Does your 5.4 destroy catalytic converters?
03-15-2017, 09:12 AM
#41
LightningRod
I agree with @Dirttracker18 that a cat (clogged or melted) will not be the cause of misfires. Cram a spud in the tail pipe and go for a drive to prove this to one's self, lol. Our trucks employ a MAF sensor instead of a MAP and fuel trim is determined by air coming IN - which is proportional to air going OUT. The PCM will compensate for reduced air flow just as if you had reduced throttle position and all that will happen is (noticeably) reduced power / revs capability. This condition can be inexpensively tested for by removing upstream O2s and go for a (noisy) test drive.
I will readily admit I do not know much about the free version o Torque, but I'm thinking it is of little consequence on a bricked phone
. Anyhow -- its not of huge consequence anyhow at $4.95 for the paid version. And what is massively important on ANY SCANNER a person chooses is for it to have the ability to customize its OBDII query parameters. I have well learned that there are only about 20 parameters covering Federally mandated emissions parameters that are 'common' to all vehicle makes and models. Beyond that - regrettably - PID assignments are totally helter skelter. Even like models of the PowerStroke and the 5.4 use two separate series of parameter assignments for numerous systems. A scanner that will work on one, won't read those systems on the other - unless the query parameters can be customized. That's how the manufacturers tried to 'lock' their own market for the IDS system for their stealerships!
I will readily admit I do not know much about the free version o Torque, but I'm thinking it is of little consequence on a bricked phone
. Anyhow -- its not of huge consequence anyhow at $4.95 for the paid version. And what is massively important on ANY SCANNER a person chooses is for it to have the ability to customize its OBDII query parameters. I have well learned that there are only about 20 parameters covering Federally mandated emissions parameters that are 'common' to all vehicle makes and models. Beyond that - regrettably - PID assignments are totally helter skelter. Even like models of the PowerStroke and the 5.4 use two separate series of parameter assignments for numerous systems. A scanner that will work on one, won't read those systems on the other - unless the query parameters can be customized. That's how the manufacturers tried to 'lock' their own market for the IDS system for their stealerships!
03-15-2017, 12:50 PM
#42
Monks
Thread Starter
Well, the new phone is on the way, hopefully I'll get it before the weekend. If need be, I'll get the paid version and monitor the mode 6 data to see if I get any sort of misfires. I'll report back with my findings. Thanks!!!!
03-16-2017, 05:47 PM
#43
If you had a flashing light then the truck would store a code even if the light was no longer on. In addition, a mechanic with a better scan tool can tell you exactly where the problem is.
Your issue sounds pretty common for these trucks. You have a low rpm, high load miss. If you have already done the plugs with Motorcraft plugs in recent years I would just order and replace all the boots and springs. It is a relatively simple good and cheap and should alleviate your issue. Be sure to clean all contacts points very well and use dielectric grease to protect the new parts from moisture.
Your issue sounds pretty common for these trucks. You have a low rpm, high load miss. If you have already done the plugs with Motorcraft plugs in recent years I would just order and replace all the boots and springs. It is a relatively simple good and cheap and should alleviate your issue. Be sure to clean all contacts points very well and use dielectric grease to protect the new parts from moisture.
So took the day off today to work on my truck so I can pass inspection since my tags been out. Went to the muffler shop and got the catalytic converter on the passenger side swapped out to hopefully get rid of the P0420 code. ---tech told me the cat was on its way to getting clogged. Went to Autozone and bought the house brand carb cleaner and Permatex dielectric grease. While I was there, got my truck checked out for fault codes. Result: 0 codes! Got back to the house and began working on the COPs. This is what i did.
1. Using my air compressor, connected an air line to blew out any debris on top of the engine before removing anything.
2. Removed 1 COP at a time (Started on the passenger side front to back). Did NOT remove the spark plugs.
3. Using the airline, blew out the cylinder with the spark plug in tact.
4. Sprayed carb cleaner in the cylinder. Let it sit in there for about a minute, then blew out the cylinder again. Used a rag to clean the cylinder again, then blew it out again using the airline.
5. Removed the boot and spring, visually inspected it to make sure it looked good. Half of them had a lot of dirt and debris in it. Used carb cleaner to clean the boot and spring, dried it, and fit it back together. Put some dielectric grease and put the COP back in place.
Drove it around the block a few times, felt smoooooth. Drove it 30mi and back - no issues. It even got ride of the misfires from 40-60 under light acceleration. Slammed in it from 30mph, man did it regain some power! Plus, it helps that I have a shift kit on it, can really feel the difference!
Funny thing is that took it to get it inspected and failed due to the catalyst and evaporated system not ready. Drove it 90 more miles around the city and passed inspection. SOO HAPPY!!
Last edited by ro87f150; 03-16-2017 at 05:51 PM.
03-16-2017, 05:51 PM
#44
Moderator
You will be getting new boots soon. That carb cleaner is going to probably eat and dry out (leading to cracks) those boots.
03-16-2017, 06:01 PM
#45
No biggie. Took me less than 2hrs to clean all of them. Shouldn't be a problem if I have to change those that dried out. They're still the original ones (except for 1)
03-16-2017, 06:24 PM
#46
Moderator
They are easy and cheap to do. That's why I always suggest them first when a misfire is present.
03-17-2017, 09:37 AM
#47
Monks
Thread Starter
I replaced my boots when I did my plugs this last weekend, so hopefully there are no issues there. I should be getting my new phone today or tomorrow and I'll run a log to see if I get any misses, even minor ones, when I connect up to Torque.
03-17-2017, 04:22 PM
#48
Finally got my 5.4 running just waiting on the p1000 code to clear for inspection purposes. After a short ride it blew the crappy welds apart when someone put aftermarket catalytic converters on it. Just my luck
03-18-2017, 01:04 PM
#49
So my 5.4 developed an exhaust leak, come to find out the new cats someone installed were brazed on, and they did a terrible job at that. I was quoted $1700 bucks for all four cats including the y pipe! Anyone know if thats the going price!?