Coil Problem?

[Beobe]

I have a one-owner '97 2WD 5.4L Eddie Bauer Expedition with 152,000 miles. Replaced trans about 1-yr ago. Not too long after engine began missing -- in high gear, RPM's 1,200 or so, speed 45 - 55. If eased down on accelerator (keeping out of passing gear) engine would start jerking, particularly if going up an incline. Sometimes very pronounced. Live in FL so not a lot of hills. At 110k miles had the recommended 100k service to include plugs.

Mechanic suggested cylinder coil but told me could not do anything until the CEL came on in order to determne which cylinder coil is the problem. Has been a year of continued problem and yet to see CEL indicator. During this time have driven vehicle to/from work only so can baby it as afraid to head out on the road and get stranded.

Now trying to evaluate -- what is the problem; is this something correctible at a reasonable cost; or should I be considering replacement of the vehicle? (want to avoid if possible due to economy)

 

[Racenut]

I have a one-owner '97 2WD 5.4L Eddie Bauer Expedition with 152,000 miles. Replaced trans about 1-yr ago. Not too long after engine began missing -- in high gear, RPM's 1,200 or so, speed 45 - 55. If eased down on accelerator (keeping out of passing gear) engine would start jerking, particularly if going up an incline. Sometimes very pronounced. Live in FL so not a lot of hills. At 110k miles had the recommended 100k service to include plugs.

Mechanic suggested cylinder coil but told me could not do anything until the CEL came on in order to determne which cylinder coil is the problem. Has been a year of continued problem and yet to see CEL indicator. During this time have driven vehicle to/from work only so can baby it as afraid to head out on the road and get stranded.

Now trying to evaluate -- what is the problem; is this something correctible at a reasonable cost; or should I be considering replacement of the vehicle? (want to avoid if possible due to economy)

When they did the service did they put in new coils as well or just change the plugs?

You can pick up a set of coils ( 8 ) on ebay for around $100 shipped or you can step up to like the Accel coils ( 8 ) for around $250.

I have an '02 EB with the 5.4l 2wd 115k and I have a slight miss at idle. The dealer told me the same that they can not diagnose with out the CEL but after talking with one of the mechanics, he told me that the coils usually start getting weak enough to start with a slight miss around 100K or more and then it is a guessing game on how long they will last after that. He also said that by the time the CEL comes on that the coil is almost completly dead.

I don't think that it is anything that you would need to consider getting rid of the Expy over. I would defenatly replace the coils if they have not all ready been done ( and if they have you may have a bad one, $ 100 to replace all is cheaper than a new rig ) and check for vaccum leaks as that could cause it as well. Belive it or not it could be something as easy as a battery on its way out or even an alternator on it's way out ( higher rpm requires more voltage ) take it by your local auto parts store and have them run a charging system test on it.

Also do you run any fuel system cleaner thru it? Replaced fuel filter recently? Dirty injectors or a full fuel filter will also cause a hesitation or miss under aceleration in overdrive ( not as noticable in a lower gear due to higher rpms and the lower gear itself makes it easier to accel ).

Hope thru my rambaling it will give you a direction to look in

 

[Beobe]

Racenut:

At 109k miles they replaced the plugs and only "checked" the coils. Gas filter was replaced recently. Have not utilized fuel system cleaner.

My independent mechanic had talked about coils at approx. $82 each ($856 for all) but without engine light would not be able to isolate which one. Did not suggest less expensive alternative.

Ford dealer has suggested if their check finds a bad coil (and they can check without CEL and isolate a bad coil ???) , it will be $152.76 plus labor of $94.95 each. Not liking that quote. Also suggested "induction service" at $139.95 and engine tune-up -- plugs only -- at $379.95.

So, it is sounding like a coil and with the miles on the vehicle, should replace all and get at an after-market source and have my independent mechanic do the work.

But, with 152,000 on it, I have to think about other things wearing out so replacement of the vehicle is a consideration I must think about -- but I have really enjoyed the Expy.

 

[01exp4x4]

Just change you coils and spark plugs yourself!

I am just about to order a set of coils and plugs to tune up my exp.
about $120 for all new coils and spark plugs...

Looks like anyone, with a little patience, could change them out.

Just try!

Or maybe you are just looking for an excuse to get rid of it?

 

[Racenut]

Racenut:

At 109k miles they replaced the plugs and only "checked" the coils. Gas filter was replaced recently. Have not utilized fuel system cleaner.

My independent mechanic had talked about coils at approx. $82 each ($856 for all) but without engine light would not be able to isolate which one. Did not suggest less expensive alternative.

Ford dealer has suggested if their check finds a bad coil (and they can check without CEL and isolate a bad coil ???) , it will be $152.76 plus labor of $94.95 each. Not liking that quote. Also suggested "induction service" at $139.95 and engine tune-up -- plugs only -- at $379.95.

So, it is sounding like a coil and with the miles on the vehicle, should replace all and get at an after-market source and have my independent mechanic do the work.

But, with 152,000 on it, I have to think about other things wearing out so replacement of the vehicle is a consideration I must think about -- but I have really enjoyed the Expy.

I would stay away from the dealer prices for sure, like I said on ebay you can get a full set for right around $100 or you could get the accel set for around $250. It is a job you can do in your drive way, don't get me wrong it will be a PITA to get to the rear coils but again can be done and save some labor costs. There is only one bolt per coil holding it in, unhook the conector, plug in the new one drop it in the hole and tighten her down the rears are only hard because you have to wiggle thru the other hoses and wiring.

Regarding the induction service, go down to your local parts house get a can of INTAKE CLEANER and a can of MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR CLEANER ( aprox $12 ) remove the air cleaner and unhook the intake from the throttle body. Once you get that out of the truck look at the end the air filter goes to and spray the little piece in there with the Mass airflow sensor cleaner and let it dry. Then take the Intake cleaner and spray it in the throttle body and use a shop rag to clean of all the black oil residue ( repeat as many times as needed ) put it all back to gether and your done ( maybe 1/2 hour tops ) BTW this actually helps your rig alot, I make sure to do it with every oil change.

There are more things you can do like use a product called Sea Foam $ 10 ( follow the directions on the can, then drive like hell and watch all the blue/black carbon come out the exhaust ) these little things that so often get overlooked will help you get the most life out of your rig.

Check out this thread many owners with well over 200k and one with 370k on the original motor and trans. As long as you take care of it and do preventitive maintnance the Expy should treat you well.

http://expeditionforum.com/showthread.php?t=5152

But I also have the mentality that if I own it and enjoy it, fix it because it will be cheaper in the long run, but that is just me. Alot of people would look at replacement but you said it in the first post with the way the economy is right now, I would rather spend a couple hundred now and again verses a car payment every month for the next ??? years at least until the country gets out of the hole it is in.