Third time around for P0304

kulwap · 07-12-2010, 09:43 PM

I have a 1996 Ranger with a 4.0L. I bought it with 115,000 miles on it on July 4 2009. I now have 136,000 miles on it. About 6 months after I got it it started running really rough and it threw a P0304 code. I replaced the #4 plug and it ran fine for about 4 months. It then threw a P0304 code again and I replaced all the plugs and the wires. Today (about 2 months later) it threw a P0304 code again. What's up - any ideas? I have seen a post about leaky head gaskets, but I am not losing coolant or for that matter oil. Is the next step to replace the plug again and add a new coil pack?

I don't understand why it continues to knock out the #4 plug...

fordwheelinman · 07-12-2010, 10:07 PM

injector......

kulwap · 07-12-2010, 10:11 PM

Just noticed I posted this to the 3.0L forum... Sorry.

What more can you say about the injector?

kulwap · 07-12-2010, 10:14 PM

If it is the injector, I imagine it would be a good idea to replace all of them at once. Correct. Any suggestions as to the best place to get them?

Still not sure why changing the plugs makes a difference and allows it to run fine for awhile.

mixwell · 07-15-2010, 05:21 PM

Must have jinxed myself reading this post yesterday because my cel light came on so I ran my tester and guess what ? P0304... I'm hoping I will have better luck and mine is just a spark plug but we'll see.

slvr00gt · 12-06-2010, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kulwap

I have a 1996 Ranger with a 4.0L. I bought it with 115,000 miles on it on July 4 2009. I now have 136,000 miles on it. About 6 months after I got it it started running really rough and it threw a P0304 code. I replaced the #4 plug and it ran fine for about 4 months. It then threw a P0304 code again and I replaced all the plugs and the wires. Today (about 2 months later) it threw a P0304 code again. What's up - any ideas? I have seen a post about leaky head gaskets, but I am not losing coolant or for that matter oil. Is the next step to replace the plug again and add a new coil pack?

I don't understand why it continues to knock out the #4 plug...

Did you figure out what your problem was?

I have exact same issue with spark plug in cylinder #4 dies every couple of months.

I didn't look closely at the plugs I replaced 8 months ago when engine was running rough. This time around, I took a closer look at a blown spark plug. Ceramic sleeve of the spark plug post is cracked with two hairline crack running down the sleeve. The tip of the sleeve is reddish in color . Spark plug from cylinder #5 looks like new: sleeve is perfectly white. P0304 was the only code I pulled

Here is the picture of the plug:
http://picasaweb.google.com/orodiono...IqM-u_j1aaoRA#

bilzy7 · 11-26-2011, 06:04 PM

I just bought a 1998 explorer sohc engine and within 30 miles it threw 2 codes at me. Thanks seller. I know they cleared the codes before I got it. Sob's. I only need a new 02 sensor and a fun time troubleshooting.
Hopefully tuneup and an oil change to castrol syntec 5w-30. I hate k&n filters that come on sale with oil change stuff. I just want a motorcraft filter. I try to stay with stock parts. Well see how my fun time goes with p0304 and p0153.

07-12-2010, 09:43 PM	#1
kulwap New Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Year: 1996 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 4.0L Class: 4x4 Posts: 12 Rep Power: 0 iTrader: (0)	Third time around for P0304 I have a 1996 Ranger with a 4.0L. I bought it with 115,000 miles on it on July 4 2009. I now have 136,000 miles on it. About 6 months after I got it it started running really rough and it threw a P0304 code. I replaced the #4 plug and it ran fine for about 4 months. It then threw a P0304 code again and I replaced all the plugs and the wires. Today (about 2 months later) it threw a P0304 code again. What's up - any ideas? I have seen a post about leaky head gaskets, but I am not losing coolant or for that matter oil. Is the next step to replace the plug again and add a new coil pack? I don't understand why it continues to knock out the #4 plug... __________________ 96 Ford Ranger Ext Cab 4x4 4.0L - www.therangerstation.com 96 GMC Suburban 6.5L Diesel - www.thedieselpage.com 00 Subaru Outback 2.5L - www.subaruoutback.org 03 VW Jetta 1.9L TDI - www.tdiclub.com
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07-12-2010, 10:07 PM	#2
fordwheelinman Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Year: 1994 Make: Ford Model: Explorer 4 door Engine: 4.0L Class: 4x4 Used For: DD Posts: 477 Rep Power: 12 iTrader: (2)	injector...... __________________ 1994 Explorer 4 door- 4L ohv, FACTORY M5OD, working electric 4x4, new DD, awaiting 31x10.50's on black stock wheels 1978 F150- 4x4, 400 V8, C6, 31x10.50x15 adventuro all terrains on stock steels-towing, 33x12.50x15 BFG All terrain on mag 15x8.5, custom in bed gooseneck, waiting on custom flatbed *1989 Bronco II-Converted 4x2 to 4x4 with 2.9 bored .060, ported/polished heads, port matched manifolds, a4ld, man 1350, D28/7.5 4.10's in both L/S in rear: waiting on motor
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07-12-2010, 10:11 PM	#3
kulwap New Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Year: 1996 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 4.0L Class: 4x4 Posts: 12 Rep Power: 0 iTrader: (0)	Just noticed I posted this to the 3.0L forum... Sorry. What more can you say about the injector? __________________ 96 Ford Ranger Ext Cab 4x4 4.0L - www.therangerstation.com 96 GMC Suburban 6.5L Diesel - www.thedieselpage.com 00 Subaru Outback 2.5L - www.subaruoutback.org 03 VW Jetta 1.9L TDI - www.tdiclub.com
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07-12-2010, 10:14 PM	#4
kulwap New Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Year: 1996 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 4.0L Class: 4x4 Posts: 12 Rep Power: 0 iTrader: (0)	If it is the injector, I imagine it would be a good idea to replace all of them at once. Correct. Any suggestions as to the best place to get them? Still not sure why changing the plugs makes a difference and allows it to run fine for awhile. __________________ 96 Ford Ranger Ext Cab 4x4 4.0L - www.therangerstation.com 96 GMC Suburban 6.5L Diesel - www.thedieselpage.com 00 Subaru Outback 2.5L - www.subaruoutback.org 03 VW Jetta 1.9L TDI - www.tdiclub.com
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11-26-2011, 06:04 PM	#7
bilzy7 Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lynn, MA Year: 1998 Make: Ford Model: Explorer Engine: 4.0 SOHC Class: 4x4 Used For: daily driving, fun in the snow Posts: 2,190 Rep Power: 14 iTrader: (0)	I just bought a 1998 explorer sohc engine and within 30 miles it threw 2 codes at me. Thanks seller. I know they cleared the codes before I got it. Sob's. I only need a new 02 sensor and a fun time troubleshooting. Hopefully tuneup and an oil change to castrol syntec 5w-30. I hate k&n filters that come on sale with oil change stuff. I just want a motorcraft filter. I try to stay with stock parts. Well see how my fun time goes with p0304 and p0153. __________________ 1999 Ranger 4.0 4x4 Off Road http://www.therangerstation.com/foru...d.php?t=103611 <--- My Slow Build
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07-15-2010, 05:21 PM	#5
mixwell Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Year: 2001 Make: Ford Model: Ranger 3.slooow Class: 2wd Used For: DD Posts: 225 Rep Power: 9 iTrader: (0)	Must have jinxed myself reading this post yesterday because my cel light came on so I ran my tester and guess what ? P0304... I'm hoping I will have better luck and mine is just a spark plug but we'll see.
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