I have an '08 Explorer, (4 cyclinder) with 68,000 km. I have noticed recently that the gas pedal will stick and I am unable to apply downward pressure. Normally there is a smooth pedal action, but suddenly it will not allow me to push down no matter how hard I try, then the next second if I reposition my foot or remove my foot from the treadle, it pushes down smoothly.... Its only happened a couple of times over the last month. I've checked to make sure nothing is blocking the gas pedal. Any suggestions thanks.

 

2008 Ford Escape, Inline 4. Over time the gas pedal gets sticky, the problem is manufacturer induced. There should be a class action suit. The idiots designed the PCV air plumbing to dump into the intake just upstream of the butterfly valve. This allows the sticky PCV air to flow across the top of the butterfly valve and body. This creates a very dangerous situation. Once it becomes sticky you have to play with the gas pedal, sometimes pushing down quite a bit to brake it loose resulting in the car wanting to take off. It's easy to fix with a can of carb/fuel-inj. cleaner, a rag, and something to hold the butterfly open. Just remove/reposition the section of intake between the air filter housing and engine to access the butterfly (takes a flat tip screwdriver to loosen two clamps). Push on the bottom of the butterfly or have someone push down the gas pedal. Wear rubber gloves, spray the butterfly with cleaner, soak the rag with cleaner and clean the inside of the valve and housing, particularly the upper section, that's where the sticking occurs. I have 110,000 mi on my Escape and have had to do this 3 times.

 

Somewhat confused. You state the vehicle is an 08 EXPLORER in your write up. If it is a ESCAPE 4 cyl. then more then likely your throttle body is sticking due to the fact that it is made out of PLASTIC and not aluminum like all the other ones. Common issue.

 

The reason it sticks is because the manufacturer purposely plumbed the oily PCV air to flow over the butterfly, which over time becomes sticky.