Hi guys, I've run into a situation. I took my truck into Middas to have the plugs and wires replaced. Both were bosch and i believe that the plugs were single platinum.

After the replacement my check engine light came on and now she has almost no power to her and at idle (not in park, but stopped) it feels like it wants to die. Also, when accelerating there is a loud, rapid clicking in the engine compartment. I get the feeling that Middas is going to find a way to blame me since I had them use my parts and make me pay for it again.

My question is, what are the designations of the distributor cap and also the engine cylinders?

Distributor cap:

[?] [?]
[?] [?]
[?] [?]
<--Driver Seat

Engine:

[?] [?]
[?] [?]
[?] [?]
<--Drier Side

I can't find it in haynes and lol FTE is too busy for me to be able to use the search. Thank you for your time.

 

Sorry, I have a '98 Ranger, 4x4 4.0L. I have no idea if it is an over-head cam or anything.

 

If you had taken it to a real mechanic, i'd say take it back.
Not so sure i'd want to take it back to Midas.

Run it in the dark & see if that clicking is cross firing between plug wires or whatever.

Edit.Take another look in your Haynes the firing order should be in there in the "tune up & routine maintenance" section

 

No, I know the firing order, 1-4-2-5-3-6, however, I do not know which cylinder is 1, 2 etc. Nor do I with the distributor cap, I just want to make sure he didn't switch any wires.

 

3 6
2 5
1 4

Front of engine.

A 98 4.0 doesn't have a distributor, it has a coil pack and they are labled.

 

Thank you very much for your time guys. And thank you ken00 for that new found knowledge.

 

You are never going to believe this! I found this in my engine compartment! The middas tech. left it pried up against my alternator pulley!

<img src='http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-2/954681/Image2.jpg' width=956 height=271 >

I can't believe I didn't notice this before! I'm thinking about knocking out their windows with it. Seriously, what should i do about it?

 

For now I'd go check the firing order on your plug wires and correct as needed. Midas has a way of looking for things wrong with cars and then trying to sell more services to customers. If you go there for a muffler, they will start checking shocks, springs, front ends stuff, etc etc and try to get you to buy. From what I've seen, many times the parts did not need replacement at all; it was all a scam to make money. Therefore, I'd suggest not visiting Midas.

Let us know what you find on the firing order.

 

From what Ken00 Said about the designation, the plugs and wire are hooked up correctly. However, I did find the tool he used to install them propped up against my alternator pulley. (Picture above)

 

That looks like part of a belt tensioner tool-why would they use that for plug wire replacement?

 

I like the idea of popping the hood in the dark and, with the engine running, looking for any arcing. Look at the wires and around the plugs. Just to rule it out, I'd make sure the IAC solenoid was plugged in. Disregard this if if idles ok when cold. But for that matter, look the engine over carefully for any disconnected wiring or hoses. Look at each sensor and component. After that, I think I'd stop by Autozone and have them pull the code(s) for free. Don't buy parts yet; post the code(s) here for feedback. Make sure to report whether it's a KOEO (key on engine off), KOER (key on engine running), or a CM (continuous memory) code(s).

In my eyes at this point, it could only be a few things: 1) Midas broke the insulator on a sparkplugs(s) during installation, wrong gap on plugs, Midas somehow managed to ruin a plug wire, or, God forbid, sabatoge. If it ran fine before you brought it in and ran lousy when they got done, there is little else it could be. I suppose it could be a coincidence that something else just happened to go break by badluck, but I'd really have my doubts.

I don't know what to make of the tool. I too was thinking it was for belt tensioning, but there is no reason for them to have that in there. Why not call them and tell them how lousy your truck runs and ask them what they did to it. Then ask them why what appears to be a belt tensioning tool was found under you hood in the location you described, and ask them why they were using it. Be in no hurry to return it right now.