Forum Discussion

R_Shofner's avatar
R_Shofner
Explorer
Jun 17, 2013

460 Ford engine problem

Hopefully someone can point me in the right direction here with an engine problem. This may be long but I'll try to list all the things I noticed it doing that just started that aren't normal.

I have a 96 Holiday Rambler on an F53 chassis and a 460 Ford engine. This started about 200 miles into my trip. The engine started missing on acceleration. Once above about 2500 rpm it runs ok but there is still a little miss at times. When accelerating from a stop if you don't feather the throttle a bunch it will miss, backfire and die, and is somewhat hard to restart. Cruising down the road you can see the tach fluctuate a few hundred rpm at times even though it doesn't feel like it's missing. I was able to limp it home and now need to fix this thing.

The other thing I noticed a couple of times it quit shifting into overdrive. The first time I put it into nuetral and then back into drive a couple of times and overdrive started working again. The second time it did it I couldn't get it to shift. I drove it for about 40 miles and took a ramp and it started working again. I'm assuming the computer controls the transmission shifting also. The other thing is when it would downshift going up a hill, a couple times it downshifted too far into I'm guessing, 1st gear as it went immediately over 5000 rpm. It's always shifted at 4000 or lower. I've never seen it go that high. Could a bad computer be the cause of all this.

One other thing I noticed is the brake controller started acting strangly also. It acts like it's trying to engage the brakes. It clicks and a reading comes up on the digital readout and then goes right back out and does this several times till the engine rpm gets up above 2500 than it stops. This just may be a coincidence and a whole other problem but it's strange that it started this at the same time as the other symptoms. It's almost like an electrical surge or something.

I'm thinking possible computer problem, fuel pump or filter, or bad sensor. The other reason I'm thinking computer is with all this bad running the check engine light has never come on. You would think it would see some problem to report. Hopefully someone can chime in who has had one with similar symptoms. Thanks

37 Replies

  • Load test battery - Auto Zone or similar will do it for free.
  • Fuel delivery problem, start with fuel filter even if it has been changed recently. Could have picked up a real tank of crud recently. Hopefully not in tank fuel pump, good luck.
  • If you have not replaced the fuel filter in the past 10,000 miles, start there, it will be needed anyway, even if the problem is something completely different.

    The things you mentioned, with the tach changing RPM faster than the engine would normally rev up or slow down, indicates to me a loose wire someplace.

    Sometimes if the engine computer thinks it is pinging, then the fuel will be enriched, the engine will shift out of overdrive, and you will have reduced power. Same might happen if the ping sensor is broken or not working properly.


    Do you have any engine codes, check engine light on?

    I had to replace my oxygen sensor, and rotor and cap to pass smog the last time, I have a 97 with 45,000 miles on it.

    Of course I am guessing that you already looked for mice damage under the hood and inside the engine area?

    Good Luck!

    Fred.
  • Have you checked and/or replaced any vacuum hoses? It gets mighty hot under the hump and after 18 years they are probably in need of replacement or at least checking. Not sure how many are there as I had the similar problem with a 454 but not with the 460.
  • I have had this similar problem 96 /F53/460 pace arrow....but mine was caused by blown exhaust manifold gaskets melting the plug boots which shorted to the heads. IT TAKES A LOT TO THROW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. It will be a hard code. I put my scanner on it when I got home and absolutely no falt codes.
    MY suggestion you take it to a FORD repair center so they can put their scanner on it. It sounds like fuel but heck, who knows.Ive also changed my in tank fuel pump and filter with Ford units....cost $800.00, parts and labor. Sounds like a trans problem too..downshifting all the way to first and 5000 Rpm is not good.
    Keep us posted...
  • The running problem sounds like a fuel supply problem. Try the fuel filter first, then check your fuel pressure. If it is low then it is more than likely the fuel pump. That is a common problem on these motorhomes. Not sure about the shifting problem.