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I took the truck for a very short drive this evening.
At first start... it seemed to have that miss for about 4 revolutions and then smoothed out.
Drove it about a mile, let it run for about 5 minutes but didn't get up to Full operating temperature.
Runs Good Again (so far anyway).
Out of the 3 parts that I changed, Spark Plug, Coil & Fuel Injector... I am guessing the Fuel Injector may have been clogged/dirty and the cause of the miss/rough running.
Now I need to set some time aside and change the other 7 spark plugs just so I now they are in good condition. Ill do one bank at a time and put in a little bit of MMO , the night before, into each hole where the spark plug sits in the head to let it loosen up grime and carbon and have an easy removal as I had this morning.
Well... Still got the problem. Drove for a couple miles, ran perfect. Then stopped at a intersection light and I started to feel it idle oddly, went to give it gas and its back to running rough again.
Things I discovered today on the truck since the short drive this morning...
The fuel rail relief valve (#1 bank fuel rail) was slightly seeping onto the #3 Coil/Spark Plug area, it must not have re-sealed itself after I relieved the fuel pressure yesterday before I changed out #1 fuel injector. I pushed that little valve piece down a couple times while engine was off and restarted the engine, that relief valve stopped seeping fuel.
Then I went ahead and pulled the air intake off and looked inside the throttle body... Very Black, so I cleaned that out. Reinstalled intake, took it for a drive, smoked a little while then quit smoking, seemed to idle smooth for the next half hour but, when giving it gas it would miss/run rough. Though its seems like a Different Running Rough than before I cleaned the throttle body. (see attached Dirty Throttle Body 1 Dirty Throttle Body 2 Clean 1 Clean 2
)
I am NOT going to quit till I fix this engine running problem!!
Question: Would fuel on the #3 Coil/Spark Plug from the seeping relief valve, cause a miss in #3 cylinder?
If so... Will the fuel dry out enough down in there to start firing again?
No "Check Engine Light" as of yet.
I wish I had one of those Professional Engine Scanners right now!!! (tell me where the issue is so I can fix it already!!) LOL
Last edited by riderboy1961; Aug 4, 2020 at 03:05 AM.
Had a hard one to find on a ruff engine once and it was not fun finding. Look on the left side of the intake facing engine where a PVC/water line routs through (on my 1999) and remove the vac line at the throttle body. A piece of carbon or gunk had blocked the vent vac there going into the throttle body. Had to take a sprinkler head cleaner almost needle-like to clear that vent out. If you remove the throttle body off of the engine you can see it looking where it comes through under the throttle body. Looking at your throttle body kind of looked like mine did and reminded me of the above. Not saying that is your problem, but it was mine.
Had a hard one to find on a ruff engine once and it was not fun finding. Look on the left side of the intake facing engine where a PVC/water line routs through (on my 1999) and remove the vac line at the throttle body. A piece of carbon or gunk had blocked the vent vac there going into the throttle body. Had to take a sprinkler head cleaner almost needle-like to clear that vent out. If you remove the throttle body off of the engine you can see it looking where it comes through under the throttle body. Looking at your throttle body kind of looked like mine did and reminded me of the above. Not saying that is your problem, but it was mine.
Do you know what this hose is called? It looks Very Old and would like to replace it. (the one I have my black gloved finger pointing at)
Had a hard one to find on a ruff engine once and it was not fun finding. Look on the left side of the intake facing engine where a PVC/water line routs through (on my 1999) and remove the vac line at the throttle body. A piece of carbon or gunk had blocked the vent vac there going into the throttle body. Had to take a sprinkler head cleaner almost needle-like to clear that vent out. If you remove the throttle body off of the engine you can see it looking where it comes through under the throttle body. Looking at your throttle body kind of looked like mine did and reminded me of the above. Not saying that is your problem, but it was mine.
Would you be able to attach a picture of the vent vacuum hose that had the blockage in it? I am not familiar with what each and every hose in the engine compartment Is and what each hose is called.
I worked on the truck all day today, this what I have done today:
1) I changed out the #1 cylinder fuel injector Connector - no change
2) I decided to change out #2 Coil, after I had it out I decided to go ahead and check the #2 Spark Plug - The spark plug was probably hand tight at best, there was no resistance when I started to remove it - I put in a new spark plug and coil on #2 cylinder.
3) since #2 spark plug was loose I decided to check #3 & #4
4) #3 spark plug was also loose, same as #2, I installed new coil and spark plug on #3 cylinder.
5) #4 spark plug was tight, had to use some muscly to get it started coming out. Installed new spark plug and coil on #4 cylinder.
Took for drive, similar rough running as before but the engine light came on finally. Checked the code and it is: P0305 Now- Strange!!
When this all began I had codes: P0301 & P0171
So... now I have a misfire in #5 cylinder
All spark plugs torqued to 28 ft lbs
Questions:
1) Would 1 or more loose spark plugs cause a misfire?
2) What would be an explanation to my trucks Current Condition, from when it first started? from codes: P0301 & P0171 to : P0305 ???
I changed the #5 & #6 Coils & Spark Plugs today. I need to find a video on how best to get the the #7 & #8 Coils & Spark Plugs before I try it.
The #5 spark plug was in firmly, took just a little bit of arm strong to get it loose and then it came right out.
The #6 spark plug was loose like the #2 & #3 spark plugs were.
Both Plugs torqued to 28 ft. lbs.
***Does Anyone have a good YouTube video that would give good instructions on removing #7 & #8 Coil and Spark Plugs on a 2001 f150 5.4l engine?
(I am waiting on a used: 1/4" drive 7mm flex socket that I purchased used off ebay, that should help getting to the last two coil securing screws. I also ordered 4 more Coilos from Rockauto last night. Once I finish all 8 Coils and spark plugs I will feel good knowing the spark plugs wont be Popping Out)
I r&r'd the #7 & #8 Spark Plug and Coils without removing the Fuel Rail. It wasnt too bad, It took a lot of patience, I would say the most difficult part was getting the Coil Hold Down Screws Re-Started Started for each Coil on installation.
I thought I possibly had a crack in the intake manifold (see first pic) until I looked at a picture of the exact same intake manifold online and saw the same gap/crack. I think my manifold is Good. There was no coolant anywhere that I could see.
picture of #7 fuel injector and #8 spark plug hole. See Gap in intake manifold just to the right of the #8 spark plug hole. Enlarge this picture and I can see the Same Gap in this brand new Dorman Intake Manifold.
Last edited by riderboy1961; Aug 15, 2020 at 11:35 AM.
