5.4L missing bad now!!!!
06-16-2014, 10:01 PM
#11
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So.....here is an update.
I took it to a referred mechanic who put it on a diagnostic tool (by SnapOn). He ran a "Cylinder balance" check on it. I think that's what he called it. The screen had a graphs for each cylinder which kinda looked like an EKG screen. Anyways he determined that it had a slight miss in all 8 cylinders. Since it wasn't doing it before coil and plug change, he ruled out the CVT issues. He also though it was highly unlikely that I got 8 bad coils brand new. He didn't think it was any type of vacuum leak either. His recommendation was to exchange the NGK plugs and put MotorCraft plugs in the truck. He said that Ford vehicle seem to be pretty picky about ignition components and that would be his first step in troubleshooting the issue.
I took his word on it and got the new plugs. I put them in a couple hours ago AND so far so good. I have good consistent power. I drove it for about 20 miles as a quick test with no issues. The old NGK plugs also acted fine for the first 2 days so lets hope the MotorCraft plugs don't play out the same way.
Do any of you agree with his diagnosis and think that my issue may be resolved?
I took it to a referred mechanic who put it on a diagnostic tool (by SnapOn). He ran a "Cylinder balance" check on it. I think that's what he called it. The screen had a graphs for each cylinder which kinda looked like an EKG screen. Anyways he determined that it had a slight miss in all 8 cylinders. Since it wasn't doing it before coil and plug change, he ruled out the CVT issues. He also though it was highly unlikely that I got 8 bad coils brand new. He didn't think it was any type of vacuum leak either. His recommendation was to exchange the NGK plugs and put MotorCraft plugs in the truck. He said that Ford vehicle seem to be pretty picky about ignition components and that would be his first step in troubleshooting the issue.
I took his word on it and got the new plugs. I put them in a couple hours ago AND so far so good. I have good consistent power. I drove it for about 20 miles as a quick test with no issues. The old NGK plugs also acted fine for the first 2 days so lets hope the MotorCraft plugs don't play out the same way.
Do any of you agree with his diagnosis and think that my issue may be resolved?
06-16-2014, 10:24 PM
#12
Martin
I agree regarding MC plugs, Fords as many other models of vehicles can be very sensitive to brand. If the problem returns do some research on coil brands as they are the same as plugs, very sensitive plus there is a lot of inferior product out there claiming to be high performance. Some items are better left oem.
06-17-2014, 10:30 AM
#13
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well back to square one. After another 15 minutes of driving this morning, same exact issue resurfaced. Took it back to mechanic with daignostic tool and he still shows a miss across every cylinder. He is clueless at what the issue could be now. He suggested going to dealership and paying an arm and a leg for them to run diagnostics on it. I hate using dealerships. I have had nothing but bad experiences with them (not Ford in particular) with past vehicles.
I guess it is down to one of the following:
Cam timing
computer
coils
I guess it is down to one of the following:
Cam timing
computer
coils
06-20-2014, 04:23 PM
#15
It could also be fuel injectors too, I would
Put it motorcraft coils and plugs and let each injector soak in cleaner,'they just pop out. Let us know if u need help or suggestions. I don't see
It being a cam issue or VCT issue unless you have a lot of noise from the engine or on start up.
Put it motorcraft coils and plugs and let each injector soak in cleaner,'they just pop out. Let us know if u need help or suggestions. I don't see
It being a cam issue or VCT issue unless you have a lot of noise from the engine or on start up.
06-20-2014, 06:39 PM
#16
I had the same experience two months ago with my 09' XLT with 5.4 had put in Granatelli coils to try and pick up a little power. As soon as I installed them I had a misfire on 6 out of 8 cylinders. Put stock coils back in and has run fine ever since. Granatelli coils were the problem. Try putting in a set of OEM coils and I bet it will fix your problem.
06-22-2014, 11:06 AM
#17
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Coils were definitely the issue. I replaced the Granatelli's with a set of BWD coils. Upon swapping them out, I made some comaprisons.
1. BWD coils were much heavier
2. My harnesses clipped onto the BWD much tighter and more secure. I could pull the harnesses off of the Granatelli's with a decent tug without pressing the clip.
3. The BWD boots were much better made. They seemed to be a heavier rubber compound whereas the Grantelli's seemed to be very thin and almost purely silicon.
My honest opinion is that it was the boots causing the whole issue. I think that once the boots got to a certain temperature, they started letting fire pass through them to the head essentially causing the engine to get a much weaker spark. That would explain why it would run good with engine cold and start acting up after driving for a while but didn't necessarily coincide with engine operating temperatures. I am running BWD coils with MC plugs and it is running great. Spent 4 hours in it yesterday with no a single spit or sputter.
Beware of Granatelli part#GRN-21-3014.....
Luckily Summit refunded my order.
1. BWD coils were much heavier
2. My harnesses clipped onto the BWD much tighter and more secure. I could pull the harnesses off of the Granatelli's with a decent tug without pressing the clip.
3. The BWD boots were much better made. They seemed to be a heavier rubber compound whereas the Grantelli's seemed to be very thin and almost purely silicon.
My honest opinion is that it was the boots causing the whole issue. I think that once the boots got to a certain temperature, they started letting fire pass through them to the head essentially causing the engine to get a much weaker spark. That would explain why it would run good with engine cold and start acting up after driving for a while but didn't necessarily coincide with engine operating temperatures. I am running BWD coils with MC plugs and it is running great. Spent 4 hours in it yesterday with no a single spit or sputter.
Beware of Granatelli part#GRN-21-3014.....
Luckily Summit refunded my order.
06-22-2014, 12:07 PM
#18
Senior Member
So.....here is an update.
His recommendation was to exchange the NGK plugs and put MotorCraft plugs in the truck. He said that Ford vehicle seem to be pretty picky about ignition components and that would be his first step in troubleshooting the issue.
I took his word on it and got the new plugs. I put them in a couple hours ago AND so far so good. I have good consistent power. I drove it for about 20 miles as a quick test with no issues. The old NGK plugs also acted fine for the first 2 days so lets hope the MotorCraft plugs don't play out the same way.
Do any of you agree with his diagnosis and think that my issue may be resolved?
His recommendation was to exchange the NGK plugs and put MotorCraft plugs in the truck. He said that Ford vehicle seem to be pretty picky about ignition components and that would be his first step in troubleshooting the issue.
I took his word on it and got the new plugs. I put them in a couple hours ago AND so far so good. I have good consistent power. I drove it for about 20 miles as a quick test with no issues. The old NGK plugs also acted fine for the first 2 days so lets hope the MotorCraft plugs don't play out the same way.
Do any of you agree with his diagnosis and think that my issue may be resolved?
I've been running the NGK plugs for a couple months now without issue.
06-22-2014, 06:29 PM
#20
Senior Member
Coils were definitely the issue. I replaced the Granatelli's with a set of BWD coils. Upon swapping them out, I made some comaprisons.
1. BWD coils were much heavier
2. My harnesses clipped onto the BWD much tighter and more secure. I could pull the harnesses off of the Granatelli's with a decent tug without pressing the clip.
3. The BWD boots were much better made. They seemed to be a heavier rubber compound whereas the Grantelli's seemed to be very thin and almost purely silicon.
My honest opinion is that it was the boots causing the whole issue. I think that once the boots got to a certain temperature, they started letting fire pass through them to the head essentially causing the engine to get a much weaker spark. That would explain why it would run good with engine cold and start acting up after driving for a while but didn't necessarily coincide with engine operating temperatures. I am running BWD coils with MC plugs and it is running great. Spent 4 hours in it yesterday with no a single spit or sputter.
Beware of Granatelli part#GRN-21-3014.....
Luckily Summit refunded my order.
1. BWD coils were much heavier
2. My harnesses clipped onto the BWD much tighter and more secure. I could pull the harnesses off of the Granatelli's with a decent tug without pressing the clip.
3. The BWD boots were much better made. They seemed to be a heavier rubber compound whereas the Grantelli's seemed to be very thin and almost purely silicon.
My honest opinion is that it was the boots causing the whole issue. I think that once the boots got to a certain temperature, they started letting fire pass through them to the head essentially causing the engine to get a much weaker spark. That would explain why it would run good with engine cold and start acting up after driving for a while but didn't necessarily coincide with engine operating temperatures. I am running BWD coils with MC plugs and it is running great. Spent 4 hours in it yesterday with no a single spit or sputter.
Beware of Granatelli part#GRN-21-3014.....
Luckily Summit refunded my order.
Go figure! I tried 2 other sets (a lot more expensive) and both = EPIC FAIL!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Bottom line… if you're 5.4 starts misfiring anytime your pulling even a slight grade start looking at the COPS! BTW… my Ford dealership tested the FAILED COPS and told me they were ALL good!!! NOT!!
