Please Help!!

[WCoverdale]

I recently bought a 2007 expy with about 103500 miles. I loved it and it ran great for about 2 weeks then I blew a coolant line. I got that fixed the next day and everything was fine and truck ran great. Well one night I was heading to my buddies house and I was accelerating up the hill before his house. All of a sudden it started "skipping" for lack of a better term. Sure enough I look on the dash and the engine light is blinking. From what I understand a blinking engine light always means misfire. After about 5 seconds the light went away and it was running the way it did before. Ever since that day I've noticed the issue has gotten worse and worse. It happens most when merging on to the highway or giving it a little gas to get up a hill on the highway. It even happens when I have the cruise control on and I hit a slight Hill on the high way. I've tried to read the engine code but because the light isn't constantly on so it comes up blank. I've read up on the issue and asked about 12 different mechanics across the country and I've gotten a few different ideas. The one I get the most is the spark plugs and coils. The only problem with that is there is 8 of each and that will get pricey fast. I've also gotten answers such as fuel pump,fuel filter,fuel injectors,maf sensor and even transmission fluid. If anyone has any experience with this issue or any idea of how to fix it or what the issue is I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[stamp11127]

Since the issue is getting worse you will eventually have a code in the pcm. Platinum spark plugs are usually good for up to 100,000 miles if I remember correctly, so it is due for a new set if they haven't been changed.

Cost of the tune up is the price you pay when owning a vehicle. Just like tires, oil changes etc.

If you don't have a code and start tossing parts at it, the costs will be even higher than a tuneup - diagnose it correctly and save your money.

 

[WCoverdale]

Yeah I talked to the mechanic and told him I've been driving around it because it's violent shaking and I don't want to hurt it anymore than I have to. He said to not drive around it so that the code pops long enough to stay there permanently. Would that be the best way to diagnose it?

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[stamp11127]

I would start with a tune-up if it hasn't already been done. Stay with motorcraft cops if you change them - read the threads on here about those that haven't and went with the cheaper junk.

What your mechanic is teling you is sound advice, listen to him/her. If you don't, the bill down the road will be substantially higher.

 

[Skauber]

To say it like this, a blinking check engine light means that you have a "class A misfire" going on. This is even mentioned in the owners manual as being a problem that could cause permanent damage to the engine or components and you should service it as soon as possible. Basically, a Class A misfire is a "dead" cylinder. A dead cylinder can potentially dump raw fuel into you exhaust, and into your very expensive catalytic converters and damage them. Get it fixed before you ruin your cats!

 

[WCoverdale]

Well as Stamp said I guess I'll start with the spark plugs and if that doesn't fix it I'll do cops then fuel filter/fuel pump. I can't let this problem keep happening if it's going to tear apart my engine.


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[stamp11127]

Change the plugs only because it is due for a new set. Don't toss parts at it and hope you get lucky.

Once you swap plugs take a look at the electrodes of each of the old ones. That will give you some information on how healthy the cylinders are, also note the gap of the plugs if they are single electrode.

 

[WCoverdale]

I bought the truck at 103500 and at 98000 miles the carfax report said it went in for its scheduled maintenance does that usually include spark plugs or is that just oil change,fluid top off,etc...?


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[WCoverdale]

Just an update: So I went on a ride with my buddy and noticed that the light comes on every time if I accelerate hard and get it to around 4-5k rpm. The light blinks 35 times and goes away. It runs a little rough during the blinks but then it goes away and runs fine again. Still thinking spark plugs?


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[Tony@MTVA]

I had similar problems with my 2003. When the engine is put under a higher than normal load it would miss. EX: going up hill or accelarating to pass. Mech said it was coil pack. I replaced them all since when one goes out they trend to continue to go out on the other cylinders. This solved the problem. Your mechanic should be able to tell you if it is the coil pack, plug or something else.

 

[WCoverdale]

Even without a code? Would they run a compression test? Or is there other means of figuring it out


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[46L281GT]

Everyone your engine light blinks, if stores a code. You can go to a parts store and they can read it. It's true that the COPs die all at once often. But if you are struggling financially then the best bet is read the code and buy one cop and put it in that cylinder. I would also still do plugs if it's not been done already.

 

[WCoverdale]

So there is a history for fault codes in the computer?? Do they make OBD scanners that you can use when driving because I can probably reproduce the engine light


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[k9education]

So there is a history for fault codes in the computer?? Do they make OBD scanners that you can use when driving because I can probably reproduce the engine light


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There are a bunch out there that do this, but I think the UltraGauge MX gives you some of the best bang for your buck. It will display both trouble codes and pending trouble codes. I believe you would want the "Ford Other (Not CAN)" under pre-programming options (I believe I read in other thread that you have a 2007).

UltraGauge MX 1.3 (NEW) [UltraGauge_MX_1.3] - $79.95 : UltraGauge, OBD II Scan Tool & Information Center

 

[46L281GT]

If you went to advance auto parts right now without the light on they would be able to see which cylinder it is. It stores it for a little while.

 

[WCoverdale]

How do they do that ?


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[46L281GT]

with a code reader. just about any parts store will have one and its free.

 

[WCoverdale]

I didn't realize that the parts store would have one that could look into history


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[46L281GT]

it will but only for so long. you'll need to go a couple of days after the misfire occurs. the longer you wait, the more damage you are doing to the cats

 

[WCoverdale]

Okay I'll head there today. Thanks for the help!


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