Cracked Ignition Coil

[brunnj]

Originally Posted by shorod

Do you still get a misfire code for cylinder #3?

-Rod

Don't know yet. Check engine light isn't on and I haven't dropped by Autozone to get them to check for any pending codes.

[brunnj]

Originally Posted by RoB51988

If you havent messed with the hoses I dont see why any of them would be leaking. The only time I ever had a misfire with lack of power while driving is when I had had bad valve and warped head. Do a compression test and see what it comes up with.

With a bad valve and warped head, was your problem all the time or intermittent? Mine is intermittent, and as a matter of fact, the engine runs well the majority of the time. That's why this is so puzzling. I know there is a TSB listed for the 2002 Taurus with the Vulcan engine for P0300, P030X and P0316 codes at Alldata.com. I've seen lots of posters on here and another automotive forum with the same problem. I did have a pending P0303 at one time and that one seems to be the most common one on both forums.

[shorod]

I did run across a friend's Contour with the 2.5L Duratech V6 that had a random misfire, but no misfire codes. Her car was pre-OBD2 so it didn't have quite as nice of diagnostics. What I ended up finding by accident on that one was a broken wire for the fuel injectors. After unsuccessfully searching for the misfire a few times, the car left her stranded at work one day, cranked but wouldn't start, had spark and fuel. I backprobed the fuel injection wiring with an oscilloscope to scope the injector signal, had her crank the engine and the car started. I found that if I wiggled that connection, I could get the car to stall or restart. The connection for the injector main feed was intermittant in the harness. I fixed the connection and the no-start and misfire never returned. For what it's worth, her boyfriend had previously tried a new coil to no avail.

-Rod

[brunnj]

Originally Posted by shorod

Do you still get a misfire code for cylinder #3?

-Rod

Not sure. Auto Zone was closed when I got off work so I'll have to get the pending codes (if any) checked tomorrow. I know I still have a miss so something should be pending but who knows.

[brunnj]

Originally Posted by shorod

I did run across a friend's Contour with the 2.5L Duratech V6 that had a random misfire, but no misfire codes. Her car was pre-OBD2 so it didn't have quite as nice of diagnostics. What I ended up finding by accident on that one was a broken wire for the fuel injectors. After unsuccessfully searching for the misfire a few times, the car left her stranded at work one day, cranked but wouldn't start, had spark and fuel. I backprobed the fuel injection wiring with an oscilloscope to scope the injector signal, had her crank the engine and the car started. I found that if I wiggled that connection, I could get the car to stall or restart. The connection for the injector main feed was intermittant in the harness. I fixed the connection and the no-start and misfire never returned. For what it's worth, her boyfriend had previously tried a new coil to no avail.

-Rod

I hope mine isn't a wiring problem. I don't have access to an oscilloscope (without paying for it) and don't want to have to trace a short in the wiring. If that is what it is though, then so be it. At least from what I've heard using my stethescope, the injector on cylinder 3 is working. Hopefully I'll know more tomorrow after I get any pending codes read. I really need to purchase a good scanner.

[brunnj]

Originally Posted by brunnj

I hope mine isn't a wiring problem. I don't have access to an oscilloscope (without paying for it) and don't want to have to trace a short in the wiring. If that is what it is though, then so be it. At least from what I've heard using my stethescope, the injector on cylinder 3 is working. Hopefully I'll know more tomorrow after I get any pending codes read. I really need to purchase a good scanner.

There are no pending codes on my PCM. The other day, with the tank only 1/4 full, I dumped injector cleaner and fuel system cleaner in. The car has run much better since. I purchased a new fuel filter and am waiting for my Ford fuel line adapter to arrive for my fuel pressure gauge so I can check all of that and replace the filter. I am leaning toward a fuel delivery problem (filter, pressure regulator or pump) or possibly something in the EGR system.

[shorod]

Please keep us informed with what you find.

Be sure not to over tighten the new Ford fuel line adapter. That seems to easily tear up the gaskets in the adapter and cause them to leak.

-Rod

[brunnj]

Originally Posted by shorod

Please keep us informed with what you find.

Be sure not to over tighten the new Ford fuel line adapter. That seems to easily tear up the gaskets in the adapter and cause them to leak.

-Rod

Thanks for the advice.