Hi All,

Newb here,tonight I was pulling a trailer up a hill in my '04 5.4 Flareside and I heard a loud pop, at first I thought it was something to do with the 4x4 system due to the fact I had recently engaged 4wheel High. I didn't go much further, stopped and shut off the truck and loaded the trailer. After a short time, I hopped back into the truck and attempted to start it, (this is where it gets iffy) it turned over fine but did not want to start. I tried again and it fired right up, I did notice my C.E.L on and thought it was funny. Drove a mile up the road to my home and shut off the truck. After pondering the situation I came to the conclusion that I just spit a COP. Without reading the code I know there's not much I can do to resolve the situation.

This may be a stupid question, but here it is, if it is a blown COP/misfiring cylinder and you were in my situation would any of you be willing to take a chance on a 500 mile round trip this weekend? I think I already know most of your replies, but please tell me I'm wrong. I need to keep the woman happy, but like many of you my truck's whats important and don't want to risk damaging more! Thanks in advance.

 

You are spinning your wheels until you read the codes. Other than that, you certainly could do a visual inspection.

I would absolutely not take a chance and take it on a trip until you know for a fact what it is. Take her car this weekend.

 

Surprisingly, all seemed well when I visually checked the engine/ COPs, like you said nothing is certain until I get the code read. But, one more question though, if I were to drive it (under load mind you) what are the risks I would be taking? I'm thinking poor fuel economy, maybe low fuel pressure, but what would be the detrimental issues? (if it is a misfiring cylinder)

 

i only takes 10 mins to read the code, 5 mins to go to the dealer and get a cop, and 3 mins to swap out a cop.

if u still have problems it could be the plug in the misfiring cylinder.

if it throws you 2 misfire cylinders, change the first one in the firing order as the first one usually makes the one after it stumble and look bad too.

detrimental issues? hydrolock maybe. you will b dumping fuel into the cylinder with no spark. and then sending all this unburnt fuel down the exhaust system.

 

Mileage on truck?

Last time plugs were changed?

Could be a cat starting to plug due to missfires....

Last time the maf cleaned, throttle body and fuel filter changed?????

 

You don't even have to go to the dealer to get a COP - parts stores have them.

Misfires can overheat and destroy cats.

If you have more than 60k on the spark plugs they should be replaced.

 

I wouldn't even consider a trip with a constant miss going on. If you NEEDED to go a SHORT distance and knew which cylinder was mis-firing, at least un-plug the injector for that cyl. so that fuel wouldn't be getting in.