Misfire or something else??

Don't you need one of those swivel wrenches? I got to admit i'm too chicken to do plugs on a expy. Because of the one on the passanger side under the dash board. I'm too big and clusy to be fighting a plug that has snapped off in that tight spot.

I do have the swivel magnetic plug socket and extensions and the u-joint things for the wrench but that thing is right on top of #8 and I so far can’t get the right angle to get on the plug.

Also, I found where the push tab went from the #8 coil-it’s in the hole of #7. I saw a piece of plastic when I was pulling the coil out but I couldn’t grab it and it dropped in there. I’m working on getting that out before I can remove that plug. #5 and #6 broke free with no trouble, so that’s a plus!


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Also make sure there's no coolant dripping down from the heater hose and control valve, into the 3 and 4 sparkplug wells. If the coil plug pigtails won't lock onto the coils replace the pigtails (they're cheap...) and use sealed butt splice connectors when you do. Blowout the sparkplug wells with a compressor before removing the plugs. Use anti-seize on the new plug threads before installing them. Torque spec is 25 ft lbs on the plugs. If the old ones are stubborn coming loose, use some Liquid Wrench spray and let it soak for a few minutes to free 'em up.


Replacement coil pigtails ....

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H77B6D...&pd_rd_r=1b56c9e2-9a7e-11e9-9e03-b199d7ed47b8






This Gearwrench sparkplug socket set is a life saver .... ( the sockets are strong magnetic and they swivel ...)

https://www.amazon.com/Kauplus-Magnetic-Swivel-Universal-Service/dp/B074MZRK8M/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=ZYXG8VWGPFWC&keywords=gearwrench+spark+plug+socket+set&qid=1561821257&s=gateway&sprefix=gearwrench+spa,aps,184&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

So i'm coming in a little late,but better late then never. Looking at those coils,they looked deformed like from excess heat. For that reason alone,i'd be changing the coils and plugs. The broken tab on the coil plug is an indicator that someone has been in there before. You could probably secure it with a small tie wrap through the plug and around the top of the coil to keep it secure to the coil. I don't like cutting wires and using butt connectors myself, it usually causes more issues down the road. That braided cover is likely from an egr tube running from the exhaust manifold to the intake. As for the issue with the shifter,that's kind of curious. It sounds like the trans range sensor or in old school terms,the neutral safety switch may be out of adjustment or the shift cable is a little out of adjustment. The next time it happens,try holding the shifter tighter towards park and see if it starts then. That would be a good indicator to look at the shift cable adjustment. You could try shifting to neutral and then seeing if it starts as well.
My own misfire experience turned out to be carbon build up in the combustion chamber, or so i'm told. I talked to a bud of mine who is a shop foreman at a Ford dealer. He told me to get the engine stinking hot before trying to crack the plugs loose. I bought the plugs,a can of seafoam, and filled up with Shell premium gas( no ethanol) and drove the truck hard for a few days. My misfire went away and I still have the plugs sitting in my toolbox. Mine is an 07 expy with 270,000 kms. Only in Canada eh!
Keeps us posted,i'm curious what you found.

I would have checked it with a noid light before replacing everything. Electrical issues, such as a damaged fuel injector wire/connector, can often persist for weeks w/ intermittent misfires before they throw a code. Advance and Auto Zone have noid lights as part of their free loaner tools program.

You can buy or order individual noid light for about $6. I've had several over the years I just leave in my toolbox. Only had the occasion to use four or five times and but they are nice cheap diagnostic tool.
You'll find a lot of zip ties on coil connectors over the years as when they get old and all the years of heat they get brittle an snap.
I always use a blow gun and blow out the spark plug well right after I pull the coil out before I remove the plug.
I don't like the swivels as it is too easy for one to lean sideways and crack big frog insulator or break one off. Even just too much pressure can cause a hairline crack and cause you problems that plug later. You have to make sure that plug sockets are kept absolutely straight on a plug so you don't put any force on the tip which stresses the insulator. I find that two short 3/8 inch extensions one six inch one longer about a foot for the easy front ones and one of the little short one and a half inch are all I need to get to the various plugs.
You often have to put the 3-inch extension on the plug socket and drop that into the plug well and then stick your next extension into the rest of the hole and the ratchet on top of that.

Noid light-sounds like that would be a great addition to my toolbox. Thank you all for the great advice and suggestions.

There does not appear to be any coolant leaks (I have heard about that problem before). Much to my surprise, the plugs loosened easily-#7 so easily I was not even sure I was on the plug (probably part of the problems I am having). I have not gotten #8 out yet as I was busy all day yesterday.

I have blown out the holes. I even purchased an inexpensive inspection camera because I couldn’t get that broken tab out of one of the holes. I was able to see where it was and I ended up coaxing it out where I could reach it by putting some dielectric grease on my swivel plug socket. The grease stuck to it enough to drag it up where I pulled it out with a pick.

I think I will try the suggested zip tie on the broken tab and see how that works. If that doesn’t work I will use the amazon link and get the new set.

Thanks everyone for he help! I’ll let you know when I get it all back together[emoji16]


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Got the drivers side done finally. That #8 in the back was a real SOB. I didn’t do the other side yet but I plan to.
These are the old coils and plugs.



Thanks again everyone for the help!


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Fordgirl01 said:

Got the drivers side done finally. That #8 in the back was a real SOB.

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It is. A topside creeper is on my wish list.

ManUpOrShutUp said:

It is. A topside creeper is on my wish list.

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I just had to google that-it’s on my wish list now!! That will save the bruises I get on my ribs[emoji51]


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