Washed Engine - Now Not Running Right - Help!
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2002
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Washed Engine - Now Not Running Right - Help!
Ford 150 4.6L modified exhaust
My Daughter was over with her fiance's truck, they are going on a vacation Wed. Wanted me to check their fluids because they don't know anything about cars. The engine was filthy, so I thought I would surprise them and detail it. I've done it a hundred times before and occassionally I've had to blow things out but that was always about it. This time, the truck starts after the washing, but starts missing badly especially under load. I figured it would straightened itself out once it dried off. Well, it hasn't. I blew off the injectors and any other connectors I could find, thought I would blow off the spark plug wires but couldn't find them. (where the heck are they)? Then the check engine light comes on, I assume from the missing. I tried to connect my OBD II to it, but it acts like it's not even connected, I get no reading at all. I tried the meter on my car, it works fine. So, any ideas? It's not missing as bad as it was, but why won't my meter read it? HELP!! Any ideas??
My Daughter was over with her fiance's truck, they are going on a vacation Wed. Wanted me to check their fluids because they don't know anything about cars. The engine was filthy, so I thought I would surprise them and detail it. I've done it a hundred times before and occassionally I've had to blow things out but that was always about it. This time, the truck starts after the washing, but starts missing badly especially under load. I figured it would straightened itself out once it dried off. Well, it hasn't. I blew off the injectors and any other connectors I could find, thought I would blow off the spark plug wires but couldn't find them. (where the heck are they)? Then the check engine light comes on, I assume from the missing. I tried to connect my OBD II to it, but it acts like it's not even connected, I get no reading at all. I tried the meter on my car, it works fine. So, any ideas? It's not missing as bad as it was, but why won't my meter read it? HELP!! Any ideas??
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 116
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Sure it is not a 5.4L? They have no spark plug wires just a coil on top of each plug and water can get under them, the tunnels are at least 5 inches deep. Also same on 4.6 but it should have spark plug wires. Try unplugging connecters and spray with WD-40.
Good luck
Good luck
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Junior User
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The plastic piece on top says 4.6L but I suppose that could have been replaced. I did notice that the paint was rubbing off on the under side of the hood, so maybe there have been some repairs?
I told them to drive it home and come back tomorrow. Then I called and they said it was driving a little better.
Thanks for the tips, I will take a close look at it tomorrow if it's still running bad.
I told them to drive it home and come back tomorrow. Then I called and they said it was driving a little better.
Thanks for the tips, I will take a close look at it tomorrow if it's still running bad.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,398
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From: Simi Valley, CA
i dont have a lot of knowledge about engine trouble, but you might check the distributor cap, i know if moisture gets in there its bad, but idk if your truck has that kind of distributor cap, but i have seen it happen when people get their engines steam cleaned, and then there is moisture under the cap and they have similar problems, i havent seen it in a f150, but its a place to look at least
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Thank you for the reply, and yes that was my thought. I have been working on cars since I was 10 (now 51), but most of my experience is on older cars. This truck doesn't have a distributor cap, that I can see anyway.
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Junior User
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Running better this morning, but still not 100%. Check engine light is still on. Do these trucks use a standard OBD II as I think all cars do?
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 479
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From: Syracuse
yup, Standard OBDII. Generally, these engines with COPs. (Coil On Plugs)
don't tolerate moisture well. If you have a source to check the CEL, check it out, it'll tell you which cylinder(s) are missing. You may need to replace those coils. When I bought my truck, they did the same thing. When I went to pick it up, it was skipping like a school girl. Coil. Next day same thing. Nuther coil. Third day, same thing. Third coil. Been fine since, I just wipe it down, instead of bathing it.
don't tolerate moisture well. If you have a source to check the CEL, check it out, it'll tell you which cylinder(s) are missing. You may need to replace those coils. When I bought my truck, they did the same thing. When I went to pick it up, it was skipping like a school girl. Coil. Next day same thing. Nuther coil. Third day, same thing. Third coil. Been fine since, I just wipe it down, instead of bathing it.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Jackson
Next time if you decide to clean your engine, My buddy at a dealship always used the Armol tire foam in a can. I used it and it looks brand new. Spray the whole intire engine compartment and wait 30 min. Everything is nice and clean and shine works like a charm.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: SouthWest Ga.
The 4.6 has a reputation of losing one or more coils when you wash down the engine I always wrap mine with plastic[ I also keep an extra set of coil packs on hand just in case] then wipe down with cleaner and a rag once I have finished the rest of the engine and it has dried. You're right no distri. just coil packs. Mine is a 97 F-150, 4.6 with mods.
New User
Joined: Jul 2004
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Water
Just went through this after going through some flood waters. This engine uses small individual coils that attach directly to the top of the spark plug. Water can get in around the coil and short out the plug. The coils are located along the edge of the intake manifold next to the injectors. Each coil is held down by a small screw. You will need to remove them individually and blow down in the plug hole with compressed air to remove the water then let it dry a bit. Use dylectric grease on the plug connector when re-installing.
James
James
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From: Stanton DE
Wow hope you get it all straightened out.The new mod motors can be a pain when it comes to water and the coil packs. It's never a good idea to take a water hose in there. It's just bad bad bad.
Water gets done in there and shorts out the coils. If you get it dried out good and find the bad one or ones you'll be good but they go bad one here one there and can keep going bad later down the road. It's a nightmare. Good luck with it.
Water gets done in there and shorts out the coils. If you get it dried out good and find the bad one or ones you'll be good but they go bad one here one there and can keep going bad later down the road. It's a nightmare. Good luck with it.
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