Swany11
New Member
I've read a ton of useful info here, so I thought it would share my story and (hopefully) solution to my problems.
2006 EXP. Started experiencing hesitation, low power while driving up hills. Long story short, finally had my tune up at about 110,000. Called around to see who had experience with these engines, ended up at a dealer, and 6 broken plugs and $900+ later, problem solved.
Then more problems about a year later, 124,000. Hesitation and mis-firing at around 40mph and 1300rpm, and then at higher speeds when the rpm's are lowered.
Eventually got a 306 and 430 code. Checked the #6 cylinder, put on a new COP, exchanged it with another COP, nothing really changed. Then a ticking noise started.
Tried pulling out the #6 plug again. Unfortunately, only half of it came out.
Called around, found a place with some experience with these engines and the plug tool. Didn't want to go back to dealership.
Extracted the plug, no further damage. He said it was "burned", which led to the plug breaking. Compression test was fine, put plug back in, started getting codes for three other cylinders.
Their worry were cam phasers, a pretty expensive problem, So they ran compression tests for all cylinders, replaced all the plugs. And no issues were found with fuel injectors, nor the COP's. Turns out, not all the plugs were tightened properly, and it sounded like no anti-seize was used. Maybe three plugs had tips that were burned/melted.
I noticed the difference as soon as I left the parking lot. No more ticking sound, no hesitation, misfiring, etc. instantly about 4-6 mpg increase. Best $400 I ever spent. Wasted too many hours trying to play deputy mechanic.
2006 EXP. Started experiencing hesitation, low power while driving up hills. Long story short, finally had my tune up at about 110,000. Called around to see who had experience with these engines, ended up at a dealer, and 6 broken plugs and $900+ later, problem solved.
Then more problems about a year later, 124,000. Hesitation and mis-firing at around 40mph and 1300rpm, and then at higher speeds when the rpm's are lowered.
Eventually got a 306 and 430 code. Checked the #6 cylinder, put on a new COP, exchanged it with another COP, nothing really changed. Then a ticking noise started.
Tried pulling out the #6 plug again. Unfortunately, only half of it came out.
Called around, found a place with some experience with these engines and the plug tool. Didn't want to go back to dealership.
Extracted the plug, no further damage. He said it was "burned", which led to the plug breaking. Compression test was fine, put plug back in, started getting codes for three other cylinders.
Their worry were cam phasers, a pretty expensive problem, So they ran compression tests for all cylinders, replaced all the plugs. And no issues were found with fuel injectors, nor the COP's. Turns out, not all the plugs were tightened properly, and it sounded like no anti-seize was used. Maybe three plugs had tips that were burned/melted.
I noticed the difference as soon as I left the parking lot. No more ticking sound, no hesitation, misfiring, etc. instantly about 4-6 mpg increase. Best $400 I ever spent. Wasted too many hours trying to play deputy mechanic.
