Maybe bad spark plugs?

[Pipanski]

My 91 4.0L Ranger was not in use for about 8 months. Then when my escort died on me I got it running and have been driving it for about 3 weeks. The problem is that I was living 200 miles from my truck. Well It had about 5/8 tank of old gas which I didn't really think about till I left for the 200 mile trip home. I had been driving it for a weekend before I left and didn't have any problems. A little bit into the trip the cruising down the high way the truck kinda....hiccuped I guess you could say. It did this maybe ever 15-25 minutes. I stopped half way and filled up with 93. Towards the end of the trip it seemed to not do it as much...I guess. Then it didn't do it for a day or two and then it did it on my way to work and hasn't done it since (about 10 days ago) I'm about to make that 200 mile trip again this Friday. I pulled a plug and it looked a little white but not horrible.


I need to fill up and was gonna put 93 in just in case...just for this trip...and change the plugs. I was wondering if anybody thought this was a good/unnecessary idea.

I guess I'm just a little nervous since my escort died *Exactly* half way on this trip the last time I made it (which was a big surprise to me and really screwed me) The truck has ran great since I got it...I think I have only had to replace the alternator.

Any ideas/suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks,
David

 

[Nhaz]

sounds like old gas with a small amount of water in it. throw some gas line antifreeze in or or the water removal stuff. and new gas of course.

 

[shadetree]

93 octane does nothing 87 doesn't do. Change your fuel filter. I would clean the MAF. Check the condition of your plug wires. One or more could be arcing over. shady

 

[Pipanski]

Well if the gas is 8 months old the octane rating will have dropped, therefore adding 93 will raise it up so that it doesn't ping.

And I do plan on sea foaming it Monday when I get off of work, after I make the 400 mile round trip.

And the MAF is clean.