BamaDave- Our problems sound identical now. Mine has 68,000. Cleaning my MAF helped little to none also. Could we have an injector problem?

 

I have not changed any plugs or coils yet.

 

sounds like it. I haven't changed the coils, plugs, or plug wires yet either. I will probably try 'em out one at a time when I get some dough and time.

 

They had a segment on MotorWeek in reference to the MAF sensor, sometimes there is carbon build up in the lines that has to be cleaned out as well as the MAF

 

carbon build up in the lines? What lines were they referring to?

 

I believe I saw that episode and they were talking about the line feeding the EGR valve getting blocked by carbon buildup.

 

What problem with the plugs? I haven't heard anything about problems with the spark plugs, anyways I would have the dealer do my servicing anyway especially the changing of the plugs, everything seems packed in and around the engine.

 

You are correct, I remembered that after I sent the post.

 

I would bet it is a COP or an injector problem. I'm assuming you have a clean fuel filter and good gas. I would suggest going ahead with the plug change at a reputabledealer, if you don't want to tackle it. If you do takle it, make sure you have some kind of retrieval tool. Some guys are making one for about $5.

Back to the plug change. I just had mine done. The dealer followed the TSB and none broke. They said two were a little stubborn, but extra soaking took care of it. I had 65,500 miles on them and use Shell, Texaco, Conoco or Chevron. all tier one gas. I think that is important, as they have good detergent additives. The dealer has had only one plug break on the all of them they have pulled. That was on an oilfield truck that had 95,000 on it and idles much of the time, on the job.

 

Did anyone ever get this fixed? Dealer has changed seveal COPs on my 05 5.4, I cleaned the MAF, and changed the upstream O2 sensors to no avail. Mine will run strong until 3000 RPM, then everything goes to @#!^. Check engine light flashes, backfires, multiple misfire codes are set, and engine will lose power for about 20 seconds. Did plugs fix this for anyone? I've checked everything I can and replaced all 8 injectors one night after class since the new COPs didn't help. I'm trying to pay for grad school right now so I can't keep throwing money at it or afford any down time. Plugs are my last resort, but I can't imagine plugs causing this severe of a problem. Thanks!

 

Are you running an aftermarket air intake? Ford used to make mass air sensors that were mounting inside a tube. On the late model trucks, it's mounting inside the intake system. The old style mass air meters had a reliable transfer function, but when you change the intake system on the newer trucks, that transfer function programmed into the PCM may no longer work properly with your intake. You'll probably need to work with a tuner to get your transfer function corrected. The computer can only adapt so much. If it's too far out of range, it will never figure out the correct a/f metering.

 

Catmonkey, I do have a aftermarket CAI kit, using stock MAF. I still have the same problem as before. I read what you said about the a/f mix with the CAI. I don't have a programmer, and wouldn't know what to do if I did. Is there a specific programmer to use, and how would I go about fixing the a/f mix if that was the problem.

 

I'd contact a custom tuner that has experience with Ford trucks. Give 5 Star Tuning or VMP Tuning and ask them if they've developed a transfer function to use with that intake. I know Justin at VMP Tuning has worked with this problem before.

 

No CAI or programmer on mine, it's all bone stock and boring. Mine started this around 58-60,000 miles and dealer cannot fix. Acts like its starving for fuel when this happens, but fuel pump replacement did not affect at all. Last thing left seems to be plugs....want to make damn sure that's what it needs before I go ino that fiasco.

 

A cheaper way to test and see if your CAI is the issue, just replace it with a stock filter (if you still have it). It should be a lot cheaper than buying a programmer.
You'll have to let the PCM reset to adjust for using the stock filter.