4.6L miss

[goggles]

I have been having this problem for a few years and I hope I can explain the problem:

back in '01 the intake split and I had Ford replace it under the recall notice. Ever since then it has been having this miss that only changing the plugs or once in a while the plug wire fixes, for a short time.

For some reason when it starts missing if I change the plugs it cures the problem for about a month then it starts to miss again, slowly. It starts with a small 'bump' when putting the engine under load (going up hill, slow accelleration) but then it eventually gets worse (over the next monthor so) to the point when it misses running on flat ground or even at an idle. Change the plugs and all is well again.

I have a spare plug wire that I use for testing and the last time it started missing I replaced the plugs and also found a wire was bad. Reading info on the net I thought that the coil packs were bad and need replacing, so I've done that and there is little change. It seems to run a little smoother but still misses after a while.

I was using Bosch platinum but found they went bad very fast. I then switched to Autolite double platinum and found they last the longest.

I am at a total loss, this problem has lasted long enough. I hope someone has an answer for me.

Thanks.

[Figori]

I've had the same problem as well... I still haven't found a soultion. I really need to change my plugs and wires, and do a tranny flush... But I hope someone can help us.

[little Herbie]

I had the same problem for about a year, regardless of whether I used copper or platinum plugs. A friend of mine suggested that I use electrical grease (a lot) on the plug ends and inside the boots. He also suggested I put non-stick on the plug threads. I did so and have not had the problem since (about 4 months). Hope this helps.

[MN121995bird]

what it sounds like to me is that carbon is building up around the plug in the combustion chamber or along the plug and causing the plug to seem like it's going bad after awhile. THat would explain why Herbie had success with the electrical grease and non-stick on the plug threads. But this is just a guess, i have no proof or any backing.

[goggles]

If carbon has something to do with it, how can I fix it? How can I find out if this actually is the problem?
I've never had any carbon on the plug so I never thought that could be the problem.

[goggles]

anyone else have an answer?

[mav71]

I have had a similar experience. I have used several different wires, including Ford and nothing lasts more than two two years. I have always been able to find a carbon track on the plug or wires and it is random. It sucks but I just change the plugs and wires whenever it happens and that is that.

The grease on the wires does help. Anti seize on the plug threads is a must.

[Lubricant]

Example, a common problem with 1997 thunderbird w/4.6L v8 engine, the gasket on the manifold will leak causing antifreeze to build up in the chamber leading to the tip of the sparkplug (Where you insert the wire), or the heater core return will melt or snap off the manifold and cause a similar situation with antifreeze getting on/in the wires and them shorting out.
Ofcourse you may not be able to tell at first what is going on, but remove the plug that is misfiring and check it, also check the wire.
Try to isolate the cylender wire thats misfiring and be sure to elevate it away from all metal so it cannot "ground out".. Re-check for issue.

This may be a slow leak and corrode slowly, as to why it takes 2 years to re-occur. You should be changing these wires and plugs by then anyways.
ONLY GET MOTORCRAFT WIRES for this car, aftermarket, or "other" wires will not work properly.

[enigmabird]

I had my intake ('97 4.6) replaced 2-3 years ago, too. When I checked the Ford website, it said there were no recalls for my car. Do you have any info regarding the recall?

Also, my check engine light has been on for over a year. My mechanic said it was a 'random misfire' (he read the codes). He changed the plugs (I had done them myself not too long before, with Bosch, he said don't use them in Fords, they won't work right, use Autolite), and it didn't fix the problem. This was just prior to a smog check, and I probably just made the required run time for it to be done, as it passed like a champ. The light came back on when I was driving home!

Anyway, what all is likely to cause the misfire? I'm sure I need new plug wires, they're original (180k miles), but anything else?

BTW, anyone who's never changed the plugs in a 4.6, be sure to blow the spark plug wells out before you remove the plugs, they can get a LOT of dirt in them, especially if you live in the desert. (My left side had a lot of oil in the first two also, from me being sloppy when I had added oil).

[goggles]

There was no recall but it's on the books that if the intake splits then they will repair it no charge.

I can't help you with the engine light, mine doesn't come on unless the miss is really bad. It does go off after I change the plugs and after a few starts it resets it's self.

[flewthecoupe]

There was no recall but it's on the books that if the intake splits then they will repair it no charge.

Not true. This was under 97M91. Now, here is the difference: There are programs(campaigns) and there are recalls. Recalls are safety related and do not end. Programs are not safety related and have a time/mileage limitation comparable to a base warranty. If you receive a notice in the mail and the recall/program # has the letter "s" it is a safety recall. If it has other letters such as "m" or "t" it is a program and will expire. The difference is quite obvious. With a campaign, the failed part is not a safety issue and may not happen to all vehicles so will only be replaced on affected vehicles. A safety recall is in regards to a part(s) that may or may not fail on all vehicles but is a safety issue and will be replaced on all vehicles regardless.

Here is the generic letter sent out for the crown vics and lincolns taken from this link http://www.p71interceptor.com/recall...merletter.html Pay attention to the part in red.


Ford Motor Company
P.O. Box 1904
Dearborn, Michigan 48121
1-800-392-3673 http://www.ownerconnection.com/



01M02 March 2001

Your Vehicle Identification Number: 12345678901234567


Mr. John Sample
123 Main Street
Anywhere, USA 12345

Ford Motor Company is providing a no-charge service, Program Number 01M02, to owners of certain 1996 through 2001 Crown Victoria Police Interceptor vehicles, certain 1998 through 2001 Model Year Crown Victoria Taxis and certain 1998 through 2001 Lincoln Town Car Limousine and Livery Package vehicles with 4.6L SOHC engines. This service program provides additional coverage for the intake manifold.

Reason For This Additional Coverage Program A fatigue crack may develop in the composite intake manifold used on the 4.6L SOHC engines installed in your vehicle. This condition may result in engine coolant leakage, which, if not serviced, may cause engine overheating. Complete loss of coolant may result in engine damage or engine failure.


What Ford Motor Company and your dealer will do... If the engine of your car should develop a coolant leak at the intake manifold crossover coolant passage, located directly behind the alternator, your dealer will verify the condition. If the coolant leakage is from the location described above, your dealer will replace the engine intake manifold assembly free of charge.

This no-charge coverage is available for 7 years from the vehicle's warranty start date (no mileage limitation) and is automatically transferred to subsequent owners.


How long will it take... The time needed for this repair is less than one day. However, due to service scheduling requirements, your dealer may need your vehicle for a longer period of time.


What we are asking you to do... PLEASE KEEP THIS LETTER. If your car's engine intake manifold should exhibit the condition described above within the 7 year coverage period, contact your dealer. Show the dealer this letter. The dealer will replace the intake manifold assembly after verification of this specific condition. If you lose this letter the dealer will still honor the provisions of this program.


If you've already paid for this service... If you paid to have the engine intake manifold replaced due to a leak at the cross over coolant passage before the date of this letter, Ford Motor Company is offering a full refund. For the refund, please give your paid original receipt to your dealer. To avoid delays, do not send receipts to Ford Motor Company.


If you 've changed address or sold the vehicle... Please fill out the enclosed prepaid postcard and mail it to us if you have changed address or sold the vehicle.


If you have questions If you have questions, please contact us through the Internet at http://www.ownerconnection.com/ Our current response time to Internet inquiries is three business days.

You may also the Ford Motor Company North American Customer Relationship Center and one of our representatives will be happy to assist you:

CALL: (866) 436-7332
(800) 232-5952 (TDD for the Hearing Impaired)

Office Hours: 8am - 11pm Monday through Friday and
9am - 6pm Saturday (Eastern Time)


Quality Care service is there for you all year round.
Quality Care is the commitment of Ford Motor Company and its dealerships to provide you with a superior service and ownership experience. We stand committed with our Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers to assist you with all of your automotive service needs. With our nationwide dealer network, we're here to ensure you receive Quality Care service so that your vehicle maintains peak performance throughout your ownership experience.



We are taking this action as part of our ongoing effort to maintain owner confidence in our products. We hope this program will confirm your continued satisfaction in your Ford built vehicle.






--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

© 2001 FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Published By: Recall/Service Programs Department
Ford Customer Service Division

[goggles]

I don't see how I was wrong.

It's not a recall (true, by your own admission recall programs don't end, this one does )and it's on the books as a service program, I just didn't state for how long because I wasn't sure.

They replace it at no charge, also true.

So essentially enigmabird is hooped, his car is a 97 and the program ended last year for it.

Do you have any ideas or solutions to the problem we've been having?

[flewthecoupe]

I put it in simple terms. To be technically accurate, they are both in the recall category. First being a safety recall and second being the programs/campaigns. Still a recall. And no, I did not state it that way in my above post. The reason being most people hear recall and think it is forever, which it is not.

So, you saying it being on the books so they will repair it no charge made your statement misleading (As mine probably was) to the effect that anyone can still go and have it repaired if and whenever it happened.

Done with that.


Okay, first things first, call your local Ford shop and have them look up the VIN on OASIS. If for some reason your car was a bastard and didn't sell until sometime in the mid '97 model year, you have a chance. Odds are it sold in '96 and you have no coverage. But, it has happened for cars to sit on a lot for quite some time and not sell. I know someone who bought an '01 Buick in '03, brand new.

[enigmabird]

Thanks for the info. I actually bought mine brand new in Oct 97, and had the repair done about 2 years ago,
so maybe, maybe, I can get reimbursed from Ford. I'm sure it will be an uphill battle, but we'll see.

Thanx again!