I just bought an 06 F150 supercrew. Only 44K miles on it. I got suckered. I have since had a new transmission placed, a vaccum leak in the vapor system repaired, and now it appears I am going to need new plugs and coils. I am wondering if it is easier to just do the plugs first and see if that fixes the misfires, or if I should just do them both at the same time? I know the plugs are about $10 a peice, but the coils from the dealership are $95, and for a 5.4 trition V8, that is a lot of money. Looking for some recommendations. Took the service guy for a test drive today and it is severly misfiring on 4 cylinders. They think it is just the plugs but could be the coils. Wonder if anyone has some advice??

 

The coils can be tested independently.
Edited for mis-information due to the fact that I needed to pay more attention to the year of the truck. ummm-oops !!
Severly misfiring on 4 cylinders
I assume you have a check engine light on and the Tech put it on the HANDY DANDY Diagnostics Scantool and showed you that you had severe misfires on 4 cylinders. If there is no CEL on and they didn't Scantool it and show you a printout of the diagnosis, Run and run really fast to another dealer or a good mechanic you trust.
What is the trucks running condition currently. Severly misfiring on 4 cylinders. Wondering if your running the truck in limp mode or something.
Now I am banging my head on my desk. Need alot more info before I say anything more.
Banging head again, The rest of this, I stand by the info and my head still hurts lol lol

 

Are you aware o fthe difficulty in changing the plugs on the 5.4 3v> Do a search on the sparkplug TSB. It needs to be followed explictly.

It's highly unusal for the plugs to be a problem with that mileage. They normally go 100,000 and well beyond.

 

they dont make coils for the 5.4 3v yet. accel(junk) was the only ones i could find on ebay for the 3v 5.4 other than motorcraft.

tedmonds4- could you get the code numbers or figure out which cylinders it was that were misfiring. it could be timing, plugs, coils, a catalytic convertor, etc. we need the actual p codes.
has the motor ever been wet? have the heads ever been pulled off for any work? or the cams?

 

I trust this dealership. I did not take it to the dealership I bought it from because all they did was change the fuel filter and air filter and reset the CEL. So when the CEL came back on, I took it to a new dealership (after trying 4 times at the other dealership first). I took the guy for a drive with me because I didn't want to hear that they couldn't duplicate the problem. That was when they diagnosed it with th leak in the vapor system, and the transmission issue. Those have since been fixed. They also calibrated the vehicle for the size tires I have on it, so the tranny will shift at the right time now. So I took the guy for a ride again today. The hesitation or sputtering as I call it only occurs after I have been on a decent incline, and then it levels out. So when it kicks up into 3 gear, it starts missfiring and then it evens out. The tech said it was misfiring on 1, 3, 5 and 7, kindof odd that they are all odd. They said it is most likely just bad sparkplugs. I have not put water on the engine, and don't know if the dealership I bought it from sprayed out the engine or not. I don't really know much about it before I bought it, other than whoever owned it beat it I am sure of that, why else would I have to replace a tranny at 44K miles? The truck runs fine other than that. In fact it took me a while to notice it because I never drive on inclines and that is the only time it ever does it. Both times I have taken this same tech for a test drive I have to drive clear across the valley because that is the only place I know that I can get it to do it. I trust these guys, they have really been upfront and honest with me. I just really don't want to have to pay to have them do the plugs, and the coils if I can do them myself. I am going to buy a chiltons manual, but I was just curious about doing it at all. How do I test the coils, would that be something the dealership would have to do?

 

Some things you can do to pin-point the problem - Since you mentioned something about wanting to do the plugs yourself, here's the first thing I would check without a doubt if I had your problem. -

Injectors -

Disconnect battery/Pull the fuel rail only, leave fuel lines connected/Lay rags down around coils and bottom of injectors/Pull injectors from head/disconnect power source (connector)/ insert injectors to rail/With rags, clean up any residual fuel that may have leaked, get rid of the rags/ Lay a fresh set of rags down /Connect battery/ turn key to run and pressurize fuel rail/ inspect injectors for leakage.

Any leaks ? Yes/ -Replace injectors. Their flooding the cylinders, -Fouling the plugs.

The 05's had a bad batch of injectors. They are seeing this problem in allot of 06's now.

Ford increased the injector warranty to 100,000 miles for the 05 models. As far as I know, they haven't for the 06 , but most likely will in the future.
__________________________________________________ __________________

Do you own fuel system diagnostics. You need to have on hand - Pressure gauge/ at least a Haynes , Chiltons service manual. These manuals will have your pressure #'s and procedure. Before testing further, you must change fuel filter.

Here's a tree of general diagnostics (not vehicle specific). Specific tests not outlined, I posted above -



__________________________________________________ ____________________

Everything good? YES. -

Inspect plugs/coils/boots - look for water in plug chambers.

BTW - WeaponX if you need coils. - http://www.rpmoutlet.com/musv8wgf.htm

 

Kind of early for coil's and plugs at 44k, did you pressure wash the engine compartment lately?

 

No I haven't done anything to the vehicle like washing the engine. I have washed the exterior and that is it. Unfortunately whomever owned it before me I am sure beat it. It is too soon to be replacing the transmission, but I have now done that. Jbrew, thank you for all the above info. I am guessing you are saying to do that before I make the decision to do the plugs/coils then huh? I am sure we can do that. I have heard the plugs and coils is a big job. Whatever happened to good old carburators and normal sparkplug wires. I would so much rather do that. Wouldn't the injectors throw a CEL though? The only CEL's that I have had come on had to do with the emissions system (the leak in the vapor system) and the transmission, nothing having to do with the fuel system. Although, now that you mention it, the first time we did it ourselves and hooked up our own diagnostic tool it threw two codes that my sister said seemed to mean the engine was getting too much gas. Hmmm the plot thickens. I am going to have to find those codes again. I remember we googled it, so maybe I can find it. What a beast. I used to think Ford tough, but now I am rethinking.

 

My Bad !!! Should of paid attention to the year, 2006.
I'm so used to reading about the older models.

 

Tried to give yuh a heads up earlier lol. - It was to late tho. :o

It should be in your mail box.

 

Just seen the notification. Thanks for the heads up and covering by back.

Seriously, so used to talking about 2 valves the 2006 slipped right by.
I'm surprised no one has cashed in on COP's for the 3 valves yet.
I see someone said they tried the Accel's but they were junk.

How's the truck coming. Your thread got buried somewhere. Tune coming soon or what. Daily driver yet?

 

Guess the fixed the 08 3 valves - Changed the chamber and the plugs. I didn't know that until today lol

But what about all the others 04 - 07 ? It's $250 + 90 per busted plug for a change

It's a Raptor or nothing for me lol.

Trucks good, - Just lifted the front end about an inch and half, fabbing some blocks for the back. Looks purdy good - Needs another damn alighnment now - That will be the second alignment in two weeks. I should just quit franking with it and drive the damn thing.

 

If they have fixed the plug and injector issues, maybe now I would consider a new Ford if something happens to Big Red. (be kind, my 12 yr old named the truck)

What shocks did you end up going with or did you use the extensions you bought for the existing shocks. Do the Alignment and drive it already. You got $$$ just sitting in your garage looking at you saying lets go play and get dirty.