Hello,

I would appreciate some help with my truck.

I ran a scan on it after I started having problems awhile back and the error code I get is a Cylinder 3 Misfire Code. My truck was suddenly losing power when I'd come to a light or a stop. Also, in order to drive it I would have to put it in OD. It finally died out a few weeks back and I have since been trying to figure out how to go about fixing this without going to a shop.

I'm not a skilled mechanic by any means but I am able to fix things if given good direction. I'm a Marine stationed here in NC and would really appreciate any help you can give me. If you have any questions, I'll do my best to answer them and hope it makes sense.

Will changing the plugs and COD help this issue? If so, can you tell me where the best place is to purchase these items.

My truck is an 04 and has less than 90K on it. It ran great from day one. I bought it privately from the original owner This just came out of nowhere

Any other suggestions are appreciated. I really want to avoid taking my truck to a shop. I have plenty of tools to work on it I just need some guidance.

Again, I appreciate your help. Thank you

 

If your truck has 90,000 and the plugs have never been changed you're gonna wanna start with changing out all of the plugs. Ford changed the suggested schedule for changing them from 100,000 to 60,000.
You're gonna wanna use motorcraft plugs only. You can get these at rock auto, i believe or heck even on Ebay. Be careful these engines have a 2 piece plug that trend to snap when taking them out. There is an extractor tool for getting those plugs out. A member on here rents it or you could buy it yourself...

If you plan on doing this yourself take these necessary steps.
1. Run techron fuel additive in 3 full tanks of gas before change.
2. Let your engine get warmed up to operating temp.
3. Procede to extract plugs using electric impact.
4 pause between each successful plug extraction to have a beer. or beverage of choosing
5. Pat yourself on the back when the job is done...

Do a search for successful plug change. There is a more indepth how-to on changing these plugs..

Good luck and thank you for your service!

 

The part number for the recommended Motorcraft spark plugs is SP515, most parts stores have them or can get them.

There are techniques for changing them, unfortunately on an 04 you will probably break some of them no matter what you do because the factory didn't put antiseize on the ground sleeves. You will need a Lisle 65600 extraction tool to remove the broken ones.

I'm (long) retired military, do bases still have auto hobby shops? If so, I'd go over there and ask around to see if there's anyone with experience in changing Ford 5.4 3 valve plugs to help and advise you.

 

May be also a bad cop (spark plug boot).

 

Well - the COP is the actual coil, the boot and spring is removable. It would be a good idea to change the boot/spring assemblies when changing the plugs, they are fairly cheap at the parts stores. If you find that the actual COP (coil) is bad, replace with a Motorcraft or Visteon part. Those are NOT cheap, the best deals are on Ebay for Visteons, part # is 60-1005, they are in the high $20's each.

 

I appreciate all the responses! I didn't expect them so fast. This is great.
Going to print off everything and will post an update when it's completed, then again, may post again along the way if I run into something

I have one quick question. Does anyone know why I have to drive in OD due to this problem. I'm not driving it now. It's parked until I fix it.

 

@ the Lariet Thanks for the detailed info This is great! I appreciate it. No thanks needed for serving my country. I'm proud to do it and it's because of people like you that make it all worth it. The end of # 4 will probably be a reality after taking this task on.

 

Don't wish to be a naysayer, but based on your description of the problem, I wouldn't just start replacing parts. A lot of folks take that approach, but I recommend you get to the root of the problem first. Replacing parts without knowing they will fix the problem can be expensive.

I just did a quick search on this problem and came across this: http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/92...0-misfire.html. I suggest you read it, and also do some more in depth searching on the internet before you do anything.

Good luck.

 

I recently had this problem on my 01i replaced the coil pack on that cylinder number 3 I'd the 3rd one back on passenger side

 

But with 90,000 miles he should have the spark plugs changed any way its a good PM thing.

 

No problem we're here to help. I'd expect the same from you .. Ah #4 is best enjoyed during at least it is for me haha.

 

Found this just now and thought you may find it useful: http://easyautodiagnostics.com/ford_...ion_ford_1.php.

 

Do you mean you have to turn OD "OFF"?

TOTALLY concur. Factory specs are now every 60k. I would not be surprised if this is the reason the original owner sold it, he didn't want to deal with a plug change.

 

Sorry I was away for awhile but wanted too update you on the truck. The issue with my truck was a bad fuel pump. Everything else looked good, plugs too. The mechanic explained the fuel that we use today is terrible on the truck as a whole. So 300 and some dollars later for an Airtex Fuel Pump, the truck is being fixed this Thursday. Due to weather and my job the repair had too be postponed a bit. I will update again soon but hopefully this goes well. Unfortunately before the truck died I filled up so we have to deal with a full fuel tank. I'm thankful it wasn't worst To answer GLC- yes, for some reason I have to keep the OD on ( before it died) for the truck to drive good or it would start sputtering out. Maybe with this fix, it will resolve that. Thanks again to all for the advice and taking the time to help me out.
Semper Fi