Anyone have anything new?

[ModMech]

All modular engines (gas engines in vans from '97 onward) have platinum plugs installed from the factory. They are good for AT LEAST 100,000 miles. An '02 Econoline van does not have plug wires, but eight individual coils one for each plug that sit directly on top of the plugs. They are prone to failure, and would cause this.

If your van has undre 36,000 miles on it, take it to the dealer and let them figure it out. If over, have it scanned for any codes, and repair as indicated (most likely there are misfire codes).

[Expeditor]

I'm having the same problem . The computer tells me I have misfires but won't tell me which cylinder it is. We have swapped around the coils with a new one but doesnt seem to make a differrence. We already replaced like 3 coils. Also we have already changed air filter, fuel filter, mass air flow sensor, checked compression, reset computer. Anymore ideas.

[5148]

Same problem. 2000 4.6 V8. Hesitates under load. Not as bad with cruise on,
but still will hesitate under load. No check engine light. New plugs and fuel filter. Idles great.

[moonjohn]

Twice I’ve had a similar problem.

One, when going up a hill the car lost power and wouldn’t shift. I thought the transmission was gone.

Another car started and ran fine but wouldn’t go over 10 mph.

Both times it was a plugged exhaust system (catalytic converter and/or muffler).

Tested by dropping the exhaust pipe at the exhaust manifold.
Both times the cars then ran fine.