5.4 3V Misfire - Cracked COP
#1
09-17-2014, 06:58 PM
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5.4 3V Misfire - Cracked COP
Recently my 2004 F150 started missing now and again, then it started to miss a lot and was obviously throwing codes. In my case is was throwing P304 which is cylinder #4 not firing, but doing so intermittently under power or at low RPMs. I have a Garmin Eco installed and it allows code reading. This provided real time monitoring and clearing as desired.
At times the truck would run like crap but I noticed after running up the highway for a half hour, then parking it for a few hours and then running it again, it ran perfectly. Like it "dried out."
At first I was thinking it was the dreaded plug change.... but the symptoms made me think electrical and I wanted to see what was up first before flying off the handle and ordering everything needed for replacing plugs and COPs.
When I pulled the #4 COP, it looked as shown below. The photo doesn't show it well but the crack runs all the way to and through the "BB" underneath the label.
Obviously, a replacement was ordered, a 3E3L (Update/Correction: Actual Part Number was - 3L3Z-12029-BA) COP, and installed. A 5 minute fix........ and I'm good to go.
Sooo... if you are experiencing this issue, give your COP(s) a good look see.
Just my two cents worth.
Pete
At times the truck would run like crap but I noticed after running up the highway for a half hour, then parking it for a few hours and then running it again, it ran perfectly. Like it "dried out."
At first I was thinking it was the dreaded plug change.... but the symptoms made me think electrical and I wanted to see what was up first before flying off the handle and ordering everything needed for replacing plugs and COPs.
When I pulled the #4 COP, it looked as shown below. The photo doesn't show it well but the crack runs all the way to and through the "BB" underneath the label.
Obviously, a replacement was ordered, a 3E3L (Update/Correction: Actual Part Number was - 3L3Z-12029-BA) COP, and installed. A 5 minute fix........ and I'm good to go.
Sooo... if you are experiencing this issue, give your COP(s) a good look see.
Just my two cents worth.
Pete
Last edited by HurleyByrd; 09-22-2014 at 11:55 AM.
#4
09-21-2014, 03:00 PM
I noticed you replaced the coil with a different part number than the one that cracked. Is the 3E3L a updated version to the 3L3U?
Also, thanks for the heads up on inspection. I changed out 5 of mine yesterday and had none break. Ran out of time. I am also replacing the boots and cleaning the blade that the spring connects to on the coil. So far every blade was corroded with green corrosion. I still lack 3,4, and 8. I plan to get those when I have a day off s few days from now. It already runs better.
Edit: Finished all 8 and had 0 break. Now I just need to nail down a slight rough idle.
Also, thanks for the heads up on inspection. I changed out 5 of mine yesterday and had none break. Ran out of time. I am also replacing the boots and cleaning the blade that the spring connects to on the coil. So far every blade was corroded with green corrosion. I still lack 3,4, and 8. I plan to get those when I have a day off s few days from now. It already runs better.
Edit: Finished all 8 and had 0 break. Now I just need to nail down a slight rough idle.
Last edited by xrider; 09-23-2014 at 10:55 PM.
#5
09-22-2014, 11:52 AM
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Actually, I just looked up the part I ordered.... it is part number:
3L3Z12029BA
My original write up was done from memory.... sorry. I also noticed that COPs on cylinders 2,3,4 were the old number, as shown in photo, all the others are this new number. The old look REALLY old and I would bet they are original to the truck..... now 230,000 miles.
Since I originally wrote this up, I have driven the truck a fair amount. It runs great, lugs down real low without a miss, and the same when power is applied.
By the way, I bought the COP on eBay through a dealer, I believe their name is Geiser Ford, something like than for $44 delivered.It came in its original packaging, sealed, etc.... It was listed as DG-511. There were others listed as OEM for as little as $39.99 delivered, but not sealed packages and not from real dealers. I felt $4 was well worth the reputation.
Later
Pete
3L3Z12029BA
My original write up was done from memory.... sorry. I also noticed that COPs on cylinders 2,3,4 were the old number, as shown in photo, all the others are this new number. The old look REALLY old and I would bet they are original to the truck..... now 230,000 miles.
Since I originally wrote this up, I have driven the truck a fair amount. It runs great, lugs down real low without a miss, and the same when power is applied.
By the way, I bought the COP on eBay through a dealer, I believe their name is Geiser Ford, something like than for $44 delivered.It came in its original packaging, sealed, etc.... It was listed as DG-511. There were others listed as OEM for as little as $39.99 delivered, but not sealed packages and not from real dealers. I felt $4 was well worth the reputation.
Later
Pete