I just recently had to replace my #6 coil and plug last weekend. The service engine light came on and was blinking periodically. At first I thought it was bad gas since it was cold as hell and I only had 1/4 tank. I refueled and the truck started to idle very rough and buck when you went up a hill. I took it to the dealer on Monday morning they ran the Diagnostic and changed the coil and told me there was moisture on my plug and it had corroded. I've talked to three other 2001 owners who have since had the same problem and my mechanic has told me he's seen a bunch of these coils going bad as well. Supposedly there is a TSB out on the coils but I have not found it. Can anyone give me any help or if there really is problem with these so-called 100K maintenace free coils and plugs shouldn't Ford do a recall
LXMan1,
I recently started having the same problem, only mine happens when the truck has been running for a while (20 mins.) shut off for 10-15 mins and then restarted. It doesn't happen when the truck is started when cold, such as overnight. Could it be a bad COP also? The check engine light only came on once, P0304 was the code. I have heard about the #4 coil going bad because of coolant leaks, but mine's dry. Also, both heads were replaced recently by Ford dealer for the infamous head gasket leaks. I am not worried about cost, as the powertrain is covered by a ext. warranty I received when I bought the truck (used). The truck has 44000 mi. I'll probably take it to the dealer to have it taken care of, but I'm curious as to what it is and any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
Guys, I might be WAAAAYYY off base, but I seem to remember something ?? about condensation from some of the AC system dripping in a place that allowed the moisture to find its wat to the same plug on all the 5.4 engines.
I don't have a 5.4 any longer so I didn't remember the details.
Anybody know more?
Hey guys,
I took a quick look at the #4 COP. It's not wet, no heater hose leaks. It's 28 degrees here so I'm not using the A/C. However, I still suspect it's the coil pack. Funny, though, how it runs fine when it's and subsequently warms up and runs until I shut it off. Only acts up after a warm start. Anyway, I will be taking it to the dealer in a day or so. I'll let you know what happens. Thanks.
Mizzleman,
if you are using the defroster or the bi-level setting, you are using the AC. The compressor runs in these modes same as AC in the summer. But, I'd imagine it far less likely you'd have frost on the AC hardware in winter. The air is typicaly much drier and the compressor cycles off much more frequently.
Anyways, let us know what you find.
Thanks.
Ok I see that I'm not alone by a stretch with the COP problem so this is what I really want to know from you Ford Owners. If everyone on this board is experiencing the same problem (so it seems) with the #4 Coil on Plug and it is a result of the design by Ford Motors why don't they issue a recall?
I know one of the guys on this board or one of the other info sections told me that for every one of us who have had problems there are many more that haven't. I guess that is true for now but it seems that eventually you are going to have a problem and it will be solely attributed to the design of having the compressor mounted above the #4 plug. To me that is something that should be recalled because we as Ford Owners can not do anything to prevent this problem from occurring other than not using the AC or Defroster.
What are your thoughts? As consumers we should matter most to Ford, there's always Chevy, Dodge, and everyone else we could buy but we choose Ford.
I took the truck to the dealer today and I should find out what the deal is tomorrow. Even on the way to the dealer, it started acting up and gave SES light. If it turns out to be the #4 coil, I've been thinking about wrapping some kind of boot over it to protect it from any future moisture.
BrianA, when I checked the coil, there was no moisture of any kind in the vicinity, either from the A/C or heater. This thought did prompt me to think about a boot for it. I'll let you all know what comes up. Thanks for the input.
I've replaced several COP's I believe because of my own negligence cleaning my engine. a week after washing it guess what, bad running engineand need to replace COP.
anyway-- the question-- why am I obsessed with a clean engine and if water is bad for it what can I use?
You need to keep water out of the spark plug pockets. It water does get in there, you can either blow them out with compressed air or just wait until it is dry before starting.
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2001 F-150 SC 5.4L Bad Coils and Moisture on Plug
