Running Rough
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5 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 137
Likes: 2
Running Rough
2002 with a 4.6l V8
For the last six or seven months my truck has been a gutless wonder. It shudders at high RPM (4000) or while passing and has a tough time really getting anywhere. There is also a ticking noise coming from somewhere in the engine compartment.
It finally threw a code last week which points to a misfire in cylinder 8.
The truck has 130k on it, I've had it for two years and put about 10k on it. I got the truck from a dealer but have no idea if the plugs have ever been done- so one of my projects for a while has been to get the plugs done. I still plan on doing them this weekend- but it's going to be something like $500 for a shop to do it (I do not have the space, tools, or time). I know to ask them to check the coils while they have the truck apart- is there anything else this could be?
For the last six or seven months my truck has been a gutless wonder. It shudders at high RPM (4000) or while passing and has a tough time really getting anywhere. There is also a ticking noise coming from somewhere in the engine compartment.
It finally threw a code last week which points to a misfire in cylinder 8.
The truck has 130k on it, I've had it for two years and put about 10k on it. I got the truck from a dealer but have no idea if the plugs have ever been done- so one of my projects for a while has been to get the plugs done. I still plan on doing them this weekend- but it's going to be something like $500 for a shop to do it (I do not have the space, tools, or time). I know to ask them to check the coils while they have the truck apart- is there anything else this could be?
Thread Starter
5 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 137
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Just duct tape it!
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Central OR
I would be very cautious with that right now... If you have a misfire AND you are hearing a ticking up there, you could be seconds away from a spark plug blowing out the head. With that many miles and the plugs probably not changed, I would be taking it in right away if you wont do it yourself. 
Usually from what I have read, if its ticking bad, its probably already done the damage to the threads and will either need a new head or a timesert drilled/tapped into it. I personally know 2 people that have had blowouts. Its a pretty common thing. The factory spec for the plugs is 14/ft# and they like to back out and blow with that. 28/ft# is recommended but not sure if dealers are doing that. Thats just what WE do to prevent it.
I hope its just a coil bad (which the high rpm shudder would seem to point to) and something else ticking. Everyone says they hear "tick, tick, tick, BOOM" when the plug goes.
Usually from what I have read, if its ticking bad, its probably already done the damage to the threads and will either need a new head or a timesert drilled/tapped into it. I personally know 2 people that have had blowouts. Its a pretty common thing. The factory spec for the plugs is 14/ft# and they like to back out and blow with that. 28/ft# is recommended but not sure if dealers are doing that. Thats just what WE do to prevent it.
I hope its just a coil bad (which the high rpm shudder would seem to point to) and something else ticking. Everyone says they hear "tick, tick, tick, BOOM" when the plug goes.
Thread Starter
5 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 137
Likes: 2
I would be very cautious with that right now... If you have a misfire AND you are hearing a ticking up there, you could be seconds away from a spark plug blowing out the head. With that many miles and the plugs probably not changed, I would be taking it in right away if you wont do it yourself.
Usually from what I have read, if its ticking bad, its probably already done the damage to the threads and will either need a new head or a timesert drilled/tapped into it. I personally know 2 people that have had blowouts. Its a pretty common thing. The factory spec for the plugs is 14/ft# and they like to back out and blow with that. 28/ft# is recommended but not sure if dealers are doing that. Thats just what WE do to prevent it.
I hope its just a coil bad (which the high rpm shudder would seem to point to) and something else ticking. Everyone says they hear "tick, tick, tick, BOOM" when the plug goes.
Usually from what I have read, if its ticking bad, its probably already done the damage to the threads and will either need a new head or a timesert drilled/tapped into it. I personally know 2 people that have had blowouts. Its a pretty common thing. The factory spec for the plugs is 14/ft# and they like to back out and blow with that. 28/ft# is recommended but not sure if dealers are doing that. Thats just what WE do to prevent it.
I hope its just a coil bad (which the high rpm shudder would seem to point to) and something else ticking. Everyone says they hear "tick, tick, tick, BOOM" when the plug goes.
Right now I'm driving the towncar though instead of the truck until I can get the truck in. It's been a hell of a week not driving the truck but I don't want to get stranded, have to pay for a tow bill, and then have to do the work anyway.
The real fun is going to be when the towncar motor goes up in flames, too.