I just bought a 2002 e150 4.2 cargo and it is running rough. when i start it in the mornings it acts like it is choking and wants to cut off. when i give it some gas it smooths out. i replaced fuel filter and it did fine for about 3 days. now it is doing it again. also, it wants to cut off at stop lights and seems to hesitate when i mash the gas. can anyone help me out.

 

it sounds like it has dirty gas or a bad tps. you might try some injector cleaner in the fuel tank or take and have the tps checked

 

Anytime I change a fuel filter and it corrects the problem for a day or two and the problem comes back, I will remove the filter and see what comes out . Of course you have to drain it in the opposite direction it goes in. If I see anything come out other than clean gasoline it means I have a problem with what is in the tank.
All it requires is a little extra work, but then you know.
You also might look for a collapsed PCV hose, or any vacuum hose that could be giving you a vacuum leak.

 

i forgot to mention in my last post that when i removed the fuel filter brown, dirty gas did come out. i also ran injector cleaner through after changing the filter. what is the best way to flush out a gas tank? i heard e150's where bad with intake manifold gaskets cracking causing a vacuum leak. i will check for leaks in vacuum lines and pvc hose. thanks for everyone who responed. i am no mechanic so all the help is appreciated.

 

thanks for your help. what is a tps?

 

A TPS refers to a Throttle Position Sensor.

 

When you get dirty gas coming into the filter it usually means there is rust or other stuff in the tank that shouldn't be in there.
The best way to clean the tank is to remove it and clean it out. If careful examination shows any rust forming inside the tank , replacement is generally recommended.

I suspect you have more going on than just a fuel and filter problem since when you give it more throttle it evens out some.
Usually this is a vacuum leak situation.
Ford fuel filters are pretty big and depending on just how much stuff is restricting the filter, you may get away with changing the filter several times before having to drop the tank. You need to keep in mind that there is also a filter inside the tank that is supposed to protect the fuel pump assy. As you can see, some thing are not always cut and dried !