So about a month ago the old Navigator was getting finicky about starting first thing in the morning when it was cold out. At first it seemed like the engine was turning a bit slow, and it was flooding so I replaced the battery. For about a week things were good and I figured the problem was solved. Wrong, back it came and has been a thorn in my side for the past three weeks. Well not really, it has actually been a thorn in the wife's side because she drives it this time of year. Naturally that makes HER a thorn in my side, not the truck.

My main clues were, flooding, a smell of gasoline, and if left to sit until it got warmer out it would start. One time when it wouldn't start I connected my scanner and could see the ECM was getting a pulse from the crank sensor. So I've been mulling over in my head, what could cause the engine to not start and cause flooding. Then it hit me, the truck has 150K on it and when I bought it there was around 125K on it. So I figured the original owner didn't change the spark plugs at 100K like he was supposed to. If the plugs were worn and had excess gap then there would be difficulty in generating spark during the cold temperatures.

Fast forward to today, 25 degrees out, truck wouldn't start no matter what I did. That left me under the hood doing the BS job of changing spark plugs today. The gap is supposed to be .52 and the 8 plugs I removed had gaps that ranged from .85 to .95 or roughly 70-82% of a larger gap than was supposed to be there. They were the original Motorcraft AWSF-32P spark plugs that were installed at the factory back in 2001. Put everything back together and it fired right up.

I guess the moral of this story is that if you are not the original owner, then you can't be sure everything that was supposed to be done, was!

 

Uummm, I see you have an '01, but we need your engine size, 2X or 4X4 etc.

We need more information if you want us to help you..............

 

I guess I didn't see that he needed any help from us LOL.

 

Although I'd like to think I'm overdue to be on the receiving end of some helpful advice, I don't think I need it right now. I was simply conveying my experience for the benefit of others.

 

Hey alloro,

Thanks for sharing your experience.

You still got the original COPs in there?
I'm surprised that you didn't have any misfires with those gaps.
(COPs must still be pretty potent. )

 

The two COP covers were stuck on real tight and showed no signs of ever having been removed. All of the COPS seemed to be identical to each other and considering the plugs were original, I'll go with the COPs all being original too.

Not one misfire, not one trouble code nor pending trouble code. BTW, if you ever have to do a plug change on a 4 valve with the hidden COPs, make sure you have a long pry bar handy to move the EGR pipe out of the way of COP #8, it runs right above it.

 

yep lots of people now days cant even change their battery or wiper blades...you expect them to change spark plugs! LOL believe me I worked at Autozone for few months and it was crazy how ignorant some people were and or lazy...a few had legitimate issues that they couldnt do stuff but 95% of the people needing a battery changed or wiper blades installed were perfectly capable of doing so.

 

I used to always have Sears replace my batteries. I figured that if I ever took a road trip, that even on a Sunday at 4pm I could get it replaced anywhere in the country.

Well my was battery dead and I had an appointment at 8am Monday.

It's 6pm on Sunday, Sears Auto Centers in the area close at 7pm.
I called both, they can't change a battery as the are no longer allowed to work overtime. No matter how much I plead, they won't do it.

Now, the last time I checked, it didn't take THAT long to test and change a battery. No manager available to speak with. I'm getting frustrated and stressing out as I have to keep the appointment the next morning.

My better half asks "Did you call AAA?",
Me: "No, I don't need a jump.",
Her: "I think they do batteries",
Me: Grabs phone.

Yes, AAA does do batteries, gives a warranty, fully tests the system, and WILL COME TO YOU AT 3AM and replace the battery even under warranty replacement any where you are in the country.

The price of the battery was reasonable, but knowing that at least that battery is covered 24/7 for the next 3 (maybe 5) years was well worth it to me.

Just thought I'd share, didn't mean to hijack the thread.

Oh, and I'll NEVER go to a Sears Auto Center ever again.
BTW: I called the Store Manager that week, he was like "Eh".
You just gotta love the Customer Service... NOT!

 

Why that's an exception piece of information for those that travel, as well as for those that don't.

 

It's been a week so I figured I'd post a follow-up for anyone in the same boat. Truck is running great and has started every single time.