Almost impossible. The head gasket is between the head the block surface. The plugs are in the head, above the mating surface. It would have to enter the cylinder and be forced through the plug threads to magically enter the plug well. If there was coolant in the plug well, that would cause a misfire. It was common for the heater hose to leak into.... you guessed it, the number 4 plug. So in that case, it is most likely either the heater hose, or manifold gasket, not the head gasket. But, as far as what you have leaking down by the starter, well... we've determined a 90% chance you have a leaking heater hose... could possibly be coming from there. So investigate that first and fix it. If coolant continues to leak at the starter area after you have found the leak in either your heater hose or intake manifold, then check the head gasket area. But I would guess your head gasket is fine. Unless you actually found coolant present in the cylinder. But I am guessing the coolant you found was in the plug well and when the plug was removed you noticed it.

 

could be 2 different deals. The heater core hose is most likely leaking. Start there. figure out witch hose is leaking and replace it.

 

Ok, well I'll start with the hoses and see if I can't find my problem there first. Just one last question, have they had any problems with the intake leaking on the 4.6?

 

Can it leak? yes. thats not the usual deal but it possible. Most likely the heater hose then the tube in the intake valley could be leaking. head gasket maybe. Less possible the intake. if you have to fix the tube in the intake valley the intake has to come off..
Find the leaking hose first. That could be the source of everything.

 

Well I did some more looking into the problem and pulled all the plug wires and greased them all up. Upon starting it back up my cylinder misfire went from cylinder 4 to 3. I know I still have coolant leaking from somewhere but is there any chance that the misfire can be caused due to a different problem?

 

Generally, 3 & 4 both get soaked from that leaking heater core hose so that still the likely cause of your problem..

 

Also now my check engine light went from a solid check engine to a flashing check engine. Any ideas what a flashing check engine light means?

 

constant misfire ..

 

hi, i'm having the exact problem as you did you ever find a solution? i started having the problem this morning changed the plugs still no difference, what did you find out

thank you