botched tune up

OK so I bought a 96 Explorer sport V6 4.0 4wd

I changed the spark plugs, air filter, changed oil, and topped off all the fluids.

I start the car up and it shakes pretty hard, has no power on acceleration, and was blowing out white smoke for about 10 mins (did not smell like gas, or oil)

I gapped all the spark plugs at .054 and all the wires are on the sparkplugs correctly. All wires were taken off one at a time to prevent getting the firing order mixed up. I did notice that the insulation on one spark plug wire is split. Could this make it arc?

When I changed to plugs on the passender side i had to moved around the intake and airfilter assembly, all vaccum lines and sensors are hooked back up correctly.

Anyone have any ideas?

What type of spark plugs did you use? If Bosch double, quad, etc. platinums, that could be a contributor.

Yes, plug wires with split insulation are overdue to be replaced. Yes, that plug wire, or any others that are that old but don't appear to be split, could be arcing and contributing to the issue.

You mentioned that you moved the air intake around. If you have unmetered air entering the intake, it could contribute to your symptoms. Unmetered air would be air that enters the system after the Mass AirFlow (MAF) sensor. Make sure the air intake hose is properly attached and the connections are snug.

You may want to inspect and describe the exhaust a bit better. Also, what is the ambient temperature where you live currently? Typically white exhaust would indicate water/coolant in the exhaust. If you live in a cold climate, the white exhaust may be normal and due to condensation in the exhaust. However, if you have coolant getting into the combustion chamber, that could cause the white exhaust as well. Does the exhaust have a sweet burning smell to it, or just smell like regular exhaust?

It does sound like you have a misfire, and you should definitely plan to replace the spark plug wires. As part of this tune up, did you also replace the fuel filter? You should also consider adding a bottle of fuel injector cleaner to the fuel tank as well.

-Rod

the problem (including exhaust) happend directly after I put in the plugs. It ran after the air filter change, and oil change with no problems what so ever. Fuel filter was replaced 3000 miles ago. Wires are fairly new, just the one that is split (not showing metal). The exhaust only blew smoke for 10 mins when I cranked it over after the plug change, but does not do it now. It smelled like exhaust usually smells, and its 60 degrees here.

I am using autolite double platnum, same as the ones I pulled out.

Sounds like the white exhaust was just due to condensation and not a problem.

However, if one of the spark plug wires is split, even though they are not very old, they are junk. Sounds like the wires are either cheap wires, or were not installed properly. Either way, they need to be replaced. From your description, you are probably experiencing a misfire. Spark plug wires can certainly cause a misfire. And, even if the wire was split before and ran fine, you've disconnected and moved the plug wires. Connections may have come loose that are not obvious, etc.

Spark plug wires are one of the items that I certainly suggest getting the best you can afford (up to OEM type). You may save a few $ short term by getting generic wires, but if they only last 1/3 as long as ones that are twice as expensive, you really haven't saved anything. The construction and materials of the spark plug wires make a big difference in their quality.

[stepping off my soap box]

-Rod

Just put in new wires. Ran good for 5 mins then started idling a little rough. Drove it and it drove sluggish and when I got up to 60 MPH it kicked into 5th gear and dropped to 2000 rpm and ran rough. Sounded like the engine was bogged down. I am thinking a sensor is messed up now.

I would try disconnecting the battery, the negative cable for a few minutes and reset
the computer and see what happens. It wouldn't hurt to clean the terminal will your waiting.

Dean

I would try disconnecting the battery, the negative cable for a few minutes and reset
the computer and see what happens. It wouldn't hurt to clean the terminal will your waiting.

Dean

I changed the battery terminals today when I got back from test driving it. No difference. there was alot of corrosion on the positive terminal

Can you tell if your fuel economy has decreased since the tune up? I don't know if you've driven it enough since to really determine if there was a change.

Using the vacuum diagram under the hood, trace all vacuum lines and make sure you didn't accidently knock one off or crack one in the process of changing out the spark plugs.

You may also want to check the EGR valve to see if by chance it's stuck partially open or unable to close completely. I'm kind-of grasping at straws here, I really expected the new plug wires to solve your problem.

-Rod

thanks for your help. i am going to take it to a mechanic, because I don't know what the heck is wrong with this thing. Good thing I only paid 1500 for it

Okay, good luck.

Please post back with results once you find out what the problem was.

-Rod

Before I took it to the mechanic I had an idea. I took each plug out one at a time and checked to make sure they were firing. Guess what? number 4 wasn't firing. Put in new ignition coil module and now it runs great.

Thanks for the follow-up.

Did you happen to notice if cylinder 4 was the same cylinder that had the plug wire with the split insulation? There may be a connection, or it may just be coincidence that the coil failed after replacing the spark plugs.

Either way, congratulations on fixing it!

-Rod

the one with the messed up wire was #2. IDK y the coil failed but I am just glad I can drive to work tomorrow