02 E250 COP question

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Oct 29, 2008 | 06:37 PM

puntadigital

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02 E250 COP question

Hi there
1st post here

I have an 02 E250 5.4 V8 bought it couple of months ago, 161K, and I have used it less than 500 miles so far.
CEL came on, and the codes showed missfire on Cyl 1 and 5 and something about low power on the first 1000 revs (sorry I don't remember).

Checked spark plug on cyl5 and it looked a little black (carbon) but not a whole lot and switched COP with cyl 6 to isolate problem. Erased codes and took it for a ride and CEL came on again showing the same, PLUS another code that says something like "random cylinder missfire".

my plan:

Change all spark plugs and COPS. Found a cheap one on ebay and basically that's my question, if it's worth buy them and change 'em all, or just buy the Motorcraft or Duralast and change just those 2.

Here's the link to eBay

Thanks in advance
Carlos

PS: CEL flashed several times, in different moments, specially when you step on the gas trying to make the van recover some power, based on what I've read in here that means something related to CAT right? why not codes about it ?

Oct 29, 2008 | 09:08 PM

puntadigital

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Anxiety bump !

Oct 31, 2008 | 08:06 AM

Clubwagon

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From: Saint Augustine, FL

Yeah, sounds like the COPs are getting weak. That "random cylinder missfire" code is typically the first you see. Then the individual cylinder missfire codes start.

Sounds like a good plan. Can't say if the ebay COPs are OK or not. I always worry when I see something that is "too cheap". I would price the COPs from RockAuto.com. You can count on those being of acceptable quality.

Oct 31, 2008 | 05:12 PM

puntadigital

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Thanks ClubWagon
I think the same about things when they're "too good to be true", but this things at least have a 1 year warranty, and I can get the 8 for the same cost of buying only 2 (Duralast) at autozone, I'll check Rockauto and see their prices.

Would you guys recommend getting just the 2 that are failing or take the risk with the cheap ones? I cannot afford 8 of the "good" ones right now, probably get the 8 cheapos and when things get better I can replace all of them with quality ones.

What kinds of risks am I taking doing this?

Thanks for the help y'all

Nov 1, 2008 | 11:39 PM

davistev

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I am in the same situation but I decided to only change COP #4 on my 5.4L E250. However, I did use the opportunity to replace all the spark plugs. I ended up using Autolite Double Plats because I my local Autozone was sold out on the Motorcrafts.

Nov 2, 2008 | 10:41 PM

puntadigital

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Hey, how was it ? How long ? you still have all your knuckles ?

Nov 4, 2008 | 04:23 AM

davistev

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Changing the spark plugs on the 5.4L is a job I hate to do but I am not rich enough to pay a garage $3-400 to do it. My E-250 was difficult but made easier once I

1) removed the passenger seat
2) used a rubber hose (from the power steering unit) to retrieve the spark plugs that "sat" inside. The most difficult one to do was #7.

Cheers,
Dave