Intermittent Misfire, Line $06 data

[Calabrio]

1998 Navigator has a misfire that's worse when the engine hasn't been run for a day or it's cold outside. Unfortunately, it's also not throwing any codes.

The plugs and wires are all brand new motorcraft parts, no more than four months old.

I hooked up my BLUEDRIVER to it hoping to retrieve the line6 data and see which cylinder(s) are reporting the misfire. Unfortunately, I don't see TID 51 or 53 in the report.

I contacted BLUEDRIVER and they said that the truck might not record that data.
Could that be true? I find that difficult to believe.

How else can I identify the misfire short of randomly replacing parts?

 

[docraymund]

Do a cylinder balance test when the misfire is occuring.

 

[Calabrio]

Interesting-
I'm using a Bluedriver and the Mode$06 data doesn't include anything over TID50.

The support team at BlueDriver are very helpful and responsive, but they don't know why this would be, unless the '98 didn't support the test counting misfires.
Does anyone else have any experience with this?

Thank you for the response, but I don't think I have the equipment to do a cylinder balance test.
The only diagnostic gear I have on hand is limited to a BLUEDRIVER OBDII reader.

 

[Russell Lewis]

Test for pending codes. I know at Orilies the check missfires per cylinder but has to have check engine lite on

Generaly hook it up test for error codes even though none will show pending. What’s to mfg/modle scanner see if I see how its done on yours

 

[Calabrio]

There's the challenge, it's not throwing any code.
That's why I was hoping that the mode6 data would provide the information.

 

[Calabrio]

Has anyone else used any of the non-proprietary obdII scanners on the '98? Were you able to recover the misfire data that should be in $53? I still can't recover anything over $50

 

[Adieu]

Well first off test resistance across pins in injectors and COPs, to see if there's one that stands out.

If not... pull up fuel rail and visually inspect injectors for clogs. Possibly remove injectors and manually test them by applying a 9v battery to the pins.

How intermittent, btw? Could you quickly tell if the misfiring cylinder was no longer misfiring? Then unplugging corresponding COPs and injectors you can try running on 7 cylinders and seeing if deactivating that cylinder makes things worse or better

 

[Adieu]

PS can you use Torque Lite / Pro with this Bluedriver thing, or just proprietary software??


Cuz Torque can pull pending codes just fine

 

[Calabrio]

Increasingly consistent misfire-
when it's misfiring, you know. But sometimes, it doesn't. Sometimes at idle. Most likely when under load. Worse when cold.

I'd like to disturb as little as possible, so if I can use the OBDII data to provide some focus, I'd prefer to do that.
And, I know I'm not alone, but I'd like to disturb cylinders 4 & 8 as little as possible. I find #4 to be a truly hateful place.


Regarding the scanner:
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/auto/lemur-bluedriver/review/

I think it's limited to their proprietary software, which is generally exceptionally good, constantly being updated, and very well supported.

This is the MODE6 data I'm pulling.

 

[Adieu]

Im not sure how different your engine bay is laid out, but I found #8 to be a bit of a pain but less than expected....and #3 was it? Not 4 like expected but either 3 or 7, something making the angle of access really awkward

I didnt take off anything whatsoever to access them though, just left everything in place. And stood on a footstool to reach in.