I have a 2002 f150 V6. The symptoms I've noticed are:
1. Rough idle and rough engine while going slow
2. Service engine light blinks after about 10 minutes of driving. (I've read this means it's missing withing the first 1000 revolutions, I think)
3. I hear a ticking on the drivers side of the engine. I was thinking this was an exhaust leak until, a few minutes ago, I grabbed the number 5(?) Plug wire and pushed it in. The ticking stopped. It resumes when I let it go. It seems to be seated all the way.
4. When I changed the plugs I noticed the number 4 was particularly black. Did not notice any other substance on it, was just very black compared to the other 5. This is not the plug I messed with that affected the ticking sound.

If any other symptoms are needed to help with a diagnosis please ask me and I'll let you know.
Thanks in advance!

 

Sounds like your engine is about to spit a spark plug. Common (by volume, but not percent) issue. How long ago did you change plugs?

EDIT: Disregard... just saw V6. Still sounds like a loose plug though.

 

I changed the plugs maybe 4 months ago. But I changed them in an effort to resolve the rough idle, rough running at slow speeds and engine light blinking. I haven't driven it but a couple of times after the change, I started driving my backup until I felt like dealing with this.

 

I know very little about the V6, but it sounds like maybe you have two issues. I would first verify that #5 plug wire is definitely seated on the plug properly as the electric arc may be the ticking you heard. If it's definitely good, remove plug #5 and look for damage or debris where the plug seats against the head to see if the tick is a compression leak past the plug.

The blacker #4 plug could be a number of things. Bad wire, bad plug, low/no compression, leaking valve guide seal, worn piston rings, etc. You need to get the codes pulled because as you stated, you definitely have a misfire. Further driving will likely kill a catalytic converter.

How many miles on the engine? Have the wires ever been changed?

 

It has 170k miles. I've owned it since 2009 and the wires have never been changed.
I've read on threads that people change the COPS, I have no clue what that stands for.
I plan on changing the wires this Friday or saturday. If I remember correctly I changed the distributer when I changed the plugs.

 

COPS - Coil On Plugs. You have wires on the V6. The later 4.6 and all 5.4's and 6.8's have a coil on top of every spark plug.

If you have 170K on the wires, I think they are due. I have never had a set last that long. Get the codes pulled otherwise we're just guessing.

 

Get a new set of MOTORCRAFT plugs and MOTORCRAFT wires. Aftermarket not recommended.

Motorcraft SP504 plugs, $3.15 each

Motorcraft WR6110 wires, $37.79 a set

Both at rockauto.com. When you change the wires, use dielectric grease in the boots at both ends, thoroughly clean the coil pack and inspect it for cracks and carbon tracks. If the coil pack is cracked, replace it.

 

Thanks
I'll get em pulled and post em