For the THIRD time, the number 4 coil on my engine has gone bad. The first two times the engine ran VERY rough. This last time the engine had a mild but annoying shudder at low rpm's. I did not recognize this as a coil problem. I told dealer service I may have a transmission shudder. Later the same day they called and said no trans problem, everything checked out OK. Finally got a tech guy to ride with me to show him what I was talking about. He agreed there was a slight miss but didn't know the cause. Finally, they checked previous service record and found same # 4 coil to be faulty. When I ask why this same coil keeps going bad they don't have an answer but hint at my aftermarket products. (see signature)

Is there any way that superchip or any of my other mods could be causing this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Jim

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FASTFOURBY
98 Lariat 5.4 4X4 SC SB Tow ORP
Superchipped!
K&N
WMS Velocity tube
Gibson Sport Truck exhaust
Edelbrock IAS
JBA Headers
16X8 Centerline Billet Wheels 285 75 16 BFG AT's for summer Stock 17's and Goodyears for winter.

 

Thanks lone wolf, that is what they told me the second time I took it in. I assumed they corrected that problem! As I said above this last time was a much milder miss. I just hope this time it is corrected for good. However, considering the problems I have had with this dealer concerning my aftermarket stuff, I would like to be sure that anything I have done is not causing the problem.

Jim

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FASTFOURBY
98 Lariat 5.4 4X4 SC SB Tow ORP
Superchipped!
K&N
WMS Velocity tube
Gibson Sport Truck exhaust
Edelbrock IAS
JBA Headers
16X8 Centerline Billet Wheels 285 75 16 BFG AT's for summer Stock 17's and Goodyears for winter.

 

Lone wolf is right, the clamp on the heater hose was a problem. Those clamps were bad and would not tighen right letting a small amount of antifrezze drip onto coil of #4 cyl

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99 F150 xlt s/c orp auto, 2,000 5.4 replacement soft tonneau, rubber maid bed mat,mud from the dirt bike(YZ250)

 

Howdy Jim,

I overheard a discussion concerning the #4 coil and it was implied that a clamp on the heater hose was wrong/or installed incorrectly and that coolant would leak and short out the coil. Don't know if there is a TSB on this or what?.

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2000 F-150 Lariat, Flareside, Black, SC, 4x4, 5.4L, 3.55, Garmin Street Pilot Color GPS

 

I had same problem, The dealer replaced coil and added a Ideal hose clamp to the heater hose instead of the sprink loaded type.

 

I'd say it's those Goodyear tires causing a miss. And what's missing??? Traction.

But seriously, #4 is a problem. See if they replaced the clamp. Then ponder whether or not they damaged the tube where the hose connectst to it, or maybe the hose is bad.

Here's a thought. You keep the truck for several years. Now it's old enough that you need hoses. OOps! a heater hose goes. Guess ya need coil packs???? Haven't seen this, but I imagine it could happen. (sorry)

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1997 F-150, 4.6, automatic, Dark Toreador Red, Supercab, Flareside, 4X4 Off-Road, Towing Package, Ford hvy dty rubber floor mats, Kenwood 10-disk cd changer, Ford bugshield, Chrome Grizzly Wrap Around Push Bar with 2 KC 100w Daylighters, Ventshades, Ford bedliner, cab and bed professionally undercoated, Code Alarm Sure Start RVS remote starter, Ford alarm, Realistic CB with Wilson Little Wil antenna and Astatic power mic, ported MAF sensor, and Lots of TLC!! (Besides being an F-150 nut, I am a Ford auto technician.)

 

Well, I've had the #4 coil go twice. I don't know why it went the first time. The second time (on the new motor) was due to the coolant leak. I highly doubt your mods affected the coil. The chip is the only one that could be considered a culprit. But as far as I know, the chip doesn't increase the voltage, only timing. That wouldn't hurt it.

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99 XLT Black Ex-cab, Flareside, 5.4, ORP, 3.73, Gibson Supertruck, K&N, Superchip, WMS Velocity Tube, Modified Airbox, Slap-Free Motor at @19k