Idling issues
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2007
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Idling issues
Hello, I am searching for some help with my sisters 01 Mazda Tribute. I know this is the Ford site, But I know the escape and tribute are similar. Ok, it is a 01 Trubute with the 3.0 v6, automatic, 4wd. The vehicle was starting to idle extremely rough at start up and would occasionaly die. Eventually the check engine light came on. Hooked up the scanner and got some O2 codes and one that said we had a cylinder 1 misfire. How hard is it to change the plugs? I have read that the upper intake has to come off, is there a less invasive way? Also what other things should I look for or check. Thanks for any help.
*UPDATE*
Ok, got the plugs changed finally. Seemed to run a bit better. Took it for a test drive and it missed a little and felt like the motor was really holding back. Got it back to the shop and popped the hood and the front exhaust manifold was glowing orange hot. Could exhaust now be plugged? I don't know what to check for this other wise. Any more tips would be great.
*UPDATE*
Ok, got the plugs changed finally. Seemed to run a bit better. Took it for a test drive and it missed a little and felt like the motor was really holding back. Got it back to the shop and popped the hood and the front exhaust manifold was glowing orange hot. Could exhaust now be plugged? I don't know what to check for this other wise. Any more tips would be great.
Last edited by 76EconolineND; Feb 7, 2010 at 12:56 PM. Reason: UPDATE
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 311
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From: Santa Barbara and Ottawa
Changing the rear bank does involve the intake manifold 
A code indicating a misfire in one particular cylinder could mean its just be time for a new coil pack. Easy enough to test, assuming you get a regular code reading. If it says it's cyl 1 that's bad, swap coil pack 1 with whatever is easiest to reach and test again. If the problem follows the coil pack to the next cylinder then order up a replacement. I've done fine with a $50 one from NAPA, as opposed to at least $90 (US) from a stealership.
As for just giving it a good cleaning, you could try the smokeshow which is seafoam, you feed it into the system through a vacuum line, let it stall, and sit for a few minutes.
A code indicating a misfire in one particular cylinder could mean its just be time for a new coil pack. Easy enough to test, assuming you get a regular code reading. If it says it's cyl 1 that's bad, swap coil pack 1 with whatever is easiest to reach and test again. If the problem follows the coil pack to the next cylinder then order up a replacement. I've done fine with a $50 one from NAPA, as opposed to at least $90 (US) from a stealership.
As for just giving it a good cleaning, you could try the smokeshow which is seafoam, you feed it into the system through a vacuum line, let it stall, and sit for a few minutes.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/453729-how-to-replace-your-v-6-escapes-spark-plugs.
Are the plugs original, and how many miles on the plugs? There is a great thread here on changing the plugs. ( https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/4...ark-plugs.html ) It is really not that hard.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,511
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From: hinckley ohio
no.1 coil pack is under the intake on pass side. The plugs should be changed at 100,000 miles.So if its there or close to that i,d change them.Also pvc valve is easy to get at and i would replace the lower and upper intake gaskets.And inspect the vacuum lines.Mine had the same code but misfire in 3. found the bigger vacuum line on back off intake was bad.
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Cargo Master
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I have an 01 with about the same miles. It started doing the same thing so I went ahead and changed the all the coils and the plugs in back, seems a little over the top bit I didnt want to have to pull the manifold again for a while. I found coils for 35 bucks each which isnt to bad so I figured with the miles it was worth it. But after changing everthing about a day later it started sputtering again so I put a code reader on it and was told it was bad #3 so I pulled the coil and plug and put it up front and replaced it with a good one and the problem ended up being the new plug I had put in. So when you pull the manifold make sure you try to move your problem to the front bank so you dont have to do more work than need be.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,511
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From: hinckley ohio
if your manifold is glowing orange there is a issue with that don't know if it has a butter fly on that manifold that is frozen.the butterfly flap would close forcing the exaust gas to go across the engine to bring it up to tempature faster. or a plugged up catalytic converter.also when you did the plugs did you do lower and upper intake gaskets?
