Engine Misfire issues just beginning?

[perpetualchange]

Greetings. I drive a 2004 V6 Lincoln LS, and recently have had problems with the engine light coming on, as well as the car “shaking” when idle for a few minutes after start-up (my commute is about 30-60 minutes depending on traffic and the “shaking” would stop after 5 or so). I have never had these issues before and I'm hoping that this isn't the beginning of what seems to be a pretty common problem.

After an autozone reading I learned that the engine light was on due to a Cylinder 1 misfire. I changed the coil and spark plug on the first day. After the work was done, the car continued to shake with the check engine light remaining lit, until reset from the battery. After that, the car stopped the shaking and the check engine light did not turn on. The issue has not come up again for the last couple of days, thankfully.

My question is, although everything seems OK for now, I have researched around and noticed that this problem (coils and plugs) is a pretty common one. I know that I’m probably going to have to change all the coils and plugs soon, which I’m holding off on because coils cost at least $50 a pop and getting the manifold off so I can change coils 3 and 2 is going to be a pain in the rump (I was able to do 1 without taking off the manifold, amazingly).

What’s everyone’s experience with these type of Lincoln misfires? How often do you need to change coils, and how much do you expect to pay when you do?

Also, why did my check engine light remain on until reset? I also just changed rear lights after one bulb went out, and the vehicle continues to give me the “lamp out” message even though I know for a fact that all my lights (including brake lights) are good.

Thanks

 

[LS4me]

Replace the remaining coils and plugs.

 

[joegr]

...
Also, why did my check engine light remain on until reset? I also just changed rear lights after one bulb went out, and the vehicle continues to give me the “lamp out” message even though I know for a fact that all my lights (including brake lights) are good.

Thanks

The light will stay on until the PCM has run through enough of the right driving cycles to know that the problem has been corrected.

You need to check all the lights not just for brake light and turn signal function, but also for parking light function.

 

[perpetualchange]

Replace the remaining coils and plugs.

What’s the level of urgency? I’m gonna need to hold off on changing the rest of them at least until the weekend, and would like to wait longer if possible considering the money, the amount of work it’s gonna take, and the weather.

 

[Telco]

What’s the level of urgency? I’m gonna need to hold off on changing the rest of them at least until the weekend, and would like to wait longer if possible considering the money, the amount of work it’s gonna take, and the weather.

Depends on how you feel about changing O2 sensors and cats in addition to the coils and plugs, seeing as degraded coils on these cars seem to kill the O2s and cats in pretty short order. If you can replace them this weekend I would do it then, replace the plugs at the same time, and limit driving the car as much as you can until then. So far as expense and ease no idea on the V6, it was a breeze on the V8 as when they changed the coils they didn't change the plugs so I had to pull the coils to get the plugs off.

 

[perpetualchange]

Depends on how you feel about changing O2 sensors and cats in addition to the coils and plugs, seeing as degraded coils on these cars seem to kill the O2s and cats in pretty short order. If you can replace them this weekend I would do it then, replace the plugs at the same time, and limit driving the car as much as you can until then. So far as expense and ease no idea on the V6, it was a breeze on the V8 as when they changed the coils they didn't change the plugs so I had to pull the coils to get the plugs off.

If it’s not shaking when idel and the check engine light isn’t coming on, though, then there shouldn’t be anything wrong with the rest of the plugs/coils, right?

Unlike the V8 (I think) coils are under the manifold in the V6, which complicates things.

Sorry if I sound ignorant. This is basically my first car.

 

[joegr]

If it’s not shaking when idel and the check engine light isn’t coming on, though, then there shouldn’t be anything wrong with the rest of the plugs/coils, right?...

Wrong. Marginal coils often don't trigger a check engine light, and can be difficult to tell by feel.

As long as you have to take the top half of the manifold off, you would be ahead to change out the PCV valve and PCV plumbing while you are in there.

 

[Telco]

Sorry man, but the LS engines aren't the best where ignition goes. If I were keeping mine I'd convert it to use General Motors 3rd gen coils. I have to see what the money tree is going to do but if I can I'm selling mine and buying something else. Don't get me wrong, the LS is a great car, but I'm really too tall for it.

Listen to Joe though, he's the expert on these cars that makes this site worthwhile. Swap the coils, replace the PCV system at the same time.

 

[Right on the Mark]

I bought all 6 cops set off ebay from Alanisdeals and they where very high quality cops.(made in FL) I have had them 3 years now and no problem. I think 145 for all 6 shipped.

 

[jrand]

OP: how many miles on your current coils?
they typically all go at once and you are going to have issues until you do them all. a couple bad ones can ruin a couple good ones quickly, so probably best to replace the other 5.

 

[jrand]

Sorry man, but the LS engines aren't the best where ignition goes. If I were keeping mine I'd convert it to use General Motors 3rd gen coils. I have to see what the money tree is going to do but if I can I'm selling mine and buying something else. Don't get me wrong, the LS is a great car, but I'm really too tall for it.

Listen to Joe though, he's the expert on these cars that makes this site worthwhile. Swap the coils, replace the PCV system at the same time.

i fit with the seat lowered to the floor. if i were a couple inches taller i would say the same thing, i hit my head occasionally and its hard to see out the windshield

 

[perpetualchange]

Thanks guys. I’m gonna get to it as soon as finances permit, unless things start showing problems again in the immediate future. Hope I can hold out at least until spring, when it’s warmer and/or I’ve had time to save.

I got the Lincoln from my dad, who handed it down to me. I’m also considering parting with it, though. I do love driving it, but it seems like to maintain this car you need to be either rich or handy, and I’m not really either.