Firstly I just want to say thanks to all the contributors on this site and anyone who responds. This site has helped me become proficient in fixing my truck and others as well


So I have a 97 Eddie Bauer expedition i got with 300k miles on it a while back. Wasn't running great so around 307k i did the plugs(bosch),coils(ebay), wires(pepboys?),intake gaskets, and shocks. This was before I discovered this site and realized I should have done motorcraft or autolite platinum. I ran great for a while and then ended up having the broken PCV elbow at the back and got it running good again. Now at 320K its not running great again and i got 0306 code and replaced coil(ebay again) and plug with autolite plat(old plug was carbon colored and had icicle type thing building at the gap). Though its not misfiring as bad it now has a light more consistent misfire.
I thinking about replacing all plugs with motorcraft and getting some better coils(recommend cheap ones?)
Also I noticed mechanic who did old work didn't use dielectric grease so I may just need to grease the boots and get the new plugs.

#2 Just this morning i noticed an intermittent clanking sound coming from my drivetrain underneath only at low speeds when i let off the gas pedal. Its doesn't sound load bearing like U-joints or mounts. It sounds more metallic

Love the ole beast but sometimes I just want to go buy a new one. Anyways any input would be appreciated.

 

Per the experts on this site, the coils need to be either Visteon or OEM. I heard you may not be able to get Visteon any more, but haven't searched in while. The other brands tend to be not as reliable as the ones mentioned and can cause problems.

And it's going to be hard to diagnose the clanking. You have to get under there and see what is going on. Check the u-joints anyway and maybe check the swaybar links as well. Others may have other suggestions.

 

Go ahead and replace all plugs with Motorcraft platinum if you are going through the trouble to do them. I ran iridium Mc plugs in my black truck for a long time but plats would have been better. Please don't use autolite in these engines.

I wouldn't worry about the coils until you change the plugs. Since your engine is pre-cop Bosch coils aren't going to hurt anything.

Can you be a little more specific about the noise? A video would be awesome if you could just record the sound.

 

bosch plugs. The coils were $45 on ebay

the noise sounds like exhaust mani leak but only happens when you let off gas and is slighly more metallic instead of air.

So i have 7 bosch plugs and one autolite and there is vibration amd slight misfire at really low rpm. Other than that ots running good

 

The icicle thing is probably ash from oil consumption. Hard to tell without a picture though.

 

 

UPDATE: So I have the weird noise pinpointed to the driver side cat, right under my seat. It pops along with the speed of the engine but not when I brake. Could this be why my truck is running rough at low RPM?

I'm still going to change the plugs but at 320K I can imagine the cats need replacing even if the previous owner already replaced them way back when.

As soon as I get the engine purring again I was thinking about getting this suspension kit with greasable nipples off of ebay. Anyone have experience with this brand?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-F150-4x...dVYmm~&vxp=mtr

 

I just replaced all 4 oxygen sensors 6 months ago and the truck was running lean and misfiring for a while before I figured out the PCV valve elbow so I'm sure the cats have gotten fouled up. The guy I bought it from was having all the same problems so who knows how long it was driven like that. Just weird that days after I put in the autolite plug and replace the DPFE that it finally starts making noise. I've also noticed water coming out of my exhaust when i let it warm up thepast few mornings.

 

You have the worst possible plugs in that engine and it sounds like you used the worst possible coils which has most likley destroyed your converter. Also, looks like your on your way to purchasing inferior front end parts. Do you not like your truck or just love doing things over again? You can only be so cheap and get away with it. I suggest you keep asking as you did about front end parts, since your not really into researching much. Wouldn't want you to be your trucks worst enemy or anything like that lol.

Anyway I'd straighten your ignition system out first so it at least has a chance to run correctly, then see what needs replacing on the front end.

 

Yeah thats my plan. I'm really busy so theres only so much I can research and I've researched plenty. And I'm pretty sure the previous owner not fixing the PCV valve elbow and letting the truck run lean for a year or 2 was what did the converter in. Me fixing the sensors and DPFE only helped my situation but its too late.
Why are Bosch the worst possible plugs? The Bosch plugs ran great with those ebay coils for a while but I"m afraid they need replacing.(this was before I knew that it needed motorcraft). Honestly my #7 coil is OEM motorcraft, possibly original.
And why would the ignition ruin the cat? Wouldn't that be due to the bad O2 sensors and failed EGR feedback sensor. Not to mention I'm pretty sure the hoses were backwards before I replaced the DPFE(probably when my mechanic did the intake gaskets)

I know those suspension parts are cheap but they claim to be compared to Moog. You think they are that bad? I just figured they were overstock items. Maybe I'll just get Moog lower ball joints and sway bar links. Is there a known culprit to that squeaky sound other than lower ball joint? **** is so annoying and I'm sick of greasing the joints with a needle.