Pleeeease HELP :)

[ssawyers91]

Ok, so I'm a 21 year old woman that knows near to nothing about cars but my 2000 Expedition was idling really rough on cold mornings and would sometimes die while stopped at red lights.
The check engine light came on a few days ago and started blinking, a minute later it started shaking really bad. Like the motor was just gonna fall out.
Had it scanned at Auto Zone and they gave me these codes P0308 and P0174.
My dad reset it and had it scanned again and they said it was an oxygen sensor.
Before i go spending a crap load of money to get it fixed, has anyone had this happen? If so what was done to fix the problem.

 

[FordandPolaris]

A bad O2 sensor can be a problem, but it shouldn't be causing your rough idle, its more likely that this is the cause

Click me ----->http://www.expeditionforum.com/f27/rough-idle-p0171-p0174-heres-what-you-need-check-first-4926/

The other code is a misfire code I believe, and it should be on cylinder 8, which unfortunately is the one in the back right when looking at the engine from the front of the truck. Best thing to do is to replace the Coil On Plug (COP) and the spark plug. Should fix your problem. This is the more important thing to have fixed, the P0174 code is most likely not something dire to the running of the truck. This should also be helpful in your search to solve the problem.

Click me ----->http://troubleshootmyvehicle.com/ford/4.6L-5.4L/how-to-diagnose-misfire-codes-1

 

[ssawyers91]

I read that thread, went out and looked and sure enough there is a huge hole in the elbow. I'm gonna replace it tonight or in the morning. Thanks so much!

 

[FordandPolaris]

Not a problem, had the same issue with my truck. I forget what the thread says exactly, but I know when I replaced mine, I got the part from Ford. They only had the entire PCV setup (cost around 40 bucks), not the elbow itself. Good luck. However, like I said, if you are getting a misfire code, fixing that elbow is probably not going to make that go away. More than likely you have two separate issues.

 

[ssawyers91]

Right. After getting that code I called a few repair shops and they said I'll have to have the spark plugs and coil packs replaced. One mechanic said you need a special tool to do this so it's best to just take it to the dealership.

 

[FordandPolaris]

Well I don't know what they are talking about, it is difficult, but not impossible... I have been doing my COP's as they go bad in the parking lot of my apartment. No special tools needed other than a spark plug socket, a universal joint or two, and many extensions. All of which any shop should have. Don't take it to the stealership if you can help it. They always overcharge in my opinion, and they try and tell you things need to be replaced ASAP when that is actually not the case. It is probably cheapest to have them all done at once (as opposed to keep having it brought back to the shop each time one burns out), but if money is tight, you can have just the one replaced for now and the truck should still run fine. I had a shop replace a single one a couple years ago, cost about $300 bucks, and they quoted me $800 to have all of them done. After that I just started doing them myself. If you are thinking of trying it on your own, I can try and find some pictures of what to look for, and write it up for you. Otherwise just look for a shop that will do it.

 

[walnuts4x4]

spark plug tool is usually in regards to the 3V motors were the plug snaps off since it is a 2 part plug.... but with our 2V motors the problem is there is only 2-3 threads on the heads and they are known to blow out.... biggest thing is to take time when removing the plug and when you put it back on make sure to not cross thread it and torque it to spec... and many debate the use of never seize on plugs... I did not use it and knock on wood never had a problem....

 

[BigJuicy02]

Never used anti-seize on mine. Just thread them in by hand then snug to up with a ratchet. No problem. But I really hate the shallow thread design. Too easy to really screw something up if your not careful.