popping noise

[tilliepeople]

While driving my 2001 expedition the engine started a loud popping noise .
Almost sounds like I blew a spark plug out .
It's been showing codes P0171 and P0174 since the weather got cold .
and now added P0125 and P0307
Thinking I blew a gasket someplace but can not find it .
It's about 10 degrees and I am working outside .
I have an appointment at a shop tomorrow but would like to have a better idea as to what could cause this .
Oh yea , it is a 5.4 4x4

 

[docraymund]

You may need to check the coolant temp sensor and the spark plug and fuel injector on cylinder 7. You have a lean misfire.

 

[1955moose]

P0307 is misfire on #7, if you blew a head gasket, normally you'd have two banks side by side acting up. The p071 and 074 are real common, usually something involving pcv hose, or elbow. One member actually had those two codes and had a failing fuel pump. Hate to jump to conclusions but it sounds like a bad valve on #7 or an adjacent cylinder. The other thing that sometimes causes a popping is a failed smog pump. Keep us posted what you find, post it for the others, Moose.

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[tilliepeople]

Now I feel foolish.
Turns out I actually did blow a plug out.
mechanic said it was pretty normal for these engines .He was sick and going home so I drove back home .
Threads on the plug still look pretty good ,so tomorrow I will attempt to just put a new plug and coil in it .I might have to run out and buy a thread chaser but that is better than having to put a helicoil in
.

 

[Plati]

Is there any chance the problem that lead to the P0171 / P0174 contributed to plug blowout?

I just replaced a damaged PCV vacuum hose elbow to fix that on my 2003 5.4

I think I read somewhere that my 2003 5.4 is before the 3V problem and after the plug blowout problem. Clean living I guess.

 

[1955moose]

Those codes are #1and #4 lean codes. What cylinder did spark plug spit out? Your mechanic had to be on deaths door to miss an ejected spark plug,! You dodged a bullet if the threads are intact. I've never heard of a jettisoned spark plug that didn't take the threads with it. I wouldn't chance not putting a nut sert thread on that bank. The chances of the new spark plug holding are slim with out it. I know these early models are tough but 14-18 ft lbs on spark plugs usually keep them intact. Sorry you had a plug spit on you, but better than a burnt/broken exaust valve, or broken spring!

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[tilliepeople]

Although he looked like he was on deaths door he is not the one who missed it .I was.
Even though I knew what it sounded like it never occurred to me that it actually would happen Only time will tell if it contributed to the fault codes ,but it is very likely.
I do hope I dodged that bullet .This mechanic is just now setting up his business an told me he did not have the tools to put a helicoil in and recommended a different mechanic

 

[1955moose]

Shop around, find a mechanic or better still a machine shop that's successfully done the repair. Good luck, Moose.

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[tilliepeople]

I went ahead an re-tapped the threads. yes it will probably blow out but finances dictate at least trying it.Torqued good so I am a little optimistic
The mechanic did recommend another mechanic that has the equipment to do it right so it may go to him in the near future

 

[Plati]

Retap threads? Won't that dump the cuttings down into they cylinder?

 

[tilliepeople]

yes and no.
Basically you are just cleaning up the threads and not recutting them .That why it's called a chaser and not a tap .
With a little luck any filings will just go out in the exhaust .I did blow it out before installing the plug .
Yes I know I am taking a chance but the furnace came first and that leaves me cash poor.
If it lasts until spring I will either trade it in or fix it right .

 

[Plati]

yes and no.
Basically you are just cleaning up the threads and not recutting them .That why it's called a chaser and not a tap .
With a little luck any filings will just go out in the exhaust .I did blow it out before installing the plug .
Yes I know I am taking a chance but the furnace came first and that leaves me cash poor.
If it lasts until spring I will either trade it in or fix it right .

Hey, ya gotta do what ya gotta do, right.

So its sort of like a boilermaker, with Coors Light as the chaser!

I'm not familiar with these plugs blowing out but if they blow out and don't screw out then I don't see how there could be any threads left to hold them in, even after the Coors Light. I've tried tricks like adding a thin layer of shim stock with threads like that (or threadlocker) but never had much luck doing that and certainly never tried it on a spark plug.

I wish you the best of luck

 

[tilliepeople]

Well it's running. I put about 10 miles on just to try it out .Did not want to get to far from home .
Codes did not return an it actually felt smoother than before .
I do not consider this a permanent fix but I will try to make it until spring .
Who knows . Maybe I will get a little refund from my Uncle and update it some .

 

[1955moose]

Well everyone deserves a miracle in life. I personally would have not tried to do anything with the threads but try and screw in the plug, and hold my breath! Your thread from that cylinder might be the amazing candle that should have burned one night, but lasted eight! Got to take care of family and heat first, pick up a $500.00 clunker to get family around, I've done it. Look around you might find a mobile mechanic that can fix that hole cheaper, with a quality repair. I used to do a lot of mobile work back in my younger days. Keep us posted as to your vehicle, and your well being. Stay in touch! Moose.

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[tilliepeople]

I had contacted about 4 shops and a mobile mechanic first but none could get it in until at least next week and I really needed it this weekend .Figured it was worth a shot.
If I get any fault codes it will go to a shop right away .

 

[steve66]

I had a spark plug blow out on me. Put a new plug and coil pack in and over five thousand miles later still going strong(knocking on wood)

 

[1955moose]

You sir have an angel perched on your shoulder. Think about this for a minute, you've got soft aluminum threads, half the amount of normal, you jettisoned a spark plug due to lack of proper tightening, and lack of threads. Yet your new spark plug screwed in, tightened down, and held! Again you sir have dodged a 9mm shell aimed right at you!

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[eluther3]

I have had plugs blow on me two different times. Put in a helicoil both times and neither plug has blown again. That was 5 years ago, and at least one plug change

 

[tilliepeople]

I see fleabay has kits for new inserts at a reasonable price .Looks pretty straight forward and unless the old threads are real bad there is no drilling .
I may order one ,but it still may have to wait until the weather warms up some .
My granddaughter is trying to talk me into trading it in but right now I have to much invested to send it down the road unless I find a spectacular deal on a newer one.

 

[steve66]

The bad part was it happened on the interstate coming back from vacation and cost me $225 to get it towed home.