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I say stumble because I don't really know how to classify what it is doing. Also I can't equate it to any certain time, temperature or condition. All I know is that upon accelerating and sometimes later on while still accelerating the engine stumbles. I just got this van which has 177K on it and the only CEL it has thrown was for the cat convertors on the drivers side, which I had replaced. Still evaluating fuel mileage so I don't know yet what is a good average for it in my line of work. Is it possible that the right bank of convertors is my issue? I wanted to do both sides initially but didn't have $1400 to spare.
Any guidance is greatly appreciated!!
Got an '05 with a 5.4, had 173K on it when I got it, after couple added thousand, it was skipping, stumbling or mis-firing on the highway.
No CEL, No codes shown.
First thought was the plugs, I pulled the "original" plugs out that were really over gap'ed and install new Motorcraft plugs, wires and boots, ran smooth and lost the stumbling. Suggest you try new plugs first and it's a lot cheaper that a new cat.
Thanks, I'll take a look into that. Got me baffled. If it did it consistently it might be easier to pinpoint, but it does it off and on. As further info, I use it to make deliveries around town. A lot of turning engine on/off and times when it's left running.
Update....haven't changed plugs yet, it has COP's so I don't have to worry about wires. Today, though, the temp in town was 30 degrees colder than normal and it stumbled only twice. That's about an 80% reduction in a regular day's count. Does this help steer me in a certain direction?
Thanks all !!
Thanks Wildman. Putting all symptoms out to try to pinpoint the cause of the stumble. From what I have seen and heard so far it could be electrical, fuel or even exhaust related. I don't have the extra cash to chase the cause unfortunately.
Final Update....thanks to Amazon I was able to get a new set of coils/boots/springs and Motorcraft plugs for $58.00. Took about 5 hrs to install and today I put about 100 miles on it without a "stumble." Old boots looked alright for the most part but I pulled NGK plugs out with some having very little electrode left and definitely over-gapped.
Your worn NGK reminds me of the New Bosch Platinum plugs I bought at Advance Auto once. Hardly enough electrode to justify any added cost to platinum plate. It's there and you can see it if you squint!
I was always worried the first spec of ash or
drop of oil would kill that cylinder.
Yeah, Wildman, a few of the plugs stunned me. We're talking about just the tip of a needle remaining. Don't know how it ran and idled as good as it did! Never took one of those coil assemblies apart and like you said it was cheap piece of mind to replace the whole shebang.
