Questions and Answers

Ford E-250 Low End Sputter Q. Hi, I am working on a 197 Ford E-250 stripped chassis van with a 4.2 liter V-6, automatic transmission with about 6,000 hours of use. This vehicle is used as a "power unit" to tow two custom trailers for hauling guests, total gross weight with people of about 25,000 lbs. The vehicle has a low end sputter. It starts fine, idles fine, and accelerates fine. I have had no reports of loss of power.

However, when you accelerate from a stop up until about 2,000 rpm, there is a significant sputter from the exhaust which can be felt throughout the engine. It doesn't seem to be low on power as I mentioned, but it certainly smooths out and quiets when the rpms are higher.

We have replaced plugs, wires, coil, fuel filter, even the fuel pump. No improvement. Ran it for another couple of weeks to see if it was just bad gas, no luck. Any thoughts? I appreciate any advice you can offer. Let me know if you need more information.

Thank you,
Steve
St. Louis, MO

A. You may have a bad lifter that is collapsing at low RPM'S. Remove a valve cover and, with a large screwdriver, start pushing down on each rocker at the push rod side. This is done while the engine is running. You are trying to notice a change in the sound of the engine or the sound of the lifter. If you find one that is very weak it will need to be replaced.