VCT Sensors

[CertusExpo]

I have a 2003 5.4 with a chronic misfire I can't get rid of.

I found out that the culprit could be the VCT Sensor but upon calling Ford, I'm advised that the VCT Sensors didn't hit the 5.4 until 2005.

I'm not sure if this is accurate though as I can lookup and find VCT sensors for a Ford>Expedition>5.4>EB

Can someone tell me if I do/don't have VCT sensors?

 

[Skauber]

Ford is correct, VCT wasn't introduced until the 5.4 in 2005. The older ones had traditional fixed cam timing.

Could you describe the misfire more in detail? Is it always? On a specific cylinder or random?

 

[docraymund]

Do a compression test on all cylinders to evaluate the misfire.

 

[CertusExpo]

Ford is correct, VCT wasn't introduced until the 5.4 in 2005. The older ones had traditional fixed cam timing.

Could you describe the misfire more in detail? Is it always? On a specific cylinder or random?

It stutters at idle. It misfires random cylinders or can also throw specific to 3, 5 or 7. The CEL will go from solid on to flashing.
Also, it will suddenly clear up, run strong for about 50 miles then start back up from a slight stutter at idle.

The current codes are:
P0300
P0305
P0307

 

[steelnewfie]

Run a tank of fuel system cleaner/seafoam.

 

[Transporter]

Have you changed both the COPs and Plugs on cylinders 5 and 7? Also those cylinders are on the same head on the Driver's side. When was the last time you changed your fuel filter? Have you checked the fuel rail on that side for a clog or foreign matter?

ITWM, I would change COPs/Plugs 5 and 7 first. Change the fuel filter if its hasn't been changed lately. If you still have the problem after that, check the fuel rail on the Drivers side. No issues found, its probably an injector or burnt exhaust valve.

No smoking when working in the engine bay no matter what one is working on!
If changing any plugs, put on your safety goggles and use compressed air to make sure the plug recess and head is water free (water does not compress and will break a rod if any runs into an open spark plug hole).

 

[CertusExpo]

I figured it out and you're not gonna believe it.

Back story:
A while back. The first thing that went bad was the EGR Solenoid. It burned up so I removed what needed removing to gain access to it and replaced.
Once done, I decided that the Triton 5.4L cover was only cosmetic and didn't actually need to be re-installed.

I found out the hard way that it does. Turns out that it is not merely cosmetic but also functional. It keeps water if any finds it's way under the hood from dripping down into the spark plug wells. All minus #5 which by looking at the picture is cut away to make room for the power steering reservoir. After another plug/COP replacement with LOTS of dielectric grease squeezed into each boot before install I have not had any further misfires. Granted that there has only been a few minor showers during the spring here in Texas and the real test will come this winter but so far so good.

Lesson learned. I will not leave this cover off again.

 

[CertusExpo]

Transporter...

Here is what I did to address any moisture in the spark plug well.

First, I cut strips of cloth and pushed them down into the wells to absorb as much moisture as possible.
Second, I MacGyver'd this contraption with scaled down sizes of tubing to connect to my shop vac to vacuum out the wells of any debris or moisture prior to plug removal.
Third, I bought a mini-endoscope camera to connect to my phone and look down inside the cylinder to ensure no debris or excess moisture remained.

 

[CertusExpo]

Run a tank of fuel system cleaner/seafoam.

After the COP/plug replacement, I ran a quart of straight acetone mixed in with the gas between two full tanks to clean/strip any carbon built up from the extended misfiring.

 

[Transporter]

Glad you are running better. Hope its all cleared up. Almost all my COP issues have been due to water (Hurricane Ivan in Mobile, 11 inches of rain in two hours in Blue Ridge, driving in non-stop rain from New Orleans to Key West for example) but a few were over 90K miles so they probably were dying.

How much was the App Scope? Is there an iPhone model (although I do have a 7 inch Android tablet)? I have almost bought that little scope at Harbor Freight a couple of times but the 2.25 inch screen has held me back.

 

[CertusExpo]

Believe it or not, I picked up the scope for $9 straight from China. It requires that the device be of a newer type that supports OTG.

 

[CertusExpo]

Also, after I did the COP/Plug swap out I decided I wanted to monitor my Expo's vitals a bit more so I bought a FireTab to use as a dedicated device to run Torque on.

 

[Transporter]

Did a Google on the Torque App, not much available info. I have an Amazon Fire, so besides that I would need to DL the App and what else is needed? I assume one needs a hardware device to plug into the OBD Port.

I have an OBD Computer but its interface is OBD to DB25.

BTW, I am updating to LEDs where I can. I see your did the fog/driving lights, what did you buy? Do you have a parts list for the lights you replaced with LEDs?

 

[CertusExpo]

The BlueTooth OBDII dongle and you're golden. I don't have a parts list for the LEDs but you can buy a 'kit' on eBay/Amazon as long as you want white.

 

[CertusExpo]

I forgot to mention that I also ordered a sheet of black silicone and made a cover for the #5 spark plug so that water cannot drip onto it any longer.

 

[Transporter]

That could turn out to be a great idea! I keep a log in my iPhone of maintenance on the Expedition and guess which COP has been changed the most? You guessed it, #5 followed in second place by #7. In third place is #2 and unfortunately #'s 4 and 8 are tied for fourth rounding out the top 4 Man I hate those two firewall plugs/COPs especially if I can't take the time to allow the engine to go cold.

I keep my plug wench and all the sockets needed to change the Plugs/COPs in a $7 Harbor Freight tool box along with 4 plugs, 4 COPs, dielectric silicone, and anti-seize with me at all times while driving the Expy. I got caught on top of a mountain in NC during a Hurricane and when it cleared up enough to drive out of the forest, I found out I had two bad COPs and had to limp 50 miles to get to the first gas station, not fun. Damn weather forcasters, the only job you can be wrong most of the time and keep your job. The Hurricane was charted to keep going north before even thinking about making land fall, but after we committed and were in the mountains it speeds up and came straight inland.

 

[CertusExpo]

Here's another tip that most people don't know.

The V-10 Excursion engine uses the same part number COP so I order a kit for a V-10 for a a few dollars more than a V-8 kit and have two spares right off the top.

 

[Transporter]

I buy two boxes at a time for a total of 16, no reason not to get 20 at a time

I'm driving this 03 EB until either I or the world ends!

 

[CertusExpo]

I hear ya. Love my Expo but that misfire had me so frustrated. This is how I installed the silicone 'blanket' over #5.