reptile80

I have a 1998 F150 4.2l and recently I have been having issues with it starting hard, having to pump the gas peddel about 5 times to get it to start up. After it starts the idle is very rough and stays that way. I have already changed out:
Fuel Pump
Fuel Filter
Coil Pack
EGR Valve
IAC Vavle
Spark Plugs
Spark Plug Wires
PCV Valve
Both rubber elbows for the PCV
Cleaned the MAF

Not sure what to do next, check fuel pressure, check vacuum lines, check the intake gaskets? Does this sound like a fuel issue, or vacuum issue? I dont think its an ignition issue, just acts like it doesnt want to start until you pump the pedel, and once its running its rough, almost like a miss. I have only gotten the codes for a miss fire on cyclinder 3 and 6, and once a code for lean bank 1 or 2 I can't remember which.

Any help is greatly appreciated,

Thanks.

otto457

Have you checked around the base of the throttle body and intake for vacuum leaks? The 4.2's like to leak in those places. Clean the throttle body while you're in there. Might also want to change the injectors to another cylinder if the line pressure is good and see if the misfire code follows the injector.

reptile80

I have checked as good as I can, didnt find any. I will check again when I get home. As far as cleaning the Throttle body, do you just use Carb Cleaner, or do they make a special cleaner for it?

otto457

They make a special cleaner for throttle bodies, but I just use carb cleaner. There's suppose to be a teflon coating inside the throttle body to keep it from gumming up, but it still gets dirty.

reptile80

Just so I make sure I am doing the right thing, how would you check for the vacuum leaks and the throttle body is where the throttle linkage at.

otto457

Listen around the area for any sucking sounds, visually look for cracks around the gaskets and connection areas, then spray ether or carb cleaner around the area and listen for changes in idle. If the idle changes, the ether is getting in there through a leak. The gasket around the base of the throttle body will be the first point of attack.

reptile80

I appreciate the help, I will be checking it this weekend when I get home.

clad

Those engines have problem with head gaskets. But usually the right front cylinder with get some antifreeze in it while setting over night and after a short warm up time all cylinders with start firing. They also have a valve on the back of the intake that opens after 4000 rpms to open the longer intake runners. My brother had his head gasket replace on his and it did the same as yours. Mechanic didnt reconnect that rear intake valve and an oxygen sensor was bad.

reptile80

Ok so I did a compression test on the motor:

60 PSI in two cylenders, 90 PSI in the others.

I also found all the front intake manifold bolts only finger tight (dont think this would cause low compression, would it?), and the fuel pressure regulator had fuel in the vacuum line. I am planning on replacing the long block and any and all sensors that dont give me the warm fuzzy feeling.

Any suggestions on easy ways to pull the motor are appreciated.

AMOCO

This is what happen to my truck and I just got it back running a week ago.It was 5 and 6 cylinders that had antifreeze in them and even seized the engine,But once the head gaskets were done everything loosened up and its running great.
But I still have a start p issue.