Came home today with my new(er) 2004 F-250 V-10. Got it from a guy who lives in the country and the engine compartment was dusty and dirty. So I took it to the carwash and sprayed away. Big mistake. Truck started to cough and miss. I got it parked and let it sit. It was better four hours later, but there was still a rough idle that wasn't there yesterday. I'm hoping it's OK in the morning. I've always washed the motors of my cars. I thought a clean engine was a happy engine. Could I have shorted something out?

 

Yeah it is possible that the spark plug boots aren't in the greatest shape and the water causes the spark to arc.

 

from what i have read ..... dont wash the motors with the cop's! i like the clean motor too but ...

 

Like 92f150 said, probably a faulty boot, the rubber boot that goes from cop to spark plug. cop = Coil on Plug. Easy to change them out and use dielectric grease on them when you do it. Also while in there you can blow out with compressed air the spark plug sockets. Might as well clean them out, and sometimes u will get water down there it boots are bad.

Just a myth about cleaning the motors with cops. Just be more carefull, and up to date with maint and you should have no problems. Lots of us clean them.

Welcome to FTE!

 

I just had my whole engine bay sprayed clean at the dealer while my truck was in for service, cost me 5 bucks and the engine bay looks brand new! im dead serious, looks better than the day I bought the truck new. Everything was covered in mud, I couldnt beleive how clean it is.

 

you can do it. I did it in my 06 and do it occasionally in my crown vic. both have cops.

 

I was at the dealer a few days ago and saw one of their detail guys pressure-washing the engine bay of an F350, prepping it for the used lot, so it can't be too hard on anything.

 

The spark plug holes are really deep and water can pool down there. With water sitting in the plug recess its only a matter of time before water gets into a COP boot and causes a miss. Replace all the COP boots and blow any water out. If the plugs are original or have over 50k on them I would change the plugs also.

 

I don't know on the newer truck my way of thinking of it is "would you open up your computer and power wash it"

That is one of those things I would take it to the dealer then if it starts acting up you can take it back and tell them you broke it you fix it

 

Pull ALL of the COPs. Clean out the spark plug holes with compressed air (be careful of your eyes) and let them dry out.

Remove the boots from the COPs. If they are dry and/or cracked, replace them with new.

Blow them out with air, make sure they are completely dry.

Reassemble boot to COP with dielectric grease around the COP where the boot seals to the COP. Put dielectric grease around the tip of the boot where it seals to the plug, and a good bead around the boot where it seals to the head.

I wash my motors regularly, fully knowing that I am going to get water in the spark plug holes. I always pull the COPs (or the wires, on the Cougar) and make sure they are dry.

 

right on, main reason I had them do mine while it was in there.

 

Thanks for the replies. I guess it's time for me to "cops out". Truck was running smooth this morning, so it has dried out.

 

Rookie question, but what exactly does COP stand for?

 

Coil On Plug

 

Coil On Plug or Coil Over Plug