A couple of replies have asked as to why purchase or replace your COPs.
Blue2004x4 backs me up and he has a bit of knowledge here. Go to autozone or Orielly and ONE COP will run you $50.
Got to ford and pay $75 plus (these are texas prices)
Got to ebay and get a set for $100.
When one goes, the motor runs like crap. It stutters and does all the goofy $h1t others have posted. My guess is most people don't have a code reader and when a COP goes the last thing you want to do is drive the truck around all stupid. All COPs (parts) for that matter are designed with a service and shelf life in mind. If you have a mechanic buddy who will read the codes for free and point you to the right cylinder or cyliders, great, buy the COPs as you need them. But at $100 a set, you would be foolish not to have a set on hand. After all we are talking about the IGNITION system here. I Have ad two COPs replaced at 87,000 miles. I have 160,000 miles and I am starting to get wierd accerleration/ ignition problems, most likely because of the COPs.
BIFF150, its all about being prepared. Congratualtions on the 225k! That's really great and a good example of ford tough. I still think its amazing how many people are emptionally driven to purchase the next "newest" vehicle. They still burn gas man, that's my take on it. Take care of what you got and quit giving all your money to the damn banks.

 

I 'm guessing you keep an extra starter on hand too?

After all, COPs don't do crap unless you can start her up.

Extra water pump? Alternator? Battery?

Some of this advice just doesn't make good sense, says Dave Ramsey.

 

Well, That's a fair guess , but inaccurate. The majority of the time your plagued with a low grade misfire. Your misfire monitor doesn't pick it up, then what do you do? You can't get it scanned because there's no codes to scan. It's possible to test each one yourself , but you would need the proper tools, not many have that crap on hand or the know-how and don't wanna know-how - just fix the b^tch !!
You could sputter up to the dealership, have it mode six-ed and view cylinder history on channel 3 - $$$ You have to pay a price, allot more than cable .
You just about need Primary failure to produce the blinking misfire light. At times, when it's acting up and the misfire monitor is making rounds, you can put the coals to her and you might get lucky and see that light winking at you
That blinker just set code - get it read free at Auto Zone and replace it - done..
If there old , I tell people just to replace them all because "shelf life" - That doesn't apply . You could buy a new coil - install it and it might run worse then it did before hand. Theres a pretty good chance of that happening. Ford or Auto Zone don't warranty Coils to my knowledge - Those cheap ones have a one year warranty .
You can't go wrong any way you look at it with those $96 sets on eBay - there just as reliable as any other - actually they have a better record than the High Dollar COP's..

Use your own due -diligence , - Because, it's not my fault.

 

U is a funny man.

Just COPs home slice.
My mechanic hasn't led me wrong yet and always shoots me fair. I am one of the lucky ones. His recommendation is if you can get a set of COPs off a motor or get them cheap, get them because you will need them.
It is as it is.

 

[QUOTE=jward]I 'm guessing you keep an extra starter on hand too?

After all, COPs don't do crap unless you can start her up.

Extra water pump? Alternator? Battery?

Some of this advice just doesn't make good sense, says Dave Ramsey.



[/QUOT

Actually, I have alot of extra stuff, like thermostats (came in handy twice now), extra fuel injectors, another COP set, gaskets, plugs, w/shield wiper motor- crap, what else. I think if a good deal comes up or whatever, be prepared because it's inevitable many times. Electrical stuff especially will wear out. If I got a chance at getting a new starter cheap, why not? I know these starters are a crap design. Mind you, I got alot of this stuff really cheap, or free. Just, instead of waiting for things to break and pay the dealer 10 times the price, buy some stuff now IF it's a good deal, 100-200 bucks for a full set of Motorcraft COP's is a good deal so think about scooping them up for a later date.

 

Guys... I am with you on carrying a few extra parts... in the garage maybe? ... most likely down at Autozone at the end of the street. If you need something, jump in the convertible or on the bike and go get it.

A few pictures of my baby...

I have a 2003 Lariat 4.6L Triton SuperCrew (Photo1) with 147k and the ONLY problem I have had was a COP on cyl #5 @ 89k. I replaced it and have been pulling strong since. Pulled a 20' car-hauler with 3 500+ ATV on it and one in the bed over 700 miles. Not the first problem!! Ford makes a DAM fine engine and if you keep regular maintenance and use consistency in the maintenance, you shouldn't have any real problems. ( I may be a little bit ocd when it comes to consistency in maintenance and keeping the truck clean )

Today I put 5lbs of R134a in the compressor, but that was $15 well spent and 150k later... probably needed to happen. It took a special $20 adapter, the 03 only had one schrader valve and it was 1/4 larger than 99 percent of the vehicle A/C refrigerant valves. Dunno why.

You don't need anything special for 100k. Just perform normal maintenance.
I do Oil + Filter with fully synthetic at 10k per change. Oil comes out the same color and texture. It is finally starting to have a little color now when it drains.
Stock tires made 70k and wheels and tires at 130k. Rotate and balance every 10k.
Brakes have been consistently 50k for fronts. Rear pads at 75k.
Run $5 STP Injecter cleaner every 5k or so.
Clean Air Filter each 25k. Replaced at 100k.
Plugs at 100k.
... and a gallon of wiper fluid about every month.

I figured that a fuel filter would be necessary soon, but I'm not having any symptoms of shortage or low fuel rail pressure. I can't say enough about this engine!!

I checked tranny and rear end fluid again about 2 weeks ago and didn't believe that they looked as if they didn't need changing, I wanted a second opinion. I took it to a Ford Dealership, they asked me why I was bringing it in with so few miles on the fluids. I took that as a "Doesn't need to be changed yet." I have yet to see signs of wear or hear any problems while driving.

My only gripe is my leather is starting to show some wear lines and one very small crack. I feed it on a regular wash basis with high dollar leather food... and it still showing age. Photo 7...