Help needed with misfire codes
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Help needed with misfire codes
I have a 2002 e150 van. A couple weeks ago i began to tackle an engine problem that had been going on for a few weeks. I'm not mechanically inclined so this has been a pretty big project for me with lots of learning on the fly. I had a misfire on cylinders 4 and 8 and a bad coil pack on 2. I replaced the bad coil pack and the plugs in 4 and 8. The plug on 8 was a challenge because it was hard packed with dirt and I couldn't get the socket to grab on the plug. I was finally able to dig it out and replace the plug. I got it going again and now I had a misfire on 1. After replacing the plug on one I was still getting the same code. After some research I replaced the fuel filter. It ran a little better but still had some engine flutter. I finally got it to throw a code and it said misfire on 4. I replaced the coil pack on 4 and it ran better, but still not good. More research led me to replace the fuel filter, clean the mass airflow sensor and add some fuel system cleaner to a tank of gas. Better, but still not good. Finally, on a long highway incline, it threw another code. Misfire on cylinder 1 again. I'm throwing my hands up in surrender, ready to drive it into a lake somewhere. Please help. My wallet and patience are both wearing thin.
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Joined: Nov 2014
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Replace all 8 plugs. They're cheap.
Replace all 8 plug boots and springs between the coil and plug. Basically changing plug wires. Also cheap.
If you still have a misfire, replace the coil where the misfire is.
That's what I did on my 5.4. It's eaten a couple of coils. 20 years and 230000 miles.
Coils aren't cheap.
At least one of the coils on my 5.4 is $15 cheapie from RockAuto or Amazon. It works fine.
The Motorcraft coils are $35 from RockAuto. That's a good deal but still hurts to buy 8.
You could also try junkyard Motorcraft coils.
Most of the trips in my van are long (1000 - 2400 miles) these days. I keep a new Motorcraft coil and the tools to change any of the 8 (1/4" drive, extensions, wobblies, etc) in a bag under my seat. When a coil goes bad and you have to drive at freeway speed with the TC locked up, the van shakes badly. I don't want to have to drive it like that across AZ on I10...
Replace all 8 plug boots and springs between the coil and plug. Basically changing plug wires. Also cheap.
If you still have a misfire, replace the coil where the misfire is.
That's what I did on my 5.4. It's eaten a couple of coils. 20 years and 230000 miles.
Coils aren't cheap.
At least one of the coils on my 5.4 is $15 cheapie from RockAuto or Amazon. It works fine.
The Motorcraft coils are $35 from RockAuto. That's a good deal but still hurts to buy 8.
You could also try junkyard Motorcraft coils.
Most of the trips in my van are long (1000 - 2400 miles) these days. I keep a new Motorcraft coil and the tools to change any of the 8 (1/4" drive, extensions, wobblies, etc) in a bag under my seat. When a coil goes bad and you have to drive at freeway speed with the TC locked up, the van shakes badly. I don't want to have to drive it like that across AZ on I10...
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,087
Likes: 24
From: Central Florida
Replace all 8 plugs. They're cheap.
Replace all 8 plug boots and springs between the coil and plug. Basically changing plug wires. Also cheap.
If you still have a misfire, replace the coil where the misfire is.
That's what I did on my 5.4. It's eaten a couple of coils. 20 years and 230000 miles.
Coils aren't cheap.
At least one of the coils on my 5.4 is $15 cheapie from RockAuto or Amazon. It works fine.
The Motorcraft coils are $35 from RockAuto. That's a good deal but still hurts to buy 8.
You could also try junkyard Motorcraft coils.
Most of the trips in my van are long (1000 - 2400 miles) these days. I keep a new Motorcraft coil and the tools to change any of the 8 (1/4" drive, extensions, wobblies, etc) in a bag under my seat. When a coil goes bad and you have to drive at freeway speed with the TC locked up, the van shakes badly. I don't want to have to drive it like that across AZ on I10...
Replace all 8 plug boots and springs between the coil and plug. Basically changing plug wires. Also cheap.
If you still have a misfire, replace the coil where the misfire is.
That's what I did on my 5.4. It's eaten a couple of coils. 20 years and 230000 miles.
Coils aren't cheap.
At least one of the coils on my 5.4 is $15 cheapie from RockAuto or Amazon. It works fine.
The Motorcraft coils are $35 from RockAuto. That's a good deal but still hurts to buy 8.
You could also try junkyard Motorcraft coils.
Most of the trips in my van are long (1000 - 2400 miles) these days. I keep a new Motorcraft coil and the tools to change any of the 8 (1/4" drive, extensions, wobblies, etc) in a bag under my seat. When a coil goes bad and you have to drive at freeway speed with the TC locked up, the van shakes badly. I don't want to have to drive it like that across AZ on I10...
Change all the plugs because they’re cheap. Use motorcraft brand only. Get boots and springs also. Any respectable brand name.
If you still have misfire then change that misfiring coil to another one and see if the misfire follows it. Then you’ll know if it’s bad.
If you need to replace a coil (or just give up and replace them all), use Denso brand name. They are Motorcraft coils with a different sticker.
I recommend Rockauto for all the parts on this project.
noteworthy: if your spark plug well was “packed with dirt” then you have an unusual problem that needs your attention.
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