Sweaty COP boots

[ExplorerTom]

I made the mistake of washing my engine- engine degreaser, pressure washer, the whole bit. Then I got some rough running conditions and 3 codes (although I could only read one)- misfire on #5.

Here's where it gets interesting. Yesterday I pulled the COPs off the front 2 plugs. No noticeable moisture. I wiped the built up grime off the boots and reinstalled them just to see. Still ran rough.

Didn't drive it today.

Tonight I pulled off those same 2 COPs and noticed what looked like sweat near the top of the boot near the actual coil itself. This was not there yesterday- I wiped it clean. The truck sat outside all day with the hood closed. There is some rain in the area but CO is pretty cool and dry- cold drinks don't sweat like they do in the Midwest. the motor was warm when I pulled the COPs out originally- but then cooled down after the swap.

As I pulled off the other COPs I noticed more sweat in the same location. Could this little bit of moisture in this location cause the rough running I experienced? I've only seen it when there is a pool of water in the spark plug well.

 

[BAD RONALD]

Can't speak about moisture you found. Did you appropriately dielectric grease the boots when you reinstalled them?

http://www.expeditionforum.com/f42/rough-idle-p0301-after-washing-00-eb-5-4-a-26714/

 

[ExplorerTom]

I haven't reinstalledd them yet- one nice thing about having multiple vehicles.

I bought a new set from PepBoys. I figure the boots can easily be something other than Motorcraft.

While taking the old boots and springs off, I've noticed that a couple of the springs were wet with what appears to be oil. This plus the what's left of the more-than-likely factory applied dielectric grease is probably the cause of my misfire and rough running. Why oil in the boots after washing the engine without noticeable oil in the spark plug well is a little strange. Maybe the water just pushed it over the edge.

Either way it's a good thing to change out the boots. I'll apply new dielectric grease after I change the spark plugs tomorrow.

 

[upurz1]

I haven't reinstalledd them yet- one nice thing about having multiple vehicles.

I bought a new set from PepBoys. I figure the boots can easily be something other than Motorcraft.

While taking the old boots and springs off, I've noticed that a couple of the springs were wet with what appears to be oil. This plus the what's left of the more-than-likely factory applied dielectric grease is probably the cause of my misfire and rough running. Why oil in the boots after washing the engine without noticeable oil in the spark plug well is a little strange. Maybe the water just pushed it over the edge.

Either way it's a good thing to change out the boots. I'll apply new dielectric grease after I change the spark plugs tomorrow.

If you notice oil in the spark plug well, this is due to a Spark Plug "O" ring gasket gone bad inside your valve cover. it needs to be replace.

This could also be a reason why your building up moisture in there as well. Oil and Moisture from your valve cover could be escaping through your leaking gasket and filling up under the coil cover.

I would also make sure your lower intake is not leaking coolant, i have heard it also can drain into your spark plug well.

Check also above the Coil Cover to make sure any of the cooling hoses is not leaking as well.

I had a misfire on coil #4. open it up and notice lots of moisture build up. i had also oil in several spark plug wells due to gasket gone bad.

I also confirmed to make sure it was not coolant in there as well.

i had to replace the all the gasket on both sides of the engine since the other side was leaking oil as well. I would recommend buying a Valve Cover gasket kit. that includes the Valve Cover gasket, Spark Plug "O" rings and bolt grommets. for both sides it cost me around 60 dollars. Hardest part is getting to the valve cover to replace.

after replacing coil packs, plugs and valve cover gaskets. No Oil leak , No Misfire and No Moisture.