Need some advice.

[Mike828]

What's up guys, yes I'm a noob and no expert, but need some friendly advice and thanks in advance..

I have a 2000 4.0 OHV 4x4 auto with 106,xxx and it started misfiring in #3 cylinder. Pulled the plug which had 6,000 mile aprox. and it's fouled. Put in a old from the last swap and it ran fine for a day and now I feel it missing again so I put in a non fouler and a new plug, not much better.

Going to check the compression on #3 this afternoon and will update.

What would you do?
It has a 5R55E trans.
Is a 4.0 sohc an easy swap? What would I need?

Time is somewhat critical in that I need this truck running asap, it's a work truck that tows 2000lbs daily and reliability is somewhat important too.
It would be great if I could use the truck until November and then do any major work but I don't see it happening.
And I'm by no means a rich man but can throw a couple dollars at it.

Any advice?

 

[Blueranger99]

when was the last time the plugwires were changed. some people change them like every year. ford recommends you change them every 70,000 miles. when my truck starts missin, i know i need to change my plugs and wires. if that isnt it, you could need a new coil pack.

 

[UrbanRedneckKid]

1. If you didn't change the wires, change them. Bad wires can foul plugs.
2. Make sure you have a good spark from the coil. Weak spark fouls plugs.

Start with that. Then do a compression test.

 

[Mike828]

I put new wires on once it started and did a compression test and it's good.

I'm getting spark, but I think I still need to get it on a diagnostic machine because the coil could be going out sporadically right?

The miss was pretty violent, the whole truck was shaking, when I was at about 1/8 of a tank and accelerating, I topped it off and it still did it on the way home and that's when I swapped the wires and the one plug and it ran fine. It started missing, but not violently, the next evening (used it all day, ran fine) when I was down to about 1/3 of a tank of gas.
Could I have gotten bad gas that was laying at the bottom of my tank?
If I got bad gas wouldn't my other plugs and cylinders have issues?
I put a bottle of Chevron fuel injector cleaner in it today.

 

[Big Jim M]

Howdy Mike

Forget about "bad gas"... If one cylinder will burn it all of them will!!
Sounds to me at first guess you have a bad coil, bad wire or useless spark plugs.. Do you have the factory plugs or some other OFF-BRAND sparks in there?
Make sure you have the correct plugs, good wires and good coil and you should be Ok.
If after assuring yourself them are all good then start worring about other possible problems.
Big JIm

 

[Mike828]

Autolite double platinums except I wound up getting an NGK platinum to replace the one that fouled, it was all they had.
Duralast wires that I just put on.
Coil is $80 that I'd rather not waste but I guess it's the next cheapest step right?

 

[Big Jim M]

Autolite double platinums except I wound up getting an NGK platinum to replace the one that fouled, it was all they had.
Duralast wires that I just put on.
Coil is $80 that I'd rather not waste but I guess it's the next cheapest step right?

I think before purchaseing a new coil I would be swapping the plug in question and also it's wire to another cylinder and see what happens then.
HAve you observed the cap both inside and out for wear on that particular wire outlet?
Big JIm

 

[Mike828]

Wires (new and old) both look fine and just like the other five, switched the wire with #2 and no change.
Pulled the plug and it looked OK, a little oil on the threads.

I think I'm going to Advance for a new coil, can't hurt.

 

[96Greenster]

I hate stories with no ending....

 

[Mike828]

I hate stories with no ending....

Sorry, work was kicking my a**.

It was the lower intake gasket. Started fouling #5 too, saw the old gasket, bad.
Got a shop to fix it and 3 weeks later it was leaking oil from the back of the intake. Made sure the bolts were torqued right but didn't help so since I'm done working for the year I'm doing the intake/valve cover gaskets myself.

Unfortunately I have to do the heater core/dash removal too, missing my '94 3.0 that had 300,000 miles.



Haven't done a search yet but is there a 'best heater core that never fails'???

 

[Angie]

Haven't done a search yet but is there a 'best heater core that never fails'???

You are driving 2000? and wondering about a new heater core? in a ranger? WOW... my take on ford heaters are they work and they really work... drive (or owned 4 ) older ones 90-92 and to this day NONE have had any issues with the heaters. my advice go to a pick a part. yank and grag. bust and pay. and see if an older one will work and try that. I bet you can get one pretty cheap, and they seem to last great.

 

[Angie]

Just thought of something... you saying you can't get heat from your truck? with the other probs you mentioned... is your truck overheating on you? that could possibly give you no heat from heater.