5.4, runs like bad c.o.p. or bad plug, no codes or pending
 

I have a 98 F150 4x4, 5.4 automatic. It is running rough like it had a bad c.o.p. or plug. I have scanned it, but there are no codes, no pending codes, what else could it be. I really dont want to go through the hassle of pulling the plugs and coils. I have replaced 7 of the 8 five months ago. #7 is the only one left, i jsut couldnt get the to the screw because of the fuel rail.

You need to drive it with a data logger that will count misfires.

okay, where do I get one of those

My Diablosport Preditor had one.
Might be cheaper to pay the dealer 1/2hr labor to diagnose the issue.

When my 5.4 had a bad COP, it didn't throw any codes for a good 2 weeks. Finally, I started pushing the engine and trying to keep the RPM's in the range I noticed the misfire. Finally the computer threw a code and pointed me to the bad COP.

hey guys, i'm glad i found this post. my 5.4 tritan jus started running alittle ruff. like a fouled plug or vac leak. couldn't find a vac leak but it coulde use new ones. is there a kit for sale out there that sell a complete vac line kit?

i'm going to attempt to change the plugs. sorry I don't know what a COP is?? any help? thanks

coil on plug, you will see what they are when you change the plugs. you are gonna needa 7mm socket and a 5/8 plug socket and a piece of fuel line tubing to get the plugs out. #4 and #7 are the hardest to get out.

Pushing the engine hard might get a code. Try a full throttle start to 75 mph. When I had the same problem, that's what I had to do to get the position number of the COP.

As for a vacuum leak, the most common is the PCV hose elbow at the rear of the intake manifold.

i pulled pvc out of valuve cover while engine running and had alot of vac to it... i will look it over and see if there is any problems on the elbow

They Should Know This
 

I had same problem that you describe and took my 97 expedition to Three diff dealerships in portland. No one could figure it out because it was not a detectable problem( the computer would not tell them what to do so they did nothing)... I took the truck home and knowing a little about cars (a lot actually) I went to the area I thought was the problem. I took the throttle body and bypass valve off and noticed quite a bit of corrosion in the bypass valve. This valve allows air around the throttle body upon initial start up and then closes after warm up. You will notice it's path one hose is connected in front of the throttle body and one on the intake side. It is round cylindrical in shape and has an electrical plug connector on it. Mine was stuck in the open position and for about 50 bucks at the dealership for the new part i was good to go. any questions just ask....(P.S. I have all but lost hope in the ASE real mechanics are certified in the back yard and proven on the track!!!!!)

COP means Coil Over Pack .... It is the little black individual coils that attach to the top of each spark plug instead of having just one coil and a distributer like on the old style ignition systems. This allows the computer in your car to more effectively and accurately deliver spark to each cylinder. Each little pack is its own coil. You can even buy after market coils to boost performance but they are pricey.....85 to 200 bucks each.

Our performance coils are a lot less than that.

Our new Ford COP’s, the Sultans of Spark(S.O.S.), have
been designed with both durability and performance in mind.
Please see them at:
Ford SOS Coils
Quality was the main feature we stressed when we went to the
drawing board on these coils.
By the way, for those of you who only need to replace a defective coil,
our SOS Coils are available separately.

has anyone used the summit cop for the 5.4l or 4.6 that sell for like $240ish

DON'T buy the Accel ones. I've learned a lot about chasing down which one went out, so far 3 out of 8.

Livewire PRP tuned w/wideband O2

whats this mean?

LiveWire is SCT's top of the line tuner. It doubles as a monitor/data collector. PRP is the ProRacerPackage that allows me to tune ANY parameter in the ECM to the way I want it. The wideband O2 is connected to a LM-1 from Innovative. There's a air/fuel guage on the dash I can see real time readout. SCT also has a datalog program where I can monitor/record ANY readout the dealer can. You make a change to a parameter and data log it to see what it's doing.

so, where did you buy yours and about how much was it?
thanks

Get ahold of Mike@5startuning.com and mention you're a member of FTE. The LiveWire runs around $550 but you can get the same thing for less money with the x3cal. It will tune but not have a monitor. The PRP software is $349 and there's a support forum if you would like. These tuners come with 3 standard tunes and 3 custom tunes. Mike can modify or make you a custom tune to your liking. That's what the PRP software does. You should definitly get a wideband O2 also. Ck out mike's website 5 Star Tuning | Custom Dynomemeter Chassis Tuning Products and Services to see all he has.:-X25

hey, thanks for the help. I'm buying new summit set of 8 coil packs today and some new plugs.. i hope that helps the miss..

i use to have a tweecer RT on my old 5.0 stang. is it the same type of system?

YW/ Upgrading most anything from the factory helps. Hope you're getting another set of stock replacement plugs since mod motors don't seem to like some of those fancy ones.

From what I've seen with 5.0 tuning this is along the same lines. It's just a bit more complicated.

I got the bosch platniums... should i bought the fomoco ones instead???

YEP! I replaced mine with what came with it and have no regrets. Just don't forget to use the proper procedure for the plug change. I've got a copy if you would want it. I bought a set of spark plug sockets made for those engines and they helped immensely.

yeah, that would be nice to have....

i just took it to the ford dealership here in branson and now its going to cost me 800 bucks :-banghead to get it back to running nicely... there goes that paycheck... where did you get the special wrench? or socket for that?

The local wrench pit only wants $200 for a plug change. Look in Sears tools under KD tools. The whole set is like $36 but the shortest one won't work worth a darn. If you try conventional sockets and extensions they have to have positive locking or how you gonna get a plug socket stuck way down?}>

5.4 spark plugs
 

Hi all. My 06 F-150 with the 5.4 is starting to run rough. I bought it used and have no idea if a tune was ever performed. I'm sitting at about 185,000 kms. I asked the dealership about a tune up and they told me it could be anywere from $200 to over $1000 or more. This is because the spark plugs tend to get stuck in the heads and break off when you try to remove them. If this happens they will have to call in a mobile machine shop to remove them and he charges per plug or pull the heads and send them out. Is this a real issue or are they just trying to scare me into not doing my own tune up. You guys helped me with my 4wd issue and hope you can clear this up as well. I look forward to your comments.

The plugs break off because they are a 2 piece design and the lower part gets stuck due to carbon build up. I.ve rad if the plug is turned enuff to allow you to get some PB Blaster down in the well to get down inside the cylinder and cut nto the carbon. Before u try the plugs clean the MAF with MAF cleaner available at local parts stores. Also cleaning out the throttle body and EGR valve will help improve rough running.