Hi ya'll,

I need some advice/help. I have a 97 4.6 that has developed a strange problem. I developed a misfire in cylinder 6. I have found moisture in the #6 plugwell (drivers side, second in). So I dried it out, cleaned the plugwell and all was well. But it has happened again in less than a month. I haven't washed the engine compartment or been through any huge puddles at high speed.....so.....where is the moisture coming from?

There is something that sounds like it's venting above that part of the engine but there is no sign of leakage, just a hissing when I shut the engine off.

Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
mhs

 

im having the same problem with #7. im looking forward to the responce. good luck

 

could it be antifreeze coming from somewhere?? or is it definitely water?

 

I couldn't determine that. There wasn't a pool of it, just enough that the boot was moist around the plug. Aside from the vacuum lines up by the throttle body there really isn't much above the plug, certainly no coolant lines.

 

A neighbor told me this weekend that he had his Expy in three times to have the coil on one plug replaced. Condensation was dripping from the air conditioning system to one rear plug. I don't knoe which engine he had but it was a 99 or 2000 Expy.

 

My 98 had this problem first time I replaced spark plugs and wires.. Then a month later it happened again. Checked wires all good. Then someone I know/very experienced for mechanic told me to tighten the clamp above #6 -its a coolant rail and a small one at that. I think its some sort of return rail or something not sure... havnt traced it down. Anyways I tighted that baby down... No problems since.

 

have also heard this same thing happens I would try this first

 

mine was leaking bad enough and I was lazy to fix it my truck was jerking all over and I could smell it burning on my exhaust manifold lol.

 

Well I have been having the same problem for about a year now. It started as moister in the #4. I heard of several people having this same problem. Ford did a recall and said to tighten a heater hose. I got on this web site and they state to change all clamps to a screw type the OEM are not good enough. I did this as well. The engine did well until around 30,000 - and it would start misfiring again. I have been through around 4 sets of spark plugs and 4 sets of wires . This last week I pulled #7 and found 3 in of radiator fluid. The only thing I can think of is head gasket. The way I tested (to see if this a head gasket ) is I drained the oil and froze it and attempted to find the oil from the water. I found water!! I have an appointment for Wed for a new set of head gaskets. only 1300.00 to replace. lol. I would do it myself but my life is my truck and have to go to work. can't spend the time to do it. I'm using the motorcycle and it is cold!!!!!

 

how much would it be to do the work your self?
incase i am having the same problem...

 

I stopped at the dealer yesterday to run this by them. The only thing they suggested was that the driver's side of the engine is much more open to the elements than the passenger side and #6 is the most exposed. The dealer said that with all the rain we've been getting (almost 30 days straight) they've seen lots of similar complaints. From what I can see there aren't any coolant or air conditioning lines on that side of the engine (driver's side).

Soooo.....I installed a new set of plug wires, ones with better seals around the boots and I'll see what happens.

The dealer also installed the fix for the cruise control.....woooohoooo!!

 

Hi folks, New guy

I was searching for info about an issue with my work truck, and this seems like the most relevant thread, Its a 2000 F-150 XL 4x4 with a 5.4L. I am considering buying it from my employer if this problem can easily and inexpensively be fixed by a DIY-er.
In December the Check Engine Light (CEL) came on and the engine was running rough (like a misfire or just weak fire). So #6 plug and coil were replaced. There was also water in the front transfer case.
Last week CEL and rough engine again. The mechanic told me it was error PO305 and the #5 cylinder had water in it, so they dried the plug and put it back.
I asked if this was symptomatic of a cracked block or leaky gasket. He said there was no sign of coolant, and that it was "just a poor design by Ford and a common problem for the 5.4L." Is this true.

I had a couple problems with this explanation
1.)It was not raining when the problem started.

2.) If water leaked IN past the plug, why didn't it burn off and out when I had to continue 70 miles more on the highway?

3.) Our '98 F-250 5.4L with 180K has never had this problem, and it frequently cleans out some mudholes...

 

I never had any problems until I changed spark plug wires. The problem wires were not the OEM wires with the triple seals on the boot. I haven't had any more problems since I changed them out.

Just my 2 cents,
mhs