Originally posted by TourDeForce:

Thanks for the suggestion, but the item above in bold is the difference. My problem is all the time, full tank or empty, & it nearly disappears at WOT. A bad/clogged fuel pump would likely not do that. Additionally, I like to try the less expensive & easy stuff before I dawn my mechanics fatigues.

My problem turned out to be the double platinum plugs. I either got two bad sets in a row, or my car just does not like them. I installed a set of OE single platinum plugs & it has been flawless since.

I must confess that I may have toasted the first set of double plats by having my plug wires hooked up wrong. My second set, however, came with a new set of plug wires & I was VERY meticulous about how everthing went together, so no excuses there.

To the rest of you, check your plug wires:

fire wall
-------------
coil pack:
465 <-------- ** pay particular attention here - I got dyslexic **
321

Engine cylinders:
123
456

Good luck everybody! Be sure to post when you all solve your bucking/hesitation problems.

By the way, when I got this figured out, I had not yet installed a new fuel filter, so it wasn't that. I'll be installing the filter later this weekend.





I was thinking this morning the very same thing. I almost brought it this AM and dropped it off at the Ford dealer with instructions to "Fix it no matter WHAT". But I thought I would first ask what plugs are in it from the factory ? I NEVER had these problems prior to switching out the plugs. I put Autolite dbl plts in and a couple weeks later she started missing. On someone's suggestion here I replaced the plugs with another set of Autolite dbl plats and the problem went away for 3 days, but then returned with a vengeance. So on the way home I'll get what you got and R+R my set. I just have to believe that it's plugs, not the fuel filter, not the MAF, not the DPFE, nothing but the plugs. And maybe the plugs themselves aren't bad until they go into a Zetec motor ? I dunno, but I do know that I will not use them again. Thanks for all your input, I'll keep my fingers crossed that your problem stays away for good, adios.

Ken, 99 Silver Frost SE Zetec Atx, polished alloys, Kumho's, Pioneer hi power CD/AM/FM. Factory spoiler (added) Audi side lites, Borla stainless steel muff. Stolen, recovered in pieces. Looking for another Tour, preferably V6, 5 speed.