While using slight acceleration around 50mph the tranny will "slam" in and out of gear or OD and 3rd I am not sure which. If I hold it in that condition it does it repeatedly. If I turn the OD off the problem goes away. I checked the fluid and it shows over full. I have not added any fluid, but I can't be sure it wasn't done during an oil change. Thanks

 

Suck fluid out till it's no longer overfull.

Are you sure it's not just misfiring? When the plugs and coils get weak, that's exactly when you will start getting the misfiring.

 

I checked for error codes and there are none. Would a misfire be, wham, wham, wham?

 

I searched around and I guess it does sound like a possibility. They are original plugs. 45-55 light acceleration up a slight hill. I saw "pothole" used to describe the misfire problem. Wham wham wham could be three potholes in a row. I wonder why the tranny is overfull. Could the last tranny flush have caused that?

 

Original plugs, how many miles?

How are you checking the fluid level? You need to check it with it fully warmed up, engine running, in Park, on level ground.

 

150K. Yes to the fluid check.

 

Just called the dealer and he said that this model is not known for breaking plugs but he has seen them eject plugs. Can anyone confirm this, 02 5.4L? They want $425 to replace the plugs, and I would like to do it myself if I don't have to stand on my head to get it done.

 

150k???? The maintenance schedule says every 100k, and they don't always last that long!

$425 is ridiculous. They are reasonably straightforward - unbolt the COP's and remove them, then remove the plugs. Use only OEM Motorcraft plugs, do NOT use antiseize, and torque them to 28 ft/lb (this helps prevent ejection!). Apply some dielectric grease to the insides of the COP boots and reinstall. If you still have a miss, one or more of the COP's need to be replaced. You can buy a full set on Ebay for around 80 bucks.

The back plugs can be a bit of a pain to get at.

 

I did the job myself Saturday. Everything seemed to be find, but today on the way home it seemed to be acting up again. I noticed one coil that looked as though the terminal was corroded. I cleaned it up a bit and put it in front for easy replacement. I guess that is where I will start.

I ended up pulling the fuel rail to make the job easier. There is a silver barrel shaped piece on the fuel rail right above the screw for one the the coils. I didn't think I would be able to get that one out without pulling the rail. It seemed really easy to pull and replace the fuel rail. I am wondering what reason there is to fight around it when it is so easy to remove it. What is the downside or possible downside to removing the fuel rail?

Any suggestions on which brand of coil is the best buy?

 

For what they cost, buy a full set on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/IGNITION-COIL-FO...item2311137c0c

 

OK. Strange on the ebay site though. That page shows as not compatible with my 02 F150, but the same coil sold as a single is compatible.

 

All 02 F-150 V-8's use a DG508.

 

I know a lot of people rave about the Global coils. I recently bought some and got a bad batch of them I guess. All 8 were crap and they suck to deal with as far as customer service.

You certainly want to invest in new boots at minimum. They are like $5 a piece. Kind of like changing spark plug wires. At 150k you certainly need to do that. Otherwise I just bought OEMs at Rock Auto for like $350, which is steep but saved me the aggravation of the Global Coils which was $85 down the drain.

 

Since I replaced the plugs and boots it seems to run ok where it used to have problems. I now notice it acts up at idle. I think the pcv might be acting up, I don't know if that could cause missing at idle.