I have a 2001 Ford Taurus with 198k miles on it. My problem is it sputters and jerks and act like its running out of gas after only riding around for about 45mins and I usually just pull off to the side of the road and turn the key off and turn it right back on and the car will run fine for about 30minutes then it will start to sputter and jerk again as if its running out of gas. Once before while I was pulling off to the side of the road I put the pedal to the floor and the car didnt even react to it. Turning the key off and turning it back on temporarily fixes the issue EVERY time. I just drive the car to work and back home due to this issue. I dont want to go out and buy a fuel pump when I dont really need one due to the cost of a fuel pump on these cars. Ive been thinking it could be the fuel pressure regulator also. Anyone ever experienced these issues before? The car has been doing this for almost 2 years now and now it jerks and sputters all the time but its still drivable (mild jerks and sputters). Everytime it sputters the rpm guage takes a dip then bounces back out to the normal rpm. I work 20mins away from home and thats the only reason ive been able to slide with this issue.

Also the car sputters when I start it up in the mornings also then it levels out. While the car is in park it runs perfect and when I put it in drive or reverse it sputters and jerks. I was thinking that if it would be the fuel pump it would have tooken a dump already but almost 2 years later its still running and thats another reason im thinking it could be the fuel pressure regulator.

Any advice is really appreciated, Thanks

 

Without being able to say exactly what is causing the problem, suggest you check all electrical connections from battery to everything it supplies including fuel pump circuit. When was the last time the fuel filter was changed?

 

My thoughts...

Which engine? Being a 2001, when was the last time the plugs were changed? Symptoms are the same as my son had on his 2000 Taurus with the DOHC engine. Ended up being the plugs causing a mis-fire under light loads without any codes/lights being set. Found the COP boots were loosing their ability to keep water out and was causing the mis-fires. Replaced the plugs and installed new COP/Boot assemblies. Used dielectrical grease and all has been good for the past year+.

 

I changed the fuel filter about 3 months ago and it made no difference at all.

I have the 3.0 sohc. I'm going to changed the plugs and wires and see if that fixes it.

 

There is only the 3.0 OHV and the 3.0 DOHC engine, no 3.0 SOHC. If you're replacing plug wires you have the 3.0 OHV Vulcan engine as the 3.0 DOHC has no plug wires. If it's the 3.0 OHV, with that many miles, I would also spend the $ and replace the coil pack. If anything, it will increase your performance/mileage as this is a age/heat failure item.

 

When it does this again, go to the tailpipe and feel how much pressure is coming out while someone gives it a little gas. Then turn it off and start it as you say and see how much pressure is there. If there is a big difference, the exhaust is starting to plug. Possibly the converter. Do the previous suggested repairs first.