CEL code P0301
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CEL code P0301
Hi folks,
So, out of the blue, my X starts running rough. After the second day it finally throws a code. "misfire on cyl 1 detected".
For trouble shooting purposes I'm planning to swap coils with another cylinder to see if the problem follows the coil. What else would be a logical place to look for an issue? I've got 120,000 miles. If one coil goes out, should I be thinking the other nine are getting sketchy?
And lastly, any gotchas I need to be aware of when changing coils?
Thanks a bunch,
Archie
So, out of the blue, my X starts running rough. After the second day it finally throws a code. "misfire on cyl 1 detected".
For trouble shooting purposes I'm planning to swap coils with another cylinder to see if the problem follows the coil. What else would be a logical place to look for an issue? I've got 120,000 miles. If one coil goes out, should I be thinking the other nine are getting sketchy?
And lastly, any gotchas I need to be aware of when changing coils?
Thanks a bunch,
Archie
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 445
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From: Montoursville, PA
Seeing as when I bought my truck at 90,000 miles, I had been recommended to change 8 out of the 10 coils, I think that having a bad one at 120,000 miles is acceptable. I know most people disagree with me on this, but my view is to just change out all 10 if you have a problem with one. They seem to all go out eventually, and how many times do you want to deal with this?
That said, I expect to be able to jump in my truck and drive cross-country on a moment's notice, which is part of why I maintain it in this manner. I don't want to deal with my truck breaking whille I'm on a trip with it.
I would also only buy genuine Ford coils. While I use aftermarket ignition products on distributor ignition setups with good results, I have not had good results on the distributorless components.
When I bought my 10 coils, it was about $500 from one of the Ford parts deaer websites, can't remember which one I used. Changing the coils is not difficult, either.
That said, I expect to be able to jump in my truck and drive cross-country on a moment's notice, which is part of why I maintain it in this manner. I don't want to deal with my truck breaking whille I'm on a trip with it.
I would also only buy genuine Ford coils. While I use aftermarket ignition products on distributor ignition setups with good results, I have not had good results on the distributorless components.
When I bought my 10 coils, it was about $500 from one of the Ford parts deaer websites, can't remember which one I used. Changing the coils is not difficult, either.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
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From: Washington State
I agree with Ted but also realize that not all folks may be in a financial position to do that.
Swap the one for now just to troubleshoot. It could be a bad COP or it may just need to be reseated. It has to be a pretty hard fault for it to set the check engine light. Most times a bad COP won't set it.
The second logical thing to do would be to pull the plug. With 120K on it do you know if the plugs are original or if they have been changed? If they are original, I would replace them all as soon as it is feasible.
Swap the one for now just to troubleshoot. It could be a bad COP or it may just need to be reseated. It has to be a pretty hard fault for it to set the check engine light. Most times a bad COP won't set it.
The second logical thing to do would be to pull the plug. With 120K on it do you know if the plugs are original or if they have been changed? If they are original, I would replace them all as soon as it is feasible.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Montoursville, PA
Originally Posted by Monsta
I agree with Ted but also realize that not all folks may be in a financial position to do that.
Swap the one for now just to troubleshoot. It could be a bad COP or it may just need to be reseated. It has to be a pretty hard fault for it to set the check engine light. Most times a bad COP won't set it.
The second logical thing to do would be to pull the plug. With 120K on it do you know if the plugs are original or if they have been changed? If they are original, I would replace them all as soon as it is feasible.
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So, I went home and stared at my engine and looked in the manual, which is cylinder 1? The manual doesn't say 'front of engine' or something like that. And, it looks like the front cylinder (closest to the radiator), on the drivers side is further forward of the passenger side cylinder. The closest I can figure the passenger side furthest forward should be number 1. Correct?
Secondly, does the fuel injection rail get in the way of extracting the coils?
Thx,
Archie
Secondly, does the fuel injection rail get in the way of extracting the coils?
Thx,
Archie
Freshman User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 41
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From: San Diego, CA
Archie,
Number 1 is the "front/right" if you're looking at it from the driver's seat.
I had some misfire problems (twice) due to water intrusion into the plug wells. Threw a code the second time, but it was just a matter of drying things out.
Now... to figure out where the water came from.
Steve
Number 1 is the "front/right" if you're looking at it from the driver's seat.
I had some misfire problems (twice) due to water intrusion into the plug wells. Threw a code the second time, but it was just a matter of drying things out.
Now... to figure out where the water came from.
Steve
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From: San Diego, CA
Originally Posted by X_archie
So, I went home and stared at my engine and looked in the manual, which is cylinder 1? The manual doesn't say 'front of engine' or something like that. And, it looks like the front cylinder (closest to the radiator), on the drivers side is further forward of the passenger side cylinder. The closest I can figure the passenger side furthest forward should be number 1. Correct?
Secondly, does the fuel injection rail get in the way of extracting the coils?
Thx,
Archie
Secondly, does the fuel injection rail get in the way of extracting the coils?
Thx,
Archie
Steve
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I wanted to thank everybody who has chimed in on this subject....
I swapped coils, we'll see if the problem follows to cylinder 6. It started up fine, and still has the stumble/misfire. I vacuumed out and blew out the plug well, pulled the plug to have a look - looked fine. Reinstalled the plug with anti-seize and torqued to 10 ft-lbs (120 in-lbs).
Archie
I swapped coils, we'll see if the problem follows to cylinder 6. It started up fine, and still has the stumble/misfire. I vacuumed out and blew out the plug well, pulled the plug to have a look - looked fine. Reinstalled the plug with anti-seize and torqued to 10 ft-lbs (120 in-lbs).
Archie
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It threw the same code, after the coil swap. Still cylinder number 1.... so, not the coil. Spark plug, fuel injector? I'd hate to think it could be the wiring harness.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated,
Archie (running on nine)
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated,
Archie (running on nine)
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 462
Likes: 5
From: Kansas City, Mo
Originally Posted by X_archie
It threw the same code, after the coil swap. Still cylinder number 1.... so, not the coil. Spark plug, fuel injector? I'd hate to think it could be the wiring harness.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated,
Archie (running on nine)
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated,
Archie (running on nine)
Last edited by shadows4; Feb 29, 2008 at 03:29 PM. Reason: need more info
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Joined: May 2004
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From: San Diego, CA
What does the #1 plug look like when you pull it right after running the engine? Wet with fuel, or dry? White, discolored, or normal? If wet, it's probably not a fuel problem. If dry/white, maybe too little or no fuel. If that's the case, then look to your injectors first. Kind of a lot of work to replace just one, so you might consider at least five at a time - maybe all of them. I suppose if you have the time and patience, you could swap the #1 injector with another to see if the problem moves. You could also buy just one injector to use as a trouble shooter, but as I said you'll need time and patience with that process...
Just my $0.02
Have a great weekend!
Steve
Just my $0.02
Have a great weekend!
Steve
Originally Posted by X_archie
It threw the same code, after the coil swap. Still cylinder number 1.... so, not the coil. Spark plug, fuel injector? I'd hate to think it could be the wiring harness.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated,
Archie (running on nine)
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated,
Archie (running on nine)
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I swapped sparkplugs between 1 and 6, and the code followed to cylinder six. I changed out all the plugs, what a project! At least I know it has been done correctly now. I'm glad it turned out to be the most inexpensive part.
I hope this trouble shooting experience can help other folks out.
Archie
I hope this trouble shooting experience can help other folks out.
Archie
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