While I was driving home from work a week ago, I started to feel a shudder that seemed like a cylinder misfire. There was intense rain and I was driving 65 mph on the interstate home. My SES light started blinking at me w/ a bell tone present also and then went away after 30 seconds. I nursed the truck home and let it sit over night.

Next day I could feel the shudder even while it sat in the garage and let it idle. It was worse while driving 40 - 50 mph. I went to autozone during lunch and had the codes read. P0302 - cylinder #2 misfire popped up. I looked up the shudder issue on this site at work and decided i'd have all my plugs and the #2 COP changed. When I went to start my truck after work the shudder was gone. I now have been driving the truck for 5 days (200 miles) without a shudder or any hesitation. Seems to be driving smooth again.

2001 5.4L V8 Screwcab 4x4 w/ 86K

I just had the fuel filter and oil changed 700 miles ago... could it have something to do with that? maybe bad gas? i use shell 87 octane (indianapolis).

I was thinking water got into the plugs or COP somehow but i'm thinking that would have shorted either out and would continue to shudder.

I am a firm believer in 'if it aint broke don't fix it.' So any advice is welcomed.

Anyone have any idea what the deal is?

Thanks in advance for responces,
J

 

It will be back soon

How many miles on her? whens the last time the plugs wher changed .

Just get a set of COP's , you headin that way anyway.. $96 for all 8 on ebay.

 

X2, jbrew's advice got me fixed up, but as mentioned by him and others, get all the COP's and change the plugs if original. Putting dielectric grease in the boot prevents plenty down the road.

Hey jbrew, looks like lots of people in America got the same rain I did, or those Tornadoe T-storm the other day! Gotta admit driving through those huge puddles because we can makes all the yuppie's in Yaris' look like dweebs, even if it cost me a COP job. Hell, it was coming one day anyways.

 

86,000 miles plugs changed at 66,000 about a year and a half ago.

Any thought about the fuel filter change jbrew? I was kinda hoping some dirt or debris got in there somehow and maybe that caused the misfire.

I have a hard time believing it was the sudden down pour... in prep for the plug and cop change i have pressure washed my engine throughly with engine cleaner and water two seperate occassions at the local car wash. Truck ran fine after the engine washes.

 

Mine has had alot of water too (from washing, power washing, puddles etc), but it just had enough I guess. This is with 189000 km's on the clock, so ????? The fuel filter I would think has gradual poor performance but changing it, it should be fine. No gas leaking? equals filter on right and move along. It just sounds like my problem of last week, all looked fine except #3 had rust dust kinda all up the outside of the boot so I figure (hit the puddle on the passenger side, #3 is on the same side.....). After a COP change of all 8 plus a dielectric grease treatment, I'm off to the rat races again.

 

How much did this cost you... not sure what the conversion is... haven't checked the sign in detriot on my way into windsor. can you give the best dollar amount.

Reason I ask is b/c i went to autozone to get my plugs and i asked the salesman the price on there coil packs. $50 per coil pack... not sure if i want to spend the $400 + the 6.5% sales tax on coil packs and have my mechanic spend 4 hours on changing plugs and COP's... im not sure if i want to spend the $700 in fee's. i'm thinkin just replace the COP on the cylinder that misfired.

 

Global Auto on Ebay has 8 cops for 96 bucks.

 

Someone gave me mine free, you believe that! Best bet is ebay though and they are Motorcraft coils too. Right now for curiosity, the US dollar is trading about like this $1.07 CDN= $1 USD, give or take but this is about the average.

 

In a word ->> don't.

Good thing yer pullin' plugs & COPS.

 

So its a bad idea to keep the engine block clean. Will I be replacing plugs and COP's everytime I wash the dirt off?

 

No. I didn't say that. You can, and should, keep it clean. Just NOT with a pressure washer.

Don't be testy and please can the sarcasm. It's not appreciated. - we are trying to help, ok?

FWIW - there are tons of threads that discuss proper engine washing techniques that minimize the risk of electrical problems - you just need to go Search for them. Again - just trying to help.

 

Don't get it dirty - Just wrap em is vis-queen and jack them up so they cant go no where- that will keep them clean..

 

LMAO!

 

Hey , I'm going to break down and buy my first DPFE tomorrow - I keep not fixing mine

 

Hell - I can send ya my collection of freshly non-fixed ones if ya want.