HELP! 01 Bullitt cuts out at 4000rpm when warm

[razgrize]

I just got an 01 true blue bullitt with 73000 miles. I find that when it's warmed up, it cuts out and acts like it's hitting a rev limiter. It only happens when I get on it, and if I just wind it out slowly it's fine. I also noticed that it gets worse the longer I drive it in one shot; the other day I was taking some time to drive it around and try to figure it out, and after awhile it started acting up even before the 4000 range, and with even less throttle applied.

I checked and found no loose wires, unplugged to MAF to see if it was causing it, and checked the O2 sensors, but they didnt even throw a code. I bought a fuel filter but havent gotten around to installing it yet. I was gonna pick up injector cleaner as well. I also noticed a sticker on the radiator cover that shows it was re-tuned at one point by a Ford dealer. Could it have been mistakenly tuned with normal GT settings? I can't figure it out. I tried to poor out all of the things I found out in one shot, but if I think of anything else I'll post it. Please help!

EDIT: By the way, I searched, but only seemed to find posts regarding 5.0 cars.... Sorry if this has already been covered

 

[46stang]

The updates Ford do goes by the Vin of your car so it only updates the software for your pcm and cant be mixed up with a gt vin.
It sounds like you have a bad coil or coils. Does the check engine light come on or flash? you could also have a fuel pump taking a dump. I would change your filter and if it is still acting up check your fuel pressure with a guage.

 

[COBRA90GT]

Any mods on that car (especially a chip/tune) ?

 

[Tim2002GT]

I had similar symptoms with my car when my fuel pump started crapping out. Turned out it wasn't so much the fuel pump being bad as the fact it had a bunch of junk clogging the mesh pre-filter connected to the pump itself.

 

[razgrize]

Sorry, I've been working. I forgot to mention that it's stock, and that when it warms up and the symptoms start, there is a steady surging/pulsating vibration that feels/sounds like the fuel pump. I just have so many suspicions that I wanted to see if it happened to anyone else so that I didn't waste my money on fixing something that wasn't broke.

On a side note: Just ordered wheels and a short throw!

 

[Rusty67]

Pull the plugs out and check them. I've seen these 4.6 motors eat the electrode on the plugs. You may also want to pull the fuel pump out and check for debris the next time your tank gets low on gas. Does the it change when you have a full or empty tank of gas ?

 

[razgrize]

Honestly I'm not sure whether its if the tank is full or not... I just got it about two weeks ago and the weather hasn't been the greatest since then. I filled it up before I drove it home, and didn't really get on it till I was almost home with around 1/2 a tank, which is when I noticed the problem. Just found a blown fuse though. Gonna take a look at what it goes to tomorrow.

 

[umachme]

I'm chasing the same problem in my brothers '02. We had a bad intake leaking coolant into the first couple driver side plugs. Replaced the intake and 2 coils, added a TB/plenum at the same time and new plugs. We have a good idle now, but get that same stumble. I'm going to have him replace the pump/filter next. One weird thing--I'll bleed all the air out of the fuel line and it just keeps coming back.

Keep us updated--I hate to buy 6 more coils for nothing...No Codes either.

 

[Rusty67]

You would provably get a code if you needed to replace the coils. The Bullitt's came with a really good intake manifold and don't need to be upgraded usually so don't worry about that.

Try running the car with a full tank and see how it goes. Also, check the plugs as they are provably due to be replaced.

 

[bullitt 736]

You would provably get a code if you needed to replace the coils.

Not necessarily.

 

[merc123]

My race car did this... I know it's a different type of car but it would rev up to 5300 RPM and not go any further. It would pop and crack and sound like it was hitting a rev limiter chip.

Turned out to be spark plugs even though they looked perfect. I replaced the distributor, wires, fuel filter, carb and a whole bunch of other stuff before changing the plugs. Start cheap then go up.

Change the plugs first.

 

[ForPointSex]

Mine 2002GT did that when the fuel pump was dying. If you have a way to measure fuel pressure it will telll you if it's bad.

 

[rjtantillo]

My 01 Saleen is doing the same thing, I just changed the fuel pump, looks like I'll have to change the plugs also.