Update the computer or change cops and plugs

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Habbibie

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just to update, I went ahead and changed out all eight plugs and all eight cops over the weekend. all is well Expedition is running excellent, gas mileage has substantially gone up.

also I have to say this job isn't as painful as every post I've read makes it sound. They make it sound as if that number 4 plug (the back one on the right side) specifically is nearly impossible to get out. Although it was no picnic at the beach, I found it pretty easy with a 4 inch extension, a universal and a 10in extension. so for those people out there who have been avoiding doing this job for the fact that everything they read makes a sound so hard, I suggest just get in there and do it.
I had been putting this job off for over a year due to worries and concerns that I have read all over every page on the internet. And all I did was cause more damage to my plugs, and inevitably my engine.

thanks again to everybody that offered up some info for me. I just really like to understand what's going on before I jump into stuff.

Dont cross your fingers just yet, many times we see this here when people change plugs and coils and report exciting news then a week later the gremlin strikes again
 

1955moose

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It is getting on Halloween!

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StreetCreeper

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just to update, I went ahead and changed out all eight plugs and all eight cops over the weekend. all is well Expedition is running excellent, gas mileage has substantially gone up.

also I have to say this job isn't as painful as every post I've read makes it sound. They make it sound as if that number 4 plug (the back one on the right side) specifically is nearly impossible to get out. Although it was no picnic at the beach, I found it pretty easy with a 4 inch extension, a universal and a 10in extension. so for those people out there who have been avoiding doing this job for the fact that everything they read makes a sound so hard, I suggest just get in there and do it.
I had been putting this job off for over a year due to worries and concerns that I have read all over every page on the internet. And all I did was cause more damage to my plugs, and inevitably my engine.

thanks again to everybody that offered up some info for me. I just really like to understand what's going on before I jump into stuff.

Happy to hear you got it all done without problems. What kind of fuel mileage were you getting before and what has it gone up to now after the change out? How is the power? Improved or same?
 
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Jdcline54

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Happy to hear you got it all done without problems. What kind of fuel mileage were you getting before and what has it gone up to now after the change out? How is the power? Improved or same?

My fuel mileage before averaged 9ish...it has gone way up.. Ive been driving with my foot on the floor ever since and I'm still averaging 12.5 or so. TONS more power.! I should mention that a couple days before I did the plugs I changed oil, and added k and n air filter (which noticeably Icreased power.) I'm suprised that this thing was still running honestly... out of the four plugs in Bank 1 two of them were completely destroyed one of them had cracks all up and down the porcelain and ironically enough number one cylinder had a perfectly clean burn... although I'm still not sure what caused it there was no evidence of water or coolant except for in the number 3
 

1955moose

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Goes to show all the hoo hah about computer upgrades isn't no where near the performance gains of a simple tune up. Great to be able to pass a Prius on a grade!

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Jdcline54

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Funny enough.. I just had autozone pull the codes for laughs, and it still throwing bank 1 lean... Ill have to clear the codes tomorrow when I have access to a proper scanner.. Still though, AMAZINGLY noticeable difference with work done so far.. I might actually like this giant POS after all..
 
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Jdcline54

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so to update anyone still following this thread, I did a compression test on my right bank today I only had time to do that side and from front to back,
number 1 was 160,
number 2 was 90
Number 3 was 150
Number 4 was 0

which is about what I expected as the wear on plug 4 was nearly none after 3 weeks.. The other three have been running hot for sure...

started doing a leak down test 2 find out where my lost compression is going but I had something come up and had to hurry and put it back together and leave. funny thing is as I sit here writing this email I'm in my vehicle with it running and it's running great considering low compression in one cylinder and none and another on One Bank... Anyone have any thoughts or ideas?
 

1955moose

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Wow, that must have been the crappiest running 5.4 ever, and to you it feels strong now. If your gauge is good and your readings right, your running on 6 1/2 cylinders, and should be rough, and possibly backfiring or spitting from intake. Your gonna want to go back to those 2 cylinders and do a leakdown test, to see if it's valves or rings causing this. I would also buy or borrow another compression tester. I myself had a chunk of carbon or something clogged up my air valve at the end of gauge. I replaced valve with another, and I got full compression at that suspect cylinder. Something to look into, before you go crazy pulling heads or complete motor.

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Jdcline54

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Wow, that must have been the crappiest running 5.4 ever, and to you it feels strong now. If your gauge is good and your readings right, your running on 6 1/2 cylinders, and should be rough, and possibly backfiring or spitting from intake. Your gonna want to go back to those 2 cylinders and do a leakdown test, to see if it's valves or rings causing this. I would also buy or borrow another compression tester. I myself had a chunk of carbon or something clogged up my air valve at the end of gauge. I replaced valve with another, and I got full compression at that suspect cylinder. Something to look into, before you go crazy pulling heads or complete motor.

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Thanks!

I actually verified the readings with 3 different testers. (I'm a non traditional college student with a lot of drive way experience).. And i have no intentention of tearing that deep into it with out some sort of verification that I need to.

Yeah it's funny, I just mentioned to my wife this morning that I can't imagine how much power it would have if it was running properly. But i bought the vehicle the way it is about 3 years ago so I've never really had a chance to notice any power loss or anything. and oddly enough it doesn't throw codes very often and by that I mean it doesn't turn on the MIL.. for the most part it runs pretty good even before I turned it up... However when you would be sitting in it in park for a while I would notice a misfire after it's been sitting there running at idle for 20 minutes or so it was very pronounced.. it really didn't have any drivability symptoms unless the temperature outside was over 90 degrees and I was going up a steep hill
 

1955moose

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Pull the valve cover for that 0 cylinder, wouldn't be surprised if you've got a snapped off valve spring, with the valve just free floating. Your motor should be the same 260 hp as mine, and I need all of them to pull a grade. Having tried 3 different gauges is smart, you must be an engineer in your trade. I would have stopped at 2 gauges. Let's hope for something easy for your fix.

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