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New User
Joined: Oct 2003
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Hi tomw, Thanks for your reply. I have not done compression check yet.
I'm going to check fuel pressure tonight just to possibly eliminate a lazy fuel pump.
I have pulled each plug wire and they've all got fire.
Plan to check compression this weekend if I don't find the problem before then.
BTW, my rig is a '99 4x4 XLT Flex-Fuel (auto trans). 186k miles.
tvz, please don't be upset, I'm not trying to steal your thread, - just trying to work through this.
I'm with you on the help we get here. I'd be lost without it.
Thanks,
Beefy
I'm going to check fuel pressure tonight just to possibly eliminate a lazy fuel pump.
I have pulled each plug wire and they've all got fire.
Plan to check compression this weekend if I don't find the problem before then.
BTW, my rig is a '99 4x4 XLT Flex-Fuel (auto trans). 186k miles.
tvz, please don't be upset, I'm not trying to steal your thread, - just trying to work through this.
I'm with you on the help we get here. I'd be lost without it.
Thanks,
Beefy
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9
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Compression Test Numbers
OK, did a compression test tonight and here are the results: (did three checks on each cylinder and averaged them)
#1=162 #6=160
#2=130 #5=127
#3=163 #4=140
FYI Fuel Pressure was a steady 55 PSI.
So what are your interpretations of this data?
Anyone?
TIA
Beefy
#1=162 #6=160
#2=130 #5=127
#3=163 #4=140
FYI Fuel Pressure was a steady 55 PSI.
So what are your interpretations of this data?
Anyone?
TIA
Beefy
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,907
Likes: 39
From: suburban atlanta
The middle readings are not so good. Are you numbering 1 2 3 on the passenger side, front to rear, and then 4 5 6 on the driver side front to rear? If so, then I would squirt a tablespoon of oil into #2 and take another reading, and repeat the same in #5. If the pressure does not increase significantly, I would expect that you have a couple bad valves.
If the pressure does increase, try it in one of the other cylinders with better compression. I would expect that the other cylinders would not increase a whole lot.
I think you may have some burned valves...
tom
If the pressure does increase, try it in one of the other cylinders with better compression. I would expect that the other cylinders would not increase a whole lot.
I think you may have some burned valves...
tom
Last edited by tomw; Jun 12, 2009 at 07:56 AM. Reason: number dummy
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New User
Joined: Mar 2008
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Here is an update, I have not done the Compression check yet but this weekend I changed my oil after running some seafoam through my crankcase for about 150 miles, and when I started my truck up Monday AM to got to work, it was running very bad and black smoke and some what looked like small peices of carbon were coming out of my tailpipe, it ran bad for several minutes, and then it cleared up and has not done it again. WTF?
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
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Fixed!
OK- Goodnews & Bad tvz, Good news =got my truck fixed; Bad News= It was the valves apparently.
I pulled the heads last weekend and took them to the machine shop. They tanked & checked for cracks. They measured & said the exhaust valves were down slightly. Told them to go ahead with a valve job. So with a valve job & gasket set, I was outta there around $350.
Got it back together yesterday & it's running great so far. (fingers crossed)
So, thanks tomw, I didn't think the compression readings were hateful, but apparently, anything over 15% in these motors will begin to cause noticeable problems.
The cost of the fix in time and $ sucks, but it's good to have it up & running again.
Beefy
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,907
Likes: 39
From: suburban atlanta
I hope you checked that the lifters are not gummed up. You should be able to push down on the heel of the rocker arm and make the lifter collapse enough to make it tap, let go, and it should pump up again, and get quiet. It would be a good check to see if your lifter is not gummy AND to check that the lifters are not holding the valve off the seat at all. If they were, that could explain the valves getting burned, as they cannot transfer the heat to the valve seat & head if they do not make good contact. I have used a hammer handle pushing down on the heel(pushrod) end of the rocker when the engine is at idle. A firm continuous push should let the lifter collapse enough to clack, and release should let the lifter get full of oil and stop the clatter.
Reason to mention this is that you have burned the valves once, and there has to be a reason. If the lifters are sticky or the springs too weak, or the pushrod too long you could be headed to burning the valves again. My 3.0 has lasted 240k w/o any valve problems so far.
tom
Reason to mention this is that you have burned the valves once, and there has to be a reason. If the lifters are sticky or the springs too weak, or the pushrod too long you could be headed to burning the valves again. My 3.0 has lasted 240k w/o any valve problems so far.
tom
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 4
From: Almost Heaven
It's probably your coil packs. Have the Ford place check it out. To have them all replaced will cost an arm and a leg, but throwing money at it won't help either. We have an '03 Escape with the 3.0L and it has the same issues you have. It's the coil packs. I believe these V6 motors have one coil pack per cylinder, so it's six coil packs. If you find they are indeed the problem, have them all changed at once; they tend to go at once or close together.
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New User
Joined: Mar 2008
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Does anyone have any suggestions as to the hard Miss I experience when my AC is on. It looks like that I may indeed have a burnt exhuast valve, but I hope not, and no, I have not done the compression test yet (I Know I Know). I am just hoping for the best, as I really cannot afford the repair or replace the valves. thanks again.
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New User
Joined: Mar 2008
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Well I had replaced it before when I was having trouble and then changed out my Cats, so I returned it for the money, so my truck has the original Coil on it so it would appear, because I bought it used about a year and half ago, and it has the cylinders numbered, so I assume it's the original
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jptl
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Feb 28, 2004 03:05 PM