Hi. New to the forum with my first question. Just purchase a '97 150 with the 4.2L and the 5 sd. manual. Rough idle and check engine light on. So I took it to the Ford dealer service dept. Well I am paying $65 for diagnosis. $70 to replace a vacuum line with a hole, and $129 to run some cleaner through the throttle body and injectors.
The mechanic said he was getting a misfire code on #6 itermitently. He recommended they pull the manifold and clean the EGR ports. I passed on that $300 job. Will it cause a problem not having the EGR ports cleaned? Is it simple enough to tackle myself? I have a pretty good experience mechanically on pre emissions motors but not new. (yeah, I'm an old fart but feel and act young)

 

Yes Dan,this is something you can do.And while you're at it,you should change the lower intake gaskets too,so they dont fail and cause you to buy a new motor.Go to this website; it explains everything;
www.leakingfords.com

 

Hey, BlueOvalFitter, thanks for the info and the link. Very helpful.

 

If anyone can explain the process of cleaning EGR ports I would appreciate it... I could not find anything in my Haynes Manual.

just a side note... whenever I have had a sensor problem or a similar issue on my truck...the #6 cylinder always reads a misfire...Is this a just a coincidence, or what?

Thanks for all the help guys

 

MJ, my understanding is the 4.2 has an EGR port per cylinder and they become clogged very easily. When my lowers were replaced by Ford,they cleaned mine.Ever since then I keep them clean by using the SeaFoam ingestion process. I'm sure eventually i'll have to pull the upper intake and do a thorough cleaning.

 

can I get sea foam at any parts store....?

 

Carquest and NAPA.
www.SeaFoamsales.com

 

Hey BlueOvalFitter....what is the specific process you use with the SeaFoam...I assume you use the method from the above site that says to pour it in the throttle body...but I was wondering if you could give me your specific step by step process. appreciate all the help BlueOvalFitter.

 

SeaFoam is a great product. It will do a super job on carbs and throttle bodies. It the tanks it will also do some extra work cleaning those injecotors and or jets. It will also help a little on carbon in the combustion chamber. Also good in the crankcase for valves and lifter.
However, I am not sure using it in any of those places will get it into or close enough to the EGR ports to do much good. Maybe I missed something.