Spark plug change out
11-11-2009, 09:30 PM
#1
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Spark plug change out
Changed my spark plugs on my 2007 5.4L 3V and now the truck runs really rough. Anyone have any suggestions on what's going on? I double checked all connections and everything looks fine??? Please help.
11-12-2009, 07:28 AM
#2
Moderator (Ret.)
Could one of the coils be the culprit? When removing the spark plug coil/wires from the plugs, it's possible you broke the inner connection between the coil pack and spark plug boot.
11-12-2009, 08:27 AM
#3
Senior Member
Incorrect gap on the plugs can also do this. Even pre-gapped plugs should be checked. I hate to say it, but you probably need to pull each one out and check it.
11-12-2009, 09:31 AM
#4
Tell me how you would go about regapping this kind of plug:
Are you getting a CEL? Any codes? What brand of plugs did you use?
Are you getting a CEL? Any codes? What brand of plugs did you use?
Last edited by Keeblerz28; 11-12-2009 at 09:50 AM.
11-12-2009, 11:07 PM
#5
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I'v seen one of these plugs get cracked from an improper socket..Did you hear a crunching or cracking noise when you tightened the plugs? Or damaged the insulation on the coil pack and now its shorting to ground?
Without the proper equipment to bring up a spark pattern or cylinder balance to guide you to the proper cylinder I think you might have to pull off all the coil packs and do a visual inspection and check the plugs for cracks.
I quess in theory you could disconnect an injector one at a time which would cause a miss COMBINED with the miss you have now.And in theory it would be less noticable when you get to the cylinder thats already missing..I would think.
Example..if right now your rough running is caused by a problem in..lets say #4 cylinder.If you pull the injector plug off cylinder 1 it would miss from 1 and 4..if you pull it off 2 it would miss from 2 and 4.But when you get to 4 all you would have is the miss you already have..it shouldn't get worse since its already missing.When you find that cylinder pull the pack and plug and do a fine tooth inspection.Also to prevent any addition damage you should pull the harness connector off and plug in a noide light..then start the truck and record the results,and then move to the next cylinder.Noide lights are cheap and prevent causing any addition problems that could be caused by a voltage spike.Although if you pull the harness connector off with the engine off and then start it there should be no voltage spike.By why take a chance.
Without the proper equipment to bring up a spark pattern or cylinder balance to guide you to the proper cylinder I think you might have to pull off all the coil packs and do a visual inspection and check the plugs for cracks.
I quess in theory you could disconnect an injector one at a time which would cause a miss COMBINED with the miss you have now.And in theory it would be less noticable when you get to the cylinder thats already missing..I would think.
Example..if right now your rough running is caused by a problem in..lets say #4 cylinder.If you pull the injector plug off cylinder 1 it would miss from 1 and 4..if you pull it off 2 it would miss from 2 and 4.But when you get to 4 all you would have is the miss you already have..it shouldn't get worse since its already missing.When you find that cylinder pull the pack and plug and do a fine tooth inspection.Also to prevent any addition damage you should pull the harness connector off and plug in a noide light..then start the truck and record the results,and then move to the next cylinder.Noide lights are cheap and prevent causing any addition problems that could be caused by a voltage spike.Although if you pull the harness connector off with the engine off and then start it there should be no voltage spike.By why take a chance.
11-13-2009, 08:11 AM
#6
Moderator (Ret.)
I'v seen one of these plugs get cracked from an improper socket..Did you hear a crunching or cracking noise when you tightened the plugs? Or damaged the insulation on the coil pack and now its shorting to ground?
Without the proper equipment to bring up a spark pattern or cylinder balance to guide you to the proper cylinder I think you might have to pull off all the coil packs and do a visual inspection and check the plugs for cracks.
I quess in theory you could disconnect an injector one at a time which would cause a miss COMBINED with the miss you have now.And in theory it would be less noticable when you get to the cylinder thats already missing..I would think.
Example..if right now your rough running is caused by a problem in..lets say #4 cylinder.If you pull the injector plug off cylinder 1 it would miss from 1 and 4..if you pull it off 2 it would miss from 2 and 4.But when you get to 4 all you would have is the miss you already have..it shouldn't get worse since its already missing.When you find that cylinder pull the pack and plug and do a fine tooth inspection.Also to prevent any addition damage you should pull the harness connector off and plug in a noide light..then start the truck and record the results,and then move to the next cylinder.Noide lights are cheap and prevent causing any addition problems that could be caused by a voltage spike.Although if you pull the harness connector off with the engine off and then start it there should be no voltage spike.By why take a chance.
Without the proper equipment to bring up a spark pattern or cylinder balance to guide you to the proper cylinder I think you might have to pull off all the coil packs and do a visual inspection and check the plugs for cracks.
I quess in theory you could disconnect an injector one at a time which would cause a miss COMBINED with the miss you have now.And in theory it would be less noticable when you get to the cylinder thats already missing..I would think.
Example..if right now your rough running is caused by a problem in..lets say #4 cylinder.If you pull the injector plug off cylinder 1 it would miss from 1 and 4..if you pull it off 2 it would miss from 2 and 4.But when you get to 4 all you would have is the miss you already have..it shouldn't get worse since its already missing.When you find that cylinder pull the pack and plug and do a fine tooth inspection.Also to prevent any addition damage you should pull the harness connector off and plug in a noide light..then start the truck and record the results,and then move to the next cylinder.Noide lights are cheap and prevent causing any addition problems that could be caused by a voltage spike.Although if you pull the harness connector off with the engine off and then start it there should be no voltage spike.By why take a chance.
11-13-2009, 08:29 AM
#7
Senior Member
I know that I took for granted that the gap was right when I changed the plugs on my Exploder and it wasn't happy about that.
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11-13-2009, 09:18 AM
#8
Well FYI, thats what the plugs look like in our newer trucks
11-13-2009, 11:45 PM
#9
Had the same problem with my truck after having the plugs changed, it ran terrible.It ended up the mechanic who put the plugs in ended up cracking one of the plugs when installing it and didn't realize it. Now the truck runs better the it ever has
11-13-2009, 11:48 PM
#10
Additcted to my truc
Also to add... the trucks are very very picky about plugs. You should really only be using MotorCraft. People have had to take off Champion's and Autolite's after a few miles because the truck runs like crap. Not saying that is your problem, but just something to consider 