tomasulo

Hey guys,

I have a 2011 Ecoboost F150. Last week, when I started the truck, cylinder 1 misfired, and I got a bunch of error codes, and the engine light illuminated. Took it to my Ford Dealer. They said that cylinder 1 misfired, causing the oxygen sensor and catalytic converter to fry. I had the engine light on for a day, then it went out, then only came on once since then. Have been driving for almost a week and no engine light. No loss of fuel mileage or consumption. I had it booked for a full replacement of the cat converter, oxygen sensor, cylinder one ignition coil and a new spark plug. Big job...about $1000!! My question is....should I just replace the coil and plug first and see how long I get by without issues on the oxygen sensor and cat converter, or replace everything now? I have heard of guys leaving the cat and they had no issues for a long time. The Dealer says over time, the cat will clog up and fuel economy will deteriorate substantially. Any help would be appreciated in me making the decision on this costly repair. Thanks

RLXXI

How many miles, what engine etc.........
.

Lee308

Just me, but I don't trust dealers. (they earned the nick name stealerships)
If you are well under 100k miles, I'd just change the coil pack myself and drive it. If near 100k, change all the plugs.
I have never heard of a CC stopping up for a misfire.
I have heard of many coil pack failures.

SALEEN961

iTrader: (1)

Big red flag! You cannot properly diagnose a catalytic convertor when there's an active misfire or dead oxygen sensors, fix the misfire and then only replace the cat and O2 if they're actually bad.

This sounds like a lazy tech throwing every possible answer at your truck without really taking the time to look at it. What is actually wrong with the oxygen sensor? How was catalytic efficiency measured with a failed oxygen sensor? Was exhaust system back pressure ever measured to determine if the cat was clogged or were you just told it probably will be eventually? And if you have a bad O2 and a clogged cat how does the tech know that isn't the reason for your misfire?

Siber Express

How many miles on the truck, because if it is under 80,000 the Cat should be under the 80,000/8 year emission warranty

tomasulo

Thanks guys! the truck is a 3.5L Eco...2011...is has 150,000kms.

RLXXI

Exactly what Saleen said, fix the misfire clear the codes and take it for a good long test drive, 100-200 miles and see if the cel pops.

With that said @ your mileage, you are approaching the end of useful life span of both the cats and the O2 sensors but I have seen them last quite a while longer, no sense changing them now if they are still working and you won't know that until you take care of the main issue, the cylinder that's not contributing 100%.
.

Lee308

Agree with what you said except the useful life of a cat converter. It only has 93K miles on it, I have driven a ford explorer for 200k miles, no cat problem. He does need to change spark plugs though.

Missmy06

Your one off situation does not mean they all will make it to 200k. Also, is your Explorer direct injected and turbocharged? Because the extra particulate matter that is in the exhaust of a GTDI engine will shorten the life of a catalytic converter as well. 100k is a reasonable lifespan of a cat in a GTDI engine.

Lee308

Sounds like a good reason not to buy an ecoboost truck. I want low maintenance/reliability above all.
Thanks.