fordman77

Ok so im driving along all of a sudden truck is acting like its running out of gas start a little shaking and idiling low, i stop put more in i had a 1/4 tank i fill to half ,start it up it starts uo really slow but does start , im driving here we go again acting like its gonna stall especially on acceleration and here comes engine light , i drive a few miles get higher up in speed engine light blinks a few times i slow down it stops blinking but stays on .ford service closed today. Drove it home. Didnt hook up to code reader yet but u guys have any ideas i know it could be alot of things . Truck has the v6 . Automatic, not 4x4 , just the xl basic work truck 8ft bed. Battery,oil,temp guages all fine . One thing maybe unrelated abs light was on for a while before this now its not ,just check engine light .also when it was doing that almost stalling thing i would hear like a rattle a couple times .tx

gone postal

Blinking CEL=misfire. Need to find which cylinder code.

2008__XL

I agree.

Go to an auto parts store and have them read the code for free. Post the exact code here or looking it up online.

fordman77

could not even drive it this morning its barely staying going , i have white smoke from exhaust tailpipe. going to have it towed to ford dealer by my house. dont want to risk anymore damage , i do have a aftermarket warranty im hoping its covered its engine and powertrain. hope its not catalac converter those are expensive and not covered.

fordman77

well took it to local ford dealer . code P0303 . misfire cylinder 3. so this is the 4.2 v6 i know they had problems with the v8 triton but this 4.2 is supposed to be one of the better engines, here is what was told they want to replace ignition coil pack, spark plugs, plug wires, system clean (injecters etc.. $980.00 . of course my aftermarket warranty wont cover it i have engine,powertrain,drive axle coverage these are considered maintenance items truck only has 75,000 miles. after i cleaned my boxers from sxxxing myself i said why so much that $300 in parts at the most ? "we need to do a fuel system clean as well if the plugs have goop on them they might break off if they do its $50.00 per plug removal ". i finally negotiated the price down $150.00 and he will waive the $50.00 each charge hes going to tell the tech to be extra careful so its going to be about $650 thats for the coil pack plugs and wires (that will take care of the code and make it run good again. tune ups used to be a set price he explained now there is so many engines that they have different packages no more a set price for 4 cylinder ,6 cylinder and so on , this package does not even include an oil change , called firestone and a couple other places they said between 500-750 for a tune up for the truck so the dealer isnt totally out of price range. i am limited on time so i have to have them do it i cant take it home and fiddle with it and if a plug breaks off i'm screwed.

fordman77

My question to u guys with the xl 4.2 v6 engine , should i stick it out with this truck is it going to be a money pit or is this something that has to be done anyway . Truck is nice its only got 75,000 miles, good shape body,paint ,interior is mint. 8ft.bed. Best of all its paid off. I dont want to go back to the ram too many issues, dashes craking, rust problems, sure as hell dont need anouther truck payment, the cheapest used f150 this dealer has is 30,000 lol. Please help me put my mind to ease its my first ford drove all dodge rams until i bought this one. Honestly i think ford trucks look like better quality then the rams of these years 2000-2009. They sure drive better then the rams,

fordman77

So im wondering since the price of the new ford trucks is so much a new one is 40k-70k for the raptor i wonder will maintence and repairs go up because guys are going to buy used ones more then ever .

BadFish523

First of all my understanding is the 4.2 is a rock solid motor and you should not have many problems. I agree P0303 is a misfire on cylinder 3. However, $650 for that work seems REALLY high to me. Another thing it is a relatively simple fix to do yourself. I would recommend you do this work yourself. If you have the tools, time, and a little mechanical ability.


Coil $65 https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...sn=441&jsn=441


Wires $41 https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...441659&jsn=448


Plug $3 (I would do them ALL) https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...441659&jsn=474


I would start with these items first for a total of $124 and I bet that will fix your misfire.

2008__XL

I have 115k on my 2008 4.2. Owned it since new and I haven't had any issues.

fordman77

Did u guys have to replace youre coil pack yet? ANY OTHER THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR ON THIS ENGINE. WOULD THAT MISFIRE CAUSE WHITE SMOKE TO COME OUT OF TAILPIPE?