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  #1  
Old 05-24-2010, 02:30 AM
Chris Chris is offline
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Default So what can cause this?

I've changed my spark plugs, got brand new ones in. I am pretty sure the gap is all set right, and I am almost certain the wires are fine. However I have been having a crazy issue here lately. It all started right after I put my plugs in and ran the can of Motorcraft PM3 Carb cleaner through the throttle body neck as instructed by Ford. What happens is when I go to get on it my truck begins to spit and sputter, and act like its trying to cut out, the motor will rev up and make plenty of noise, but have hardly no get up and go, and often times I've went to pull out on the parkway which is 70 MPH, and get up to speed and it will literally begin to spit and pop and act like its blowing shit out. My buddy was behind me tonight and he told me it smelt like a big can of ass just coming straight out of my truck. It seems to go away and come back. My engine light flashes while it does it... and now my engine light is staying on, as of tonight.

I did go through some high water, but I don't recall the issue being around back then at all. What could cause this? I know that when I mud any of my other vehicles the motor stays clean on them, but this truck seems to get fility, and the air box always gets dirty, but again I've never had this issue before so I doubt thats whats causing it, plus I did clean all that stuff out, and its still doing it. I ran seafoam through it, and some stp fuel treatment in the gas tank, and it seemed to fix the issue for a bit. My buddy told me it could be the CAT's stopped up, but honestly that would make it miss like that? It comes and goes, and tonight once it finally went away I smoked his Pontiac Grand Am GT 2 times in a row, and then boom it started doing it again.

The last time before I seafoamed it, and thought it was fixed I had autozone run a check on the engine code, and they said it was cylinder 3 mis firing, but it went away right there in the parking lot and was gone the entire day, and the next came back which is when I bought stp fuel treatment, and ran seafoam through the brake vacuum line, and it cleared it right up. In fact the truck ran like it never had before. I am at a loss what to do here. I really don't like to run up to repair shops and pay out my hard earned cash for some idiot to give me what he "thinks it is"... I know someone here can throw some ideas out there. If you need more info please post. Its the 04 ranger in my sig.
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White 2004 Ford Ranger XL, Auto, 4.0 SOHC, 4x4 Base Model, 16" Explorer Rims. 3.73 Gears, No muffler(Sold)
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  #2  
Old 05-24-2010, 02:41 AM
87bullsnkranger 87bullsnkranger is offline
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Wink Re: So what can cause this?

man it could really be that cat vert is stopped up especially keep dumping cheap adatives in it for a fast fix n probably cheap gas think when last time u changed exhaust n muffler,n a mechanic freind said you could have cracked exaust intakes n lucky it even runs.
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  #3  
Old 05-24-2010, 03:30 AM
rwenzing rwenzing is offline
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Default Re: So what can cause this?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris View Post
It all started right after I put my plugs in.... autozone run a check on the engine code, and they said it was cylinder 3 mis firing....
If I had this scenario, I would start at cylinder #3 and look for a loose/damaged plug wire or, more likely, a cracked spark plug insulator.
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  #4  
Old 05-24-2010, 07:02 AM
Johnbaum13 Johnbaum13 is offline
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Default Re: So what can cause this?

You know, you're supposed to run seafoam and the Ford cleaner through before you change the plugs, else it will foul them up, right?

Still, it the code says misfire on #3, go look at #3. If it was misfiring on multiple cylinders, it would have said "multiple cylinder misfire". Trust the computer to tell you whats going wrong.
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  #5  
Old 05-24-2010, 10:42 AM
Chris Chris is offline
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Default Re: So what can cause this?

I did the motorcraft before I changed the plugs. It is possible that seafoam can foul the plugs, but again not likely that this is the cause.

Cylinder 3 is the worst damn cylinder to look at it, its the one all the way in the back on the passenger side.. Inner Fender, and tire both have to come off to mess with it. I put the plugs in and it was fine, it didn't seem to be miss firing then. What can cause it to come and go though? I mean when my Expedition had this problem and it was a cylinder miss firing, it missed all the time, not a little here, and a little there, and not at certain speeds it missed all the time. This is going away and coming back at different intervals...

I can see the spark plug insulator, and its intact.
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2004 Ford F150 Automatic FX4 SuperCrew 5.4L 3V Triton V8, No Muffler, true dual straight pipes, 3.73 Gears, 18" rims with Wrangler A/T's
White 2004 Ford Ranger XL, Auto, 4.0 SOHC, 4x4 Base Model, 16" Explorer Rims. 3.73 Gears, No muffler(Sold)
White 1997 Ford Expedition XLT 3inch Suspension lift, 38 Firestone M/T's 98 4.6L Police Interceptor high flow injectors, Super 44, brand new rebuilt transmission, with 3.73 gears(Not mine no more)
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  #6  
Old 05-24-2010, 11:58 AM
Chris Chris is offline
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Default Re: So what can cause this?

Alright sorry for the double post but I went to Advanced Auto today and found out that Cylinder 3 is no longer missing, rather now my truck is saying "System Bank 1 To Lean", and "System Bank 2 To Lean", or something of that nature. What does that mean, and how can I fix it.
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2004 Ford F150 Automatic FX4 SuperCrew 5.4L 3V Triton V8, No Muffler, true dual straight pipes, 3.73 Gears, 18" rims with Wrangler A/T's
White 2004 Ford Ranger XL, Auto, 4.0 SOHC, 4x4 Base Model, 16" Explorer Rims. 3.73 Gears, No muffler(Sold)
White 1997 Ford Expedition XLT 3inch Suspension lift, 38 Firestone M/T's 98 4.6L Police Interceptor high flow injectors, Super 44, brand new rebuilt transmission, with 3.73 gears(Not mine no more)
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  #7  
Old 05-24-2010, 12:02 PM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
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Default Re: So what can cause this?

Those codes are usually a vacuum line leak. Check the vac hoses to the top rear of the engine nehind the intake manifold. Bet something is disconnected or broken.
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  #8  
Old 05-24-2010, 01:38 PM
Chris Chris is offline
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Default Re: So what can cause this?

No vacuum leak that I can see.... Whats the next thing to check?
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2004 Ford F150 Automatic FX4 SuperCrew 5.4L 3V Triton V8, No Muffler, true dual straight pipes, 3.73 Gears, 18" rims with Wrangler A/T's
White 2004 Ford Ranger XL, Auto, 4.0 SOHC, 4x4 Base Model, 16" Explorer Rims. 3.73 Gears, No muffler(Sold)
White 1997 Ford Expedition XLT 3inch Suspension lift, 38 Firestone M/T's 98 4.6L Police Interceptor high flow injectors, Super 44, brand new rebuilt transmission, with 3.73 gears(Not mine no more)
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  #9  
Old 05-24-2010, 02:21 PM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
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Default Re: So what can cause this?

How are you "seeing" there is no vacuum leak?
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  #10  
Old 05-24-2010, 03:29 PM
mickblock mickblock is offline
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Default Re: So what can cause this?

simple stuff: Are you using direct replacement plugs? I've heard allot of mechanics say that the aftermarket plugs can cause trouble on modern engines. Also another simple thing is to make sure the plug wires aren't crossing.

Although the codes do indicate that the suggestion to check and recheck for vacuum leaks is valid. You did clean your TB so...
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  #11  
Old 05-24-2010, 07:07 PM
Chris Chris is offline
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Default Re: So what can cause this?

Motorcraft plugs, and they are a bit different but they are speced for the truck... As for vacuum leaks. I looked and no lines were disconnected. There signs of dry rot, or broken vacuum lines. I haven't actually tested them no.

As for the TB yes I did clean it, with Motorcraft PM3 Carb cleaner, and I ran seafoam through my brake booster vacuum line. It helped for a bit, but the problem came back. Tonight I drove it, and the issue was there for a bit, and went away. It will hesitate every now and then upon acceleration, specifically heavy acceleration, when its not hesitating its got full power, and it runs great. I've checked the wires none crossing at all that I can see visually. I never touched the wires to begin with, however the truck is no longer reporting a miss fire, its reporting its running to lean on banks 1 and 2. The engine light is remaining on. The truck seems to idle fine, with maybe a little hesitation when its started (every now and then). Again this problem seems to be more present at heavy acceleration, but that can also be just me not paying attention to it at low speeds as well.

I bought some MAF cleaner, and took the MAF off and literally sprayed it at every angle, and it wasn't dirty to me, but I've heard before that the oil off the air filter can cause issues to.

Any other ideas?
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2004 Ford F150 Automatic FX4 SuperCrew 5.4L 3V Triton V8, No Muffler, true dual straight pipes, 3.73 Gears, 18" rims with Wrangler A/T's
White 2004 Ford Ranger XL, Auto, 4.0 SOHC, 4x4 Base Model, 16" Explorer Rims. 3.73 Gears, No muffler(Sold)
White 1997 Ford Expedition XLT 3inch Suspension lift, 38 Firestone M/T's 98 4.6L Police Interceptor high flow injectors, Super 44, brand new rebuilt transmission, with 3.73 gears(Not mine no more)
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  #12  
Old 05-24-2010, 07:27 PM
joldtown joldtown is offline
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Default Re: So what can cause this?

Hang on for a few minutes I'm trying to find a link for you.
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  #13  
Old 05-24-2010, 07:34 PM
Chris Chris is offline
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Default Re: So what can cause this?

Quote:
Originally Posted by joldtown View Post
Hang on for a few minutes I'm trying to find a link for you.
roger
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2004 Ford F150 Automatic FX4 SuperCrew 5.4L 3V Triton V8, No Muffler, true dual straight pipes, 3.73 Gears, 18" rims with Wrangler A/T's
White 2004 Ford Ranger XL, Auto, 4.0 SOHC, 4x4 Base Model, 16" Explorer Rims. 3.73 Gears, No muffler(Sold)
White 1997 Ford Expedition XLT 3inch Suspension lift, 38 Firestone M/T's 98 4.6L Police Interceptor high flow injectors, Super 44, brand new rebuilt transmission, with 3.73 gears(Not mine no more)
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  #14  
Old 05-24-2010, 07:40 PM
joldtown joldtown is offline
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Default Re: So what can cause this?

Can't find the link, so I'll try my best to explain.
Standing at the front of the engine bay in between the TB and the intake manifold there is a vac. line that runs in front of the intake around to the L side of the intake to the backside of the engine. Sorry I can't name the part. Now where this vac line makes its RH turn to run to the back of the engine there is a 90* rubber elbow that is notorious for splitting along its seam lines. Check this rubber elbow.

""As for the TB yes I did clean it, with Motorcraft PM3 Carb cleaner, and I ran seafoam through my brake booster vacuum line. It helped for a bit, but the problem came back.""

Seafoam is not to be used in the manner that your using it. According to the quote, you're still adding Seafoam, right? Seafoam removes the carbon build up and dumps it back into the oil. By doing this you're killing the viscosity of the oil. It sounds like you're using it like a "gas treatment" almost, and that is not it's intended use.
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'02 XLT ext. cab 4.0 4x4 Off Road
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Only a real man can pimp DWB

Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnbaum13
What really impresses us is power, originality within reason, and a nice clean rig that makes us say "damn!"
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranger Sport
ew, don't touch me smakes
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  #15  
Old 05-24-2010, 07:42 PM
joldtown joldtown is offline
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Default Re: So what can cause this?

I'm still trying to find a pic to that part.
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'02 XLT ext. cab 4.0 4x4 Off Road
Usual mods
Unusual color
Only a real man can pimp DWB

Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnbaum13
What really impresses us is power, originality within reason, and a nice clean rig that makes us say "damn!"
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranger Sport
ew, don't touch me smakes
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