07navi
Full Access Members
I don't know what I would do without you.
Blinking check engine light
- Thread starter HavasuMike
- Start date
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Is this "Maculoco" a engine god of some sort?
07navi
Full Access Members
Just an experienced ford mechanic on you tube.
vincentrose
Well-Known Member
I just bought mine a few months ago, it had 132,000 miles, and when I punched it, it did it to me too. Engine is misfiring, goto Autozone or Advance Auto to confirm, they will usually read your codes for free if you ask them nicely. I replaced all spark plugs. it definitely needed them, the gap was at least 1/8 inch on all them, went back to Autozone to have codes cleared, problem never happened again.
Motorcity muscle
Full Access Members
Had a mis-fire on mine at 128,000, found one of the coil boots was letting moisture in. Cleaned all of them and applied some die-electric grease to the boots, been good for two years now.
@07navi you're a big jerk! LOL - I'm kidding. But, funny how this thread took place and this past weekend my check engine light went flashing, motor acted like a plug coil went bad, then recovered. Did this while trying to pass someone on the interstate. Got home, found a DTC for misfire Cyl 8. Didn't happen again - tried to make it happen. SO - here's the rest of the story.
Due to our fun conversation here, I started googling things and came across the video you linked, or referred to, by Maculoco. Very telling. Decided to take the truck to the dealership (my local corner place let me down, so decided to go there instead). Decided to have just about all my fluids changed - transmission, differentials, transfer case, radiator, brakes. Oil wasn't time and completely forgot about power steering fluid. What else did I do? Told them to replace all the plugs. When I looked at the job, decided it was more than I wanted to tackle. Especially with the two next to the firewall. All in all - $1,570 worth of work. Hence, calling you a big jerk. That's a lot of money. BUT - really happy I did it, so thank you for making me think. Turns out, (drum roll) the issue I had with the check engine light was.........the plug at Cyl 8 was cracked. Didn't need a new coil over. GO FIGURE. We're here arguing about it and BAM - this happens to me. LOL - well, there you go. Hope others learn from this as well.
Bigfishfin
Full Access Members
Maculoco shared something about Ford's high mileage service recommendations are a ploy to sell vehicles...And by the time failures materialize the factory warranty has expired...Makes sense to me and I tend to keep my vehicles a long time...I change my full synthetic oil and filter at 5K and just did all other fluids, lubes and spark plugs at 50K...If you drive it, take care it!...
07navi
Full Access Members
I doubt that but I complained that he answers very few questions and leaves everyone hanging and he said "I don't time for that, I don't even have time for my family". He's all about the money and, as a former mechanic, there is a lot he does the hard way and he does kiss up to various parts people.
Bigfishfin
Full Access Members
What exactly do you doubt?...That a manufacturer would tell customers that they have a virtually maintenance free product as a selling point? Or that a heavy duty radiator is a special option, when by real world examples it clearly is not?...If so, I have some ocean front property property in Death Valley for sale really cheap!...
JasonH
Full Access Members
Purely anecdotal, but I had my oil tested twice with a 9K interval and all wear numbers were normal, and the additive pack was still good. I think it really depends on your use case. Mine is mixed city and highway. Having said that, I'll probably get my tranny and diff oil tested as well, since I'm around 112K now on what I believe are the original fluids (I purchased used).
Having a lab test your fluids is a smart move. I've thought about getting it done with my truck as well. Do it with my diesel generators at work quarterly. I always forget to ask, though, with my personal stuff.
We had a Honda Accord once. It was having transmission issues. Forget the milage, but it was aged. Honda's stance was "don't ever change transmission fluid - in fact, don't ever open a transmission - it's sealed. If you do, we won't help you". Their position was - by the time your transmission goes, replace it. I thought it was bizarre. Took it to a particular AAMCO a friend takes his dealership cars to (used car dealership). They opened it up and did a rebuild for me. MUCH cheaper than a replacement and it lasted for a while - until we sold it.
I've also heard if you don't change your transmission fluid by the manufacturers recommendation, may as well never do it. If you do, the stuff sitting on the bottom gets sucked up through the transmission as you replace the fluid and it trashes it.
Not everyone lives in the same place, same environment, or even if they do - drive the exact same way under the exact same demand. SO all maintenance recommendations are just that, recommendations. Probably based on ideal conditions. I was not at the recommended spark plug replacement milage but ended up having a broke plug. Being close enough, replaced them all so I wouldn't have to concern myself with it. And - seemed like good advice from 07navi after looking in to it all.
I've also heard if you don't change your transmission fluid by the manufacturers recommendation, may as well never do it. If you do, the stuff sitting on the bottom gets sucked up through the transmission as you replace the fluid and it trashes it.
Not everyone lives in the same place, same environment, or even if they do - drive the exact same way under the exact same demand. SO all maintenance recommendations are just that, recommendations. Probably based on ideal conditions. I was not at the recommended spark plug replacement milage but ended up having a broke plug. Being close enough, replaced them all so I wouldn't have to concern myself with it. And - seemed like good advice from 07navi after looking in to it all.
Bigfishfin
Full Access Members
FWIW, I don't ever buy extended warranties...But I do maintenance on the conservative side...As noted, I tend to keep vehicles for a long term (last SUV was for 20 years)...I don't like to get into the trap of: gee, it has been a long time since I serviced that, maybe I ought to sell before it breaks...
JasonH
Full Access Members
Some Hondas are weird. Their transmissions were manuals with solenoids controlling the gear shifts. I had a 2000 Accord that had transmission issues beginning around 150K. I think it was my fault for not following the service schedule properly. Instead of cycling fluid through the transmission 3 times, I only did it once. The filters for the solenoids got clogged, which reduced the pressure to the clutches, which threw off more material...eventually it just shifted like crap all the time. My 2002 Odyssey also had tranny issues and and required a rebuild, but that one was a known dog. The transmission in my 2008 Odyssey was much more robust and made it to 200K, when I got rid of it. The manual transmission in my 1994 Accord went around 210K on the original clutch (sold it to my uncle). That was an awesome car. Bought it cash for $7,400 after my brand new Ford Focus flooded. Drove it for over 100K miles with only routine maintenance items + a clutch slave cylinder and brake master cylinder. Damn near bulletproof reliability.
HavasuMike
Full Access Members
Just for information. You were right. It was code P0304 cylinder 4 misfire.
Trainmaster
Old School Member
Thanks for getting back to us. Nice to be right for a change. Seems at home, I'm never right.
