2001 Eddie Bauer 5.4 possible plug issues?

[Sunnydaze860]

Hey guys, I have a 2001 expi that I need your help with. When I hit speeds usually between 45-60mph or when Im going up hill you can feel a vibration and slight jerk. Also when its just idleing it sounds like it has a small miss. The service engine light came on yesterday, first it flashed then went off, now its solid. Would this more than likely be a spark plug or coil issue? TThanks in advance.

 

[Bedrck47]

Get the codes read and post them It will help to know what code appears so you can get a better answer

How many miles on the Expy?

when was the plugs last changed

 

[Sunnydaze860]

Get the codes read and post them It will help to know what code appears so you can get a better answer

How many miles on the Expy?

when was the plugs last changed

I will try to get the codes today. It's got 161k miles on it and idk when they were last changed I just got it Thursday

 

[Sunnydaze860]

I don't know the code but I had it checked at autozone and cylinder 5 is misfiring

 

[Bedrck47]

You can start by pulling the plug on #5 and look at its condition Then replace the plug and the boot
However I would consider replacing all the plugs and boots.

Try looking on e-bay for a vendor free shipping auto parts I just purchased a complete set of Motorcraft plugs for $23.04 and boots for $24.00

 

[Sunnydaze860]

You can start by pulling the plug on #5 and look at its condition Then replace the plug and the boot
However I would consider replacing all the plugs and boots.

Try looking on e-bay for a vendor free shipping auto parts I just purchased a complete set of Motorcraft plugs for $23.04 and boots for $24.00

Thanks, I'll try that. Do you think I'll need coils too? Or maybe just 1 for cylinder 5 to be safe?

 

[Bedrck47]

I would just do plugs and boots to start with Also when you install new boots put some dielectric grease on the spring wire inside the boot

Check the connector to the coils and make sure they are clean and tight

Post your results or pictures of the plugs when you change them

 

[Sunnydaze860]

Okay, I'll give it a try. Thank you for the info, I'll post back when I figure it out

 

[docraymund]

Check fuel pressure. Your fuel pump might be on the way out.

 

[rallison203]

In my (1997 XLT) case, rattling and misfire were the first symptoms of the spark plug ejecting from the engine. It didn't take long before rattling led to further loosening, cylinder pressure violently ejecting the plug, and with it, snapping off the head of the coil pack on its way out.

If you do pull the plugs, pay CLOSE attention to the torque specs for re installation into the aluminum head.

 

[CAKD07]

My '05 has 328K on it and I try to have regular service work done. If you plan on keeping it and making sure it runs right IMHO replace the plugs, coils, and boots all together. I tried the first time around to do it one at a time when an issue came up and it was in/out of the shop all the time. It was like a game of whack a mole. Just bite the bullet and you'll be good for another 100K. Another thing not mentioned is the converters, either two or four of them and I've been told by the best shop here in D/FW (the dealers even send you there) you can only expect about 80-100k out of them. Again, bite the bullet and replace them all.

 

[rjdelp7]

I had a similar issue. I replaced the coil pack on misfiring cylinder and fixed problem. I would not put off fixing it, if you don't want to replace the catalytic converters. Every misfire, dumps un-burned fuel, into exhaust.

 

[rallison203]

Agree strongly you should make sure it's running right. If a coil pack needs replaced, then by all means. I disagree however on changing the plugs and coil packs if it's running properly now. The triton spark plug problem is well known and the proper repair to stripped threads is expensive and the repairs vary among technicians and don't always hold. I have 7 cylinders repaired w/ time serts, and 1 (time sert blowout) with a custom machined (!$!) insert. If it ain't broke...

 

[Snag]

Sunnydaze,
all very good information given to you. These engines are known to be spark plug spitters and a miss is sometimes an early warning they are about ready to let go. As suggested get on the repair sooner then later as consequences will be very costly. Pull the plugs and check them since you know nothing about the rig. Make sure you torque them back according to manufacturers specs and I believe that torque spec update is 25 foot pounds. Torque is critical on these engines. Rarely do the coils die, its more common the boots die. The coils should be tested before decided to just pitch them.
And a cat failure is not uncommon when you have misfires and drive long distances. The Cat replacement can be very expensive.

good luck

 

[rjdelp7]

I doubt the loose spark plug issue, would take 161K mi. to occur, unless replacement plug was over torqued. 2003 and up, are know for plugs, breaking off in head. Ford makes a extraction kit, for it. The OBD code reader should tell, what is going on. Pretty common problem for a coil, to go bad. It will show on scan tool(misfire cyl/#). Swap coil , with an other cyl and re-scan. To check for bad coil.

 

[rallison203]

Mine's a 1997 XLT with the 5.4 Triton 8 cylinder engine, and it is well known to have this spark plug problem.

 

[dimension12]

I have a '99 with 318k and found a complete set of coil/boot assemblies on Amazon for cheap. Use anti-seize and torque the plugs to spec. Should be good for another 100k miles.
Remember to blow out the plug wells after breaking the plugs loose.

 

[Sunnydaze860]

Thanks for all the great info guys. I changed the plug and coil on cyclinder 5 and that fixed the issue. Today though the engine light came back on and now I have to replace the pcv valve and had 2 lean codes, bank 1 and 2

 

[grantpa]

Had a similar issue with my '00 EB 4.6. It would be better if you had the proper code rather than just a #5 misfire. However, here's some things to be cognizant about: DO replace ALL boots, check condition of plugs BEFORE spending money on them-unless you know it's past time to replace them. Don't replace the coils unless you KNOW they're bad. That's why the proper codes would come in handy. Check your valve cover gaskets very closely. Sometimes the misfire is caused by leaking oil into the plug and boot area. And USE anti-seize on the plug threads before reinstalling them! Good luck!