I was driving down hiway and truck started bucking and check engine light came on. Took it to local mech. and he found antifreeze in #4 cylinder which was fouling spark plug. Put new plug in and truck runs fine but he said I should have it checked out by Ford as soon as possible. Has anyone had this problem or know what caused it. I would like as much info as possible before going to dealer. Truck is a '97 4x4 4.6V8 w/70K miles.

 

First thing is.. you probably want to check AND change the oil. Check it for contamination with antifreeze. You can also do a compression check. They have compression testers at any reputable autoparts store.

Honestly, a simple plug replacement isn't gonna work. You definitely got bigger problems. Possibly a bad/blown intake or head gasket (probable cause) or even worse a cracked head. I would not drive it until you can get it to the dealer ASAP.

[This message has been edited by Jupiterak (edited 07-12-2000).]

 

Take some samples of the engine oil and the radiator antifreeze.

The favorite cause for symptom described is a leaky head gasket -- but a cracked head or cylinder block are not out of the question (but rare).

Don't dally, since it is possible for the engine to 'park' such that the piston is down -- and the pressure of the cooling system can ooze the antifreeze into the cylinder -- whereupon the first compression stroke can meet with what's called 'hydraulic lock' which causes really bad things to happen (broken piston or bent/broken rod or cracked head -- I even saw a starter motor jump off, taking it's mounting bolts with it).

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Y2K™

Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"

 

I agree. Antifreeze should never be found on the compression side of the engine. Get it to a (good) mechanic soon. Most likely cause is the head gasket.

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Black 1997 F-150 Supercab Flairside. 4.6L with Jocobs DIS, K&N Generation II, Cat back Exhaust (my own, nice rumble). 17" Off Road wheel pkg. Lots of body mods. 4 yrs old and still turns heads...

 

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH A LOSE HOSE CONNECTION WHICH DRIPS ANTIFREEZE ON TO THE PLUG WHICK WILL FOUL THE PLUG AS YOU SAID,DO YOU SMELL IT WHEN YOU STOP OR OPEN THE HOOD .THERE IS A TSB ON IT BUT FORD WON'T CALL YOU THAT'S FOR SURE,IF THAT PISTON IS STILL GOING UP AND DOWN IT WILL NOT STAY IN THE CYCLINDER THATS FOR SURE.I WOULD THINK IF YOU HAD A BAD HEAD GASKET YOU WOULD PROBLEY SEE STEAM FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE,CHECK THE HOSES OVER THAT PLUG LOCATION,I HAD THIS PROBLEM BUT MINE WAS UNDER WARRANTY,IT'S NOW FIXED .1998SUPERCAB 5.4L

 

That sounds like a classic sign of a bad head gasket. Question, is the coolant actually "in" the cylinder? or is it just on the plug?

Also see if there is any coolant mixed in with the oil....if so it would almost deffenitly be the head gasket.....

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96 F150 XL,special
Air/PS/PB/AM-FM-Cass/
Light Package/300 I6/
5 SP Man/...
Nothing fancy just my little baby

 

Escort3 what was the outcome?? I have coolant in the #8 sparkplug cavity. It has happened 3 times now and I have finally taken it outide the dealer. The local Ford dealer can sure do a nice $180 carwash though.

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'97 F150 4.6L 4x2 Lariat extended cab sb Flareside green/tan

 

Assuming you found coolant in the spark plug
cavity and not in the cylinder itself you most likely have a coolant hose leaking on
that cylinder. There has been numerous people complain of this problem and it
usually shorts out the #4 coil causing
what you describe. I have seen it happen
to two diffrent trucks in the last year.

Good Luck!

 

I had a recall performed on somethin like this I believe.

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'97 XLT Clearcoat Red 4x2
17 inch Wheels,Stepside, K&N,bedliner, 32 inch tires, flowmasters, deep tint, big Ford oval on back window, 5 spd, platinum plugs, CB, hidden hitch, ford emblem hitch cover and a little wal-mart smiley face on the antenna wearing a coboy hat :-)

http://www.my-f150.com/waldo0506