Can't a guy cross a river without causing engine misfire?

First time I soaked the engine (~8" flooded street) caused cylinder 1 to misfire- didn't work to just dry the engine out, replace the plugs or boot. No, had to replace the coil.

Recently did about the same thing- now cylinder 5 is still missing a couple days later.

I did put a fair amount of dielectric grease on the boots and plugs with I replaced them.

Has anyone done any work to protect the engine/electrical from water spray?

'98 Expedition
5.4l 4x4

if the other coils are original ,chances are they will all start to misfire
Ford had a problem with the coils and have revised them from the original.
They are much better but still not great . If you are replacing them you should replace them with Ford in order to get the updated ones :shakehead

I guess I just don't understand- what's the water doing to them? They look completely sealed from water intrusion...

Water can seep under the lip of the boot and ause a short through the side of the boot. It can also short the electrical connection and cause the coil to fail.

When you get water this high wouldn't it be cheaper to stay home than go to work and pay for repairs.

Funny thing is when I had to cross a real river while doing some back country driving in Utah, I had no problems cause I took it slow.

Guess I just didn't expect a "Ford Tough!" engine to behave like a faint girl caught in the rain. "oh! I'll just melt!"

Anyway, lesson learned.