Yet more problems
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 311
Likes: 19
Yet more problems
So I’ve not had much luck with this silver turd 2001 F150 4.2/5spd. Once in a while while it was wet outside I’d get a popping sound with a correlating sensation in the gas peddle and engine acting like I’m lugging it but no codes. Fast forward to yesterday, it’s sunny and 65ish outside but dry when I get all of this but now it does it from a complete stop with a CEL that will flash at times. Get home finally and pull only a P0301 for cylinder one misfire. Spark plugs and wires I replaced two years ago at around 28k miles. Truck now has 43k miles on it. It does have an external coolant leak but as far as I can tell it doesn’t get any coolant near the passenger side of the block. How likely is my issue related to the coil pack?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
How are the plug wires routed, are they contacting metal engine parts anywhere? Find somewhere at night where it is totally dark, turn off all lights(may have to pull the headlight fuse), open the hood and rev the engine, if you get a lightshow of arcing that is bad, everywhere there is a spark the wires need to be inspected for damage and separated or replaced. Plastic wire loom can be useful to separate plug wires but keep it well away from the exhaust.
Damp/Wet weather misfiring that goes away when it's dry does indicate a failing coil pack in my experience.
Damp/Wet weather misfiring that goes away when it's dry does indicate a failing coil pack in my experience.
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 574
Likes: 146
Are the plugs and wires all Motorcraft ? If not, that could be the problem.
Also just check to see if both ends of all the wires are fully seated.
Also pull the plug to see if it has any carbon tracking or other signs of problems.
Also just check to see if both ends of all the wires are fully seated.
Also pull the plug to see if it has any carbon tracking or other signs of problems.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,533
Likes: 2,661
From: Near Salt Lake City
Check the fuel pressure
The popping is most likely a lean misfire
i have one and did just that
3 fuel pumps later I had to replace the rusted tank
I would have good fuel pressure at times then drop to 18 lbs and pop like crazy
Barely made it home several times
Cycling the key got my pump pressure back to good momentarily
Good luck
The popping is most likely a lean misfire
i have one and did just that
3 fuel pumps later I had to replace the rusted tank
I would have good fuel pressure at times then drop to 18 lbs and pop like crazy
Barely made it home several times
Cycling the key got my pump pressure back to good momentarily
Good luck
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 311
Likes: 19
How are the plug wires routed, are they contacting metal engine parts anywhere? Find somewhere at night where it is totally dark, turn off all lights(may have to pull the headlight fuse), open the hood and rev the engine, if you get a lightshow of arcing that is bad, everywhere there is a spark the wires need to be inspected for damage and separated or replaced. Plastic wire loom can be useful to separate plug wires but keep it well away from the exhaust.
Damp/Wet weather misfiring that goes away when it's dry does indicate a failing coil pack in my experience.
Damp/Wet weather misfiring that goes away when it's dry does indicate a failing coil pack in my experience.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 311
Likes: 19
They are indeed motorcraft but if I have to replace them I’ll get quality aftermarket. I’m very unimpressed with this “Built Ford Tough” longevity. I’ll be sure to pull the plugs this weekend when I get off work to check.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 311
Likes: 19
Check the fuel pressure
The popping is most likely a lean misfire
i have one and did just that
3 fuel pumps later I had to replace the rusted tank
I would have good fuel pressure at times then drop to 18 lbs and pop like crazy
Barely made it home several times
Cycling the key got my pump pressure back to good momentarily
Good luck
The popping is most likely a lean misfire
i have one and did just that
3 fuel pumps later I had to replace the rusted tank
I would have good fuel pressure at times then drop to 18 lbs and pop like crazy
Barely made it home several times
Cycling the key got my pump pressure back to good momentarily
Good luck
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 311
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I don’t know, all I know is I was seeing 40 something percent while the misfires were happening with the live scan tool.
in question hasn’t really been used for much other than keeping an eye on coolant temp, rpm’s, and short term fuel trims. The last one only because of the isolator bolts causing a leak when I got the truck.
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 311
Likes: 19
So I replaced the coil pack and that fixed my issues for about 400 miles and now cylinder two had a misfire. I noticed a couple of rough starts and just happened to look down and see that the SES light was on. The truck seems to drive fine other than those two rough idle starts. Not sure what to do at this point
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2019
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Plugs and wires I replaced at around 30k miles two years ago. Truck now has almost 44k and I did use motorcraft. The check engine light cleared itself though which is strange because I didn’t think it could do that without a dead battery or me clearing it
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2019
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Well the light is out but the code still shows when scanning for it. Is it possible for a bad battery to cause a miss? I’ve had the truck for a little of three years now and haven’t had to change the battery yet. I don’t see how it can but I’m no mechanic either.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,920
Likes: 515
A battery would be EXTREMELY unlikely to cause a misfire.