RESOLVED! - 2010 Expy - Engine missing on hills

[WalleyeGuy]

So glad I found this forum for my new Expy. Lots of great info!

122k and I didn't notice this issue during test drive as I don't think I went up any hills. With and without pulling my boat the thing jumps and pulls hard up hills and looks like it could be coil problem.

I took it back to dealer to take a look and they replaced the coil and an oxygen sensor. No check engine codes now but has the same exact issue.

Is it best to find a mechanic to replace spark plugs and see if they can find the bad coil? I just want this to be fixed and do not want to miss anything I should just have them replace now to have it run well for me.

Thanks

 

[bobmbx]

So glad I found this forum for my new Expy. Lots of great info!

122k and I didn't notice this issue during test drive as I don't think I went up any hills. With and without pulling my boat the thing jumps and pulls hard up hills and looks like it could be coil problem.

I took it back to dealer to take a look and they replaced the coil and an oxygen sensor. No check engine codes now but has the same exact issue.

Is it best to find a mechanic to replace spark plugs and see if they can find the bad coil? I just want this to be fixed and do not want to miss anything I should just have them replace now to have it run well for me.

Thanks

Can you post any codes the dealer found? You have COP (Coil Over Plug), so replacing "the coil" doesn't tell us much. I'm assuming you have the V8, so you have 8 coils.

This is an old school diagnostic when working with misfires: Pull the plug wires, one at a time, and drive around a bit. When you have a plug wire removed, and the engine performance doesnt' change from the symptom you first noticed, thats the cylinder thats needs some attention. It could be an injector, the plug, or the coil. Lets first find out which cylinder it is.

 

[docraymund]

You pull the fuel injector connector one by one and note any change in engine speed. The one which does not produce a change is the dead cylinder.

 

[bobmbx]

You pull the fuel injector connector one by one and note any change in engine speed. The one which does not produce a change is the dead cylinder.

^ New school

 

[Flexpedition]

None of the above advice applies as your issue only occurs while under load. Atleast thats what I read. I'd never remove spark from a cylinder and then drive around a bit, washing cylinder walls and filling catalytic converters with unspent fuel isn't trouble-shooting, its trouble-creating.

Return to dealership and accompany the mechanic on a test drive up a hill with his data logger plugged in. Ford recommends all 8 plugs to be changed at 100K mile intervals. Has this been done? If no or unknown, I'd start there.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

So glad I found this forum for my new Expy. Lots of great info!

122k and I didn't notice this issue during test drive as I don't think I went up any hills. With and without pulling my boat the thing jumps and pulls hard up hills and looks like it could be coil problem.

I took it back to dealer to take a look and they replaced the coil and an oxygen sensor. No check engine codes now but has the same exact issue.

Is it best to find a mechanic to replace spark plugs and see if they can find the bad coil? I just want this to be fixed and do not want to miss anything I should just have them replace now to have it run well for me.

Thanks

Welcome to the forum.

These issues can be tricky to diagnose. Do you know if the spark plugs have been changed? The owner's manual recommends changing at 100,000 miles. If they haven't they should be replaced.

If the plugs have been changed, the coils could be okay but if they reused the connector that connects the coil to the plug that could be a problem. Sometimes the connector becomes galled to the plug because of corrosion, when they reuse it, it creates high resistance which could eventually cause the cop (coil) to fail. I would examine the connectors before I do anything too crazy to it. If the connectors look good, then proceed to the next steps.

 

[1955moose]

Andy's got the best diagnosis of the group. If you bought it with a written warranty of any sort, have that shop diagnose and fix it. If their is no warranty, speak nicely, and hopefully they take care of your issue.


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[bobmbx]

Andy's got the best diagnosis of the group. If you bought it with a written warranty of any sort, have that shop diagnose and fix it. If their is no warranty, speak nicely, and hopefully they take care of your issue.


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For suggesting the OP utilize warranty and professional technicians, I award you 10 demerits.

 

[WalleyeGuy]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Yes, this is the V8. Truck was purchased As Is but it is a reputable dealer, from what I understand. I will contact them to get the exact code.

I will also change all spark plugs and give it a test drive first, while checking the plugs to the coils.

 

[1955moose]

Even though their is no warranty expressed or implied, check with your local consumer affairs. Their may be laws that are different in your state. In almost all states vehicles are sold buyer beware as is. Let's hope it's just tune up related. Now you know that little voice in your head that sounds like your dads, saying son, always get a used car checked out before you buy it! We all seem to buy our way, without a checkout anyway.


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[Bedrck47]

I'm assuming you have the V8, so you have 8 coils..

First I would like to say that the only engine that was in a 2010 expy has 8 cylinders Hence a V8 Therefore you get 10 demerits. as there wasn't anything to assume about.

As suggested replace all of the plugs and the boots. The boots sit inside of the sparkplug well and are subjected to some high temps and should be replaced any time a new plug is replaced also coat the inside of the boot with some dielectric grease.

 

[Bedrck47]

When you change the plugs make sure you use Motorcraft plugs

 

[WalleyeGuy]

Boots/Motorcraft Plugs will be changed real quick like. Do you think that job is as easy as it was for my honda accords/toyota corolla's in the past was or should I find a mechanic that may need to further troubleshoot if this doesn't resolve anyway?

 

[Bedrck47]

The worst part of changing the plugs will be the ones in the back of the engine Just take your time and have some sockets extensions and swivels available Also look on You=tube for some pointers on the procedure

And although I haven't done a Honda or Toyota the EXPY is a PITA to do again take your time on the back plugs The first time is always the worst

 

[Bedrck47]

One last thing. Make sure you torque the plugs to specs

 

[1955moose]

You didn't mention a six pack of your favorite suds, on ice, your gonna need em for those rears!


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[WalleyeGuy]

Even though their is no warranty expressed or implied, check with your local consumer affairs. Their may be laws that are different in your state. In almost all states vehicles are sold buyer beware as is. Let's hope it's just tune up related. Now you know that little voice in your head that sounds like your dads, saying son, always get a used car checked out before you buy it! We all seem to buy our way, without a checkout anyway.


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Yes Dad, I learned my lesson. I totally took this thing for quite a test drive and am mad for not noticing this issue. That aside, I am still happy with the purchase as I searched a lot for a well priced EL Limited 4x4 without a ton of miles without having to fly to texas to pick it up and drive back!

 

[WalleyeGuy]

You didn't mention a six pack of your favorite suds, on ice, your gonna need em for those rears!


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Luckily my father in law is a great mechanic and will work for good beer, but it might take a 12 pack between us seeing those back plugs!

 

[DarkhorseEB]

Not sure this will help you but on my 99 I had what seemed like a bad misfire under moderate load but if i floored it, it would run smoother. I repkaced plugs with motorcraft and bought a set of accel super coils due to their potentially better manufacturing and lifetime warranty. It ran better but still had the same problem. Turned out to be the rear end clutches slipping which really threw me off since on my Tbird, I could definitely tell when the rear end was messing up but the Expy bucked and made sounds like backfiring thru the exhaust and ect. As soon as I poured a tube of friction modifier in the rear end, the jerking stopped and has been smooth ever since. I have changed all the gearboxes since.

 

[1955moose]

If your not throwing codes, tune it first. Always start with the cheapest or free things . Like spraying maf sensor real well, new plugs. Fuel and air filter never hurts. Don't change coils, change the boots. All those things should be around $100.00. Is the dealer going to help at all? Daddy Moose!


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