Help with possible engine issue

lloydrage

lloydrage

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Need your guys' help. Please let me explain before my questions.

I was driving to the airport to pick up the wife and stopped to fill up my tank. My tank was at 1/2-1/4 tank so I filled it up with 93 (like I always do), then proceed to hop on the entrance ramp to the highway. As I was driving up I kind of punched it, went about 4500 maybe 5000 RPMs. At that point my service engine light started to blink. My AC stopped pushing out cold air but the air wasnt hot, it was outside temperature. I checked my thermostat and my car wasnt overheating.

So I pulled over, with the light still blinking, shut the car off (light shut off) and read the manual. Here is what the manual says....

Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which could damage your catalytic converter.
You should drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and
deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced at the first available
opportunity.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a
fire.

So I started the car back up and the light was no longer blinking, the car was running fine and the AC was pushing out cold air again. Drove the airport and back, no more issues. Got home, started it up again drove it around no lights no issues so parked her in the garage.

So my question is any idea what happened? Should I take my car to a shop even though the light is gone? Any input is appreciated!

Thanks

LLOYD
 
Well... You read the manual, misfiring coil(s). When was the last time they were replaced?
 
Car is a 02 with 63K miles on it, I have had it since 30K, never replaced coils or spark plugs
 
djknowledge said:
probablty the coils....it's always the coils with this f*ckin car...
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Yes. The OP should replace the COPs (coils) and the spark plugs now. To wait is to risk ruining the catalytic converters (expensive).
 
You can also check the trouble codes, as there will be one stored for the blinking light, but it's most liked the generic P0300 code that doesn't tell you which one it was. I'd do like Joe said and replace both the coils and plugs to avoid future problems.
 
coils man, it only misses under load most likely, which is why it did it when u punched it, mine did back around 60k also, i keep coils in my trunk when i go on trips cuz these things are so sketchy
 
alright guys thanks for info, guess I will have a fun saturday been looking to do something on car. I will drive it slow and safe for the next day.

As always thanks for the input, this is the exact reason why I keep coming back here and why I kept the LS. Too good of a community to leave :)
 
I checked and there are no error codes, is it possible the gas caused it?

Are you guys sure I need to replace my coils? Dont want to drop 300 bucks for no reason.

thanks
 
lloydrage said:
I checked and there are no error codes, is it possible the gas caused it?

Are you guys sure I need to replace my coils? Dont want to drop 300 bucks for no reason.

thanks
Click to expand...

Marginal coils frequently leave no error codes. I still vote coils and plugs.

A Ford specific scan tool will allow you to run the engine running self test. This test will often show misfire counts for some cylinders, even though the generic OBDII scan tool didn't pick up any codes.

You know you had misfires. "Bad gas" is an often used excuse that is incorrect almost all of the time.
 
lloydrage said:
Ok so where do I get a Ford Specific Scan tool?
Click to expand...

I'm sure that there are several places. I have the prior model to this one. I need to get around to getting mine upgraded.

http://www.autoenginuity.com/order.html

PC-based ScanTool (ProLine Hardware)
#ST06 - USB
$249.95

Plus

Enhanced Ford Expansion
#EI01 - Access Ford-specific sensors not covered by the OBD-II specification.
Requires ST05 OBDII Rev 4F+ or ST06 ProLine.

$199.95

Just having the ST06 without the E101 wouldn't do you much good.

Update: Or get this bundle.

Total Ford ScanTool Bundle Total Ford ScanTool Bundle
#SP03 - Includes:
• USB ScanTool (ST06)
• Enhanced Ford Expansion


$399.95
 
Last edited:
I'm still kicking myself for not buying the autoenginuity scantool a member was selling here a while back. He was selling it with the ford specific expansion program, for $250.
 
I called local dealer they said they have the tools but its 90 bucks for the scan, WTF!
 
lloydrage said:
I called local dealer they said they have the tools but its 90 bucks for the scan, WTF!
Click to expand...

$90 is probably their standard diagnostic charge. It could be worse, some charge $200.

It's your car and your money so I can't tell you what to do, I can only give advice. I still advise you to change all the coils and plugs before doing any other checks. The reason for this is that the LS is well known for having coil problems.
At about 66K miles was when my 04 had it first two coils mess up. After they were replaced, it seemed okay but the idle was not as smooth as on my 06. Later, just before 100K miles I took it back and they tested and replaced two more coils, but the idle still wasn't perfectly smooth. I ran the self test that caught the other coil failures a few more times, but it didn't indicate any faults. I just recently gave in and replaced all eight coils and plugs. It now idles perfectly smooth, like my 06.
 
ok I will replace them then, is there anything else I need to replace while I'm at it?
 
I suppose check for oil in the wells and change VCG's if needed.
 
well replaced the three driver side first, on the 3rd driver side one it was dripping water. I put new plugs and coils for those three, started it up and its no longer misfiring and no more issues. I am going to leave the other three in there rather then take off the intake manifold. Thanks for all of the input guys, especially joegr.

Hopefully I dont have to dick with the other three anytime soon, that looks like a boat load of work
 
lloydrage said:
well replaced the three driver side first, on the 3rd driver side one it was dripping water. I put new plugs and coils for those three, started it up and its no longer misfiring and no more issues. I am going to leave the other three in there rather then take off the intake manifold. Thanks for all of the input guys, especially joegr.

Hopefully I dont have to dick with the other three anytime soon, that looks like a boat load of work
Click to expand...

You should look into changing your wiper motor bracket gasket.
 
lloydrage said:
huh?
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That's were the water you found in the plug wells comes from. Replace the gasket and you won't have water there again. Don't replace it, and you will get to go through this all over again.
 
it wasnt water, it was gasoline. The plug wasnt firing which would cause the excess gas, correct?
 
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