Cylinder #2 misfire 4.2 1998
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Cylinder #2 misfire 4.2 1998
The best thing I can recommend is stick with OEM parts. These computerized engines seem to have a hard time dealing with non-Motorcraft components. Read my story below, I hope it helps someone. I drive a 1998 F-150 4.2 5-speed 2WD with 76000 miles on it.
Hi, I had the same problem as everyone it seems, cold weather, blinking / flashing CEL, rough running, no power, an obvious engine miss. Autozone had PO302 cylinder #2 misfire. By reading all these posts, it could have been plugs, wires, coil assembly, a fuel injector, MAF mass airflow sensor, 02 sensor (one of four), upper intake, lower intake, or water, ice, possibly antifreeze in the fuel. My plugs and wires were only about 18 months old, so at first I did not figure this to be the issue.
My engine was only misfiring intermittently, mostly when cold. The first night it happened, by the time I got home my truck was running fine. Same thing the day I took it in, misfiring at startup, drove like a champ all the way to the shop. I would have dealt with it, were it not for the backfiring and possible damage to the catalytic converter. We don't have emissions testing in Michigan.
My mechanic told me he does not see a lot of 4.2 engines with problems, and the ones he does work on have some non-spec equipment, plugs, wires, exhaust, ignition. The 4.2 has a pretty hot ignition, and needs the double platinum plugs and comparable wires. At the time, I also had the fuel filter replaced, and the injectors serviced, in a cold weather state it made sense.
I started with dri-gas, no luck. Checked all the connections on the plugs and coil, no change. Swapped out the #2 cylinder wire, same result. I broke down and took it in, and discovered that when my cousin tuned up my truck, he put Champion plugs and wires on the motor. High end stuff, but with today's vehicles it was only a matter of time before there would be trouble. My mechanic (NOT a Ford dealer, by the way) replaced the plugs, wires, and PCV valve with OEM Motorcraft parts, and my engine was cured. This would have been the last thing I would have done on my own, since those parts were relatively new. Coil, injectors, and sensors all fine. As luck would have it, the main reason I took it in to a shop is that we have had single digit temperatures all week. Actually saved me money, a new coil at NAPA is $111.
I don't think my mechanic is BS'ing me. He said an inept or crooked mechanic could easily have used $3000 worth of parts chasing down a cylinder miss. I believe him, mainly because that same cousin that tuned my truck "as a favor" told me it was my coil for sure. He had just spent $2300 in parts at his Chrysler DEALER for his 2001 Wrangler figuring out a cylinder misfire. He had the MAF sensor, 02 sensors, injectors, and plugs and wires (twice) replaced. Intakes serviced, fuel filter, you name it. Turns out it was the coil. The whole reason I am now a believer in OEM equipment is that he is always putting some high end high cost performance part on his Jeep. Since he bought it he has put all high performance parts, ignition, plugs, wires, exhaust, K&N, you name it. And his check engine light has come back on, even though it seems to run fine. $2300 to figure out a $60 coil.
Hi, I had the same problem as everyone it seems, cold weather, blinking / flashing CEL, rough running, no power, an obvious engine miss. Autozone had PO302 cylinder #2 misfire. By reading all these posts, it could have been plugs, wires, coil assembly, a fuel injector, MAF mass airflow sensor, 02 sensor (one of four), upper intake, lower intake, or water, ice, possibly antifreeze in the fuel. My plugs and wires were only about 18 months old, so at first I did not figure this to be the issue.
My engine was only misfiring intermittently, mostly when cold. The first night it happened, by the time I got home my truck was running fine. Same thing the day I took it in, misfiring at startup, drove like a champ all the way to the shop. I would have dealt with it, were it not for the backfiring and possible damage to the catalytic converter. We don't have emissions testing in Michigan.
My mechanic told me he does not see a lot of 4.2 engines with problems, and the ones he does work on have some non-spec equipment, plugs, wires, exhaust, ignition. The 4.2 has a pretty hot ignition, and needs the double platinum plugs and comparable wires. At the time, I also had the fuel filter replaced, and the injectors serviced, in a cold weather state it made sense.
I started with dri-gas, no luck. Checked all the connections on the plugs and coil, no change. Swapped out the #2 cylinder wire, same result. I broke down and took it in, and discovered that when my cousin tuned up my truck, he put Champion plugs and wires on the motor. High end stuff, but with today's vehicles it was only a matter of time before there would be trouble. My mechanic (NOT a Ford dealer, by the way) replaced the plugs, wires, and PCV valve with OEM Motorcraft parts, and my engine was cured. This would have been the last thing I would have done on my own, since those parts were relatively new. Coil, injectors, and sensors all fine. As luck would have it, the main reason I took it in to a shop is that we have had single digit temperatures all week. Actually saved me money, a new coil at NAPA is $111.
I don't think my mechanic is BS'ing me. He said an inept or crooked mechanic could easily have used $3000 worth of parts chasing down a cylinder miss. I believe him, mainly because that same cousin that tuned my truck "as a favor" told me it was my coil for sure. He had just spent $2300 in parts at his Chrysler DEALER for his 2001 Wrangler figuring out a cylinder misfire. He had the MAF sensor, 02 sensors, injectors, and plugs and wires (twice) replaced. Intakes serviced, fuel filter, you name it. Turns out it was the coil. The whole reason I am now a believer in OEM equipment is that he is always putting some high end high cost performance part on his Jeep. Since he bought it he has put all high performance parts, ignition, plugs, wires, exhaust, K&N, you name it. And his check engine light has come back on, even though it seems to run fine. $2300 to figure out a $60 coil.
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,605
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From: USA
I learned the hard way.When I first got my truck (2001) I changed the plugs using Autolites.Big mistake! My engine sneezed,wheezed,coughed,lurched.....I then went back with factory Motorcraft plugs and never had a problem since! 