99 5.4 issues

[Sclass-hole]

Well, I got in the truck today and fired it up. It was running rough but I thought maybe the temperature change might have something to do with it. Pulled out of the driveway and it was not getting any better. Noticed a little gas smell so I drove it about 2 miles and it got up to speed but still ran like crap. Took it home and drove my other car to work.

Clearly, I need to address the situation because it's not going to make it back and forth to work running in it's current condition. I'm going to open it up tomorrow and look it over. Any advice on where to start? I don't have a code reader and I'd be nervous to try and drive it to Autozone to have them read the codes. I figure I'll check the elbows to see if there are any cracks but what else should I be looking for? I'm not real familiar with this engine yet so any help (and specifics on what to be on the lookout for) would be greatly appreciated. I'm handy enough to fix the problem if I can find it but I'm not real great at diagnosing and I would hate to just start throwing money at plugs, cops and fuel filters.

Thanks - Matt

 

[treycool94]

there is an app for that lol idk what it it the 3 that you listed sond pretty good but might be an o2 sensor

 

[walnuts4x4]

I would check for a vacuum leak first and then check to make sure that you don't have a plug coming loose or out already... then go from there... check the elbow on pass side of throttle body

 

[Sclass-hole]

Well, couldn't find a vacuum leak anywhere. Throttle body looks a little dirty. Any words of advice on the best way to clean it up? Looks like a real pain to take off so I'm hoping I can do it while it's still attached.

 

[BakerEdition]

How many miles? you could have a plug or coil pack.....do you have any problem getting it up to speed....I mean, I know its missing...but does it feel like it would hit 25mph and no faster?

 

[Sclass-hole]

How many miles? you could have a plug or coil pack.....do you have any problem getting it up to speed....I mean, I know its missing...but does it feel like it would hit 25mph and no faster?

256K and it will go as fast as I want. I had it up to around 50 but it ran just as rough as it does at 20.

 

[BakerEdition]

sounds like plugs and coil pack time....make sure you replace plugs with Motorcraft OE replacements...coil packs you can find good deals on ebay....Just be careful with those plugs coming out....nice and easy....and use anit-seize on the new ones going in...and torque then to factory specs...

 

[Sclass-hole]

sounds like plugs and coil pack time....make sure you replace plugs with Motorcraft OE replacements...coil packs you can find good deals on ebay....Just be careful with those plugs coming out....nice and easy....and use anit-seize on the new ones going in...and torque then to factory specs...

That was the direction I was leaning also. Funny how a vehicle I bought for the winter might not be ready until spring!

 

[2000eb]

DO NOT use anti-seize on these plugs use the motorcraft plugs they have aluminum threads and tq to spec. antiseize will not give you an accurate tq. other vehicles i would say yes anti seize but for the 5.4l NO ANTISEIZE. i did alot of research before i did my plugs and everything said no! too tight you break the threads, too loose plug works loose and shakes and boom blown plug. no need for antiseize with aluminum spark plug threads and aluminum heads

 

[superexpy]

DO NOT use anti-seize on these plugs use the motorcraft plugs they have aluminum threads and tq to spec. antiseize will not give you an accurate tq. other vehicles i would say yes anti seize but for the 5.4l NO ANTISEIZE. i did alot of research before i did my plugs and everything said no! too tight you break the threads, too loose plug works loose and shakes and boom blown plug. no need for antiseize with aluminum spark plug threads and aluminum heads

Agreed! I have changed alot of plugs and never used antiseize and never had a problem.

 

[sgtowing]

That was the direction I was leaning also. Funny how a vehicle I bought for the winter might not be ready until spring!

You can thank Murphy for that.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

 

[Mikiedoo]

I would go ahead and invest in a code reader / with erase capabilities if I were you. I got mine at advance auto for $59.00

You really need to see if you have any pressing codes or potential codes bieng thrown.
For example, if it is a coil pack giving you fits... you would be hard pressed to find which one without it telling you exactly which cylinder. Unless you have cash to just throw parts at it and hope you fix it.

Even with a code reader, sometimes the problem can be a pain in the ass to fix. I had a code showing on mine ( cant remember the number ) but it was a generic that pointed to various things, like vac leaks.

Come to find out, mine ran just like you described and it was the upper and lower intake gaskets rotted.
I went through weeks of replacing pcv lines, hoses and even egr stuff that looked worn. I was hoping for an easy quick fix, but in the long run it was the harder of fixes. A shop quoted me $450 and I just bought parts, put expy in garage and did it myself.
Hope this gives you some direction.

 

[Sclass-hole]

Well after a few cocktails and a heart to heart discussion with myself, I decided I'm going to get rid of the Expedition. I rationalized it by taking into consideration how much I spent on the vehicle to purchase it, how much I've spent so far in repairs and how much I'll be likely to spend in the future. I hate it because I really did like driving it but practicality dictates I unload the Expedition and look for another winter ride.

I want to thank everyone for welcoming me and sharing their experiences. Maybe one day, I'll come across another Expedition and will come crawling back with my tail between my legs. If anyone lives in or around Indianapolis and wants to buy my Expedition for $1600, shoot me an email [email protected]

Matt

 

[BakerEdition]

dont feel you cant stick around becuase you dont have a expedition...and never worry about coming back....everyone is always welcome....no strangers here, just friends...have any pictures of this beast?

 

[Sclass-hole]

dont feel you cant stick around becuase you dont have a expedition...and never worry about coming back....everyone is always welcome....no strangers here, just friends...have any pictures of this beast?

Well.....

After driving the Expedition to show a potential buyer, I realized how much I really like this thing. I also realized that running the way it does, isn't going to make anyone want to pay what it's worth.

I just ordered new plugs, coils, fuel filter and egr valve. I'm going to take a few days off next week and really take a look at the truck while I'm tuning it up. Hopefully, this fixes my rough idle under load issue and I can focus on driving it and adding a few "non necessities".

 

[Sclass-hole]

Happy to report the Expedition is running great. Instead of trying to isolate the problem, I decided to go on a mass parts replacement spree. Yesterday, my COP's came in from Global and I replaced the plugs, coils, fuel filter, air filter, PCV valve and EGR valve. I went ahead and changed the oil and filter too just for good measure. Drove it about 10 miles yesterday and then 25 miles this morning. Thanks to everyone for your support and knowledge. While you might have not have directly given me the information, the search function proved to be a life saver.

I'm on the hunt for some headlights because mine are yellowed pretty bad and I tried 3 different products to clean them up with no success. If anyone has done a replacement and has some decent ones lying around at a decent price, let me know how much and where to send the money.

Matt

 

[Sclass-hole]

Well hell.

Expedition ran fine all weekend. It rained last night and when I got in it to go to work, ran like crap. There has to be something getting wet and causing this problem because the first time it did this, was after some rain. I didn't drive it in the rain so it must be dripping in the engine bay somewhere and puddling. Gonna open it up today and see if I can find a moisture issue. Anyone else ever have this happen?