F150 Engine Problems

[gallion_t]

I have a 2001 F150 with the 4.6l v8. Last night while driving home the engine all of a sudden started sounding really weird and running really rough. I pulled over instantly and checked the oil. There was only a tiny bit at the very bottom of the dips stick. The truck has never leaked or burned oil before. I added more oil to it to get it back up to where it should be and the issue continued. I cant find anywhere it is leaking oil and still starts up and runs, just very very rough.

The first thing im thinking is that one of the coils on the plug went out. I have had that happen several times before to me and its never ran this rough before.

If anyone has any suggestions or things to check for im all ears.

[Woodchuck]

Take a close look, those are known to blow spark plugs out and ruin a coil in the process.

[Skillet]

 
First thing that popped into my head.

[jackelope]

Take a close look, those are known to blow spark plugs out and ruin a coil in the process.

It would be really loud if this happened. Coils do go bad on their own all the time as well. By far, the most common problem they have. When they have a misfire, you can almost guarantee it's a bad coil. Replace the bad coil and the plug.

[TheHunt]

Did you check to see if there was oil in your radiator?

[whacker1]

How many miles since you last did plugs and coils?

[Westside88]

If it's missing oil it went somewhere. I'd start by rechecking the oil since its been sitting, look for oil in the cooling system and looking for where it could be escaping. These trucks sometimes had spark plug issues, look for a partial blowout of one?

[jackelope]

If it's missing oil it went somewhere. I'd start by rechecking the oil since its been sitting, look for oil in the cooling system and looking for where it could be escaping. These trucks sometimes had spark plug issues, look for a partial blowout of one?

They have an even more common problem with ignition coils going bad. Like probably 10x more common than the plugs blowing out.

Is the check engine light on?
If he checked the oil immediately after shutting the truck off, there's not going to be a lot on the stick. It will still be up in the engine.

[gallion_t]

Didnt see any oil in the radiator. Plugs were changed about 70k ago. I have never replaced all of the coils, just when they went bad. Im hoping thats the issue.

I have been having the common issue of the heat smelling like antifreeze lately. From what i read thats usually just a leak in the heater coil. Could that have progressed and caused another issue?

[jackelope]

Didnt see any oil in the radiator. Plugs were changed about 70k ago. I have never replaced all of the coils, just when they went bad. Im hoping thats the issue.

I have been having the common issue of the heat smelling like antifreeze lately. From what i read thats usually just a leak in the heater coil. Could that have progressed and caused another issue?

Heater core...
It won't cause more issues unless you ran it out of coolant, but it sounds like you've at least taken a look at that and I assume the cooling system is not too low?

[gallion_t]

The light wasnt on when the issue started. when i turn the accessories on the light pops on but i havent looked for it while running since this happened. Been trying to minimize the amount of run time until I can really look at it.

[gallion_t]

It actually looked pretty low. there was just a little bit at the bottom.

[MagKarl]

I would unplug one coil at a time to see if any of them are bad. 

[Woodchuck]

Get the code if you can, if it is a misfire, take the coil from that cylinder and move it to another, rescan and see if the miss follows the coil. 

[gallion_t]

Thats what ive done before with bad coils. Thats certainly the first step, but if that doesnt work i was hoping to have some other areas to look.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

[huntnphool]

If you had any oil on the dip stick you need not worry about oil loss, my bet is along Jackelopes line, check the coils, sounds more like you have a bad cylinder.

[jackelope]

If it's got oil and coolant in it, drive it to your local O'Reilly's or other parts store with a scanner and see if you have any fault codes.

[whacker1]

70k miles is typically the timeframe that I would lose a plug or coil.  I try to change them on that interval no pro-actively.  To me that is what it sounds like.

i had a 97 f150 that I drove 195k miles and lost a few plugs and coils along the way

I have an 01 f150 that i have 110k on now and changed them all at 70k and will again at 130k -140k mode.

When I lost them, it typically ran really rough and went into limp mode as soon as the light came on

[gallion_t]

I was planning on stopping at one on the way home from work tonight and borrowing one for a little bit. If they wont let me ill just get more coolant to add to the system.

Im now concerned that i might have too much oil since i added about 2 quarts while it was warm.

Ill look more into it tonight after work.

[Alchase]

Best $20 I ever spent when it comes to diagnostics!
(even cheaper now)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B3K2X4M/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687782&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B005M16GMI&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0MSFRHNH4V712YBFEPA3

[birddogdad]

have one, they use oil. if you long trip or tow.. wouldn't worry too much unless it becomes an issue... lots of blanks on the oil issue, interval change, type oil, truck use ect...

the plug/coil discussion is first. change 'em would wires too... only 2 coils (one per side) not too $$...
for the sake of money, plugs first then wires, if still present go for the 2 coils.... probably burnt off electrode/ big gap from many miles....
passenger back plug sucks..... proper torque on plugs, they rattle out if you don't and can result in pulling thread$$ from head.

after this, bad fuel, filter, fuel pump would be next direction... water in EFI will result in skip/missing but not kill the motor...

any idiot lights/ has it thrown a code?

[Woodchuck]

An '01 f-150 4.6 has 8 coils, no plug wires. 

[birddogdad]

An '01 f-150 4.6 has 8 coils, no plug wires. 

sorry mine was a '99/00 going off that info...
with that in mind, easter egg with 1 coil would be cheaper than 8X $$ cost... after replacing all plugs...

[Buckmark]

Knuter valve?

Catastrophic converter?

Muffler bearings?

Piston return spring broken?

Was a full moon tuesday....

[Woodchuck]

Halogen fluid is low. 

[gallion_t]

got it to oriellys and tested. Missfire on cylinder 3. Went to swap the coil and it just fell off. Then went to pull the plug and it was just laying there. Not threaded in at all. Now i cant get a new plug to start threading. I know a couple of you guys mentioned having blowing plugs. Is there a way to fix it without having to pull the head and retapping the hole?

[jackelope]

There's a special helicoil kit you can use to put a threaded insert into the hole. It's not really something is recommend doing if you're not experienced. It can be done and it's not cheap but it's a hell of a lot cheaper than a new head. A shop will probably charge you a couple hours labor iffffff they can do it.

[huntnphool]

Send coach a pm, he owns his own shop.

[coachcw]

Pretty common issue . I recommend pulling all the plugs on a cold engine and replacing them and helicoil as needed . the kit isnt too bad on cost and can be done in the truck . the #4 and 8 cylinders can be tricky but done . Dont use gobs of anti sieze just a pinch . I have the kit if you want to borrow it . I see your up in Everett Jermy up at Auto and truck is a pretty good guy if that works for you . If you wanna give me a ring its (206)522-6100. Corey 

[Mxracer532]

got it to oriellys and tested. Missfire on cylinder 3. Went to swap the coil and it just fell off. Then went to pull the plug and it was just laying there. Not threaded in at all. Now i cant get a new plug to start threading. I know a couple of you guys mentioned having blowing plugs. Is there a way to fix it without having to pull the head and retapping the hole?

My brother had this happen to him, blew the plug and threads right out of the head. The problem is FORD is pricks and knows they have a problem and wont fix it. Problem being the plugs only thread in about 2 turns and thats it. My dads I replaced all the plugs and could actually unthread the plugs by hand. It was only a matter of time before they blew out also.

[Sandberm]

Is this "Blowing the sparkplugs out" problem specific to the 4.6V8 or does it happen to other ford engine designs....like say the 5.8 in my 95 F-250?

[gallion_t]

Pretty common issue . I recommend pulling all the plugs on a cold engine and replacing them and helicoil as needed . the kit isnt too bad on cost and can be done in the truck . the #4 and 8 cylinders can be tricky but done . Dont use gobs of anti sieze just a pinch . I have the kit if you want to borrow it . I see your up in Everett Jermy up at Auto and truck is a pretty good guy if that works for you . If you wanna give me a ring its (206)522-6100. Corey

Thanks Coach. I might take you up on that offer to borrow the kit. I think im going to call a couple shops this morning and get some quotes on what it will cost to have it done. If its not to expensive i might just have someone else do it.

[Skillet]

Is this "Blowing the sparkplugs out" problem specific to the 4.6V8 or does it happen to other ford engine designs....like say the 5.8 in my 95 F-250?

Your 351 is fine - this is a problem with the aluminum-headed modular motors. 4.6, 5.4, etc.

[Woodchuck]

 

[LabChamp]

I just got rid of my older 4.6 F150 about 6 months ago. Ran great for years and started having the same kind of problems. Went with a new ecoboost and am in love with it. Time to take one for a test drive if you haven't already

[gallion_t]

I just got rid of my older 4.6 F150 about 6 months ago. Ran great for years and started having the same kind of problems. Went with a new ecoboost and am in love with it. Time to take one for a test drive if you haven't already

Oh I fully agree. I have been looking off and on since about February for a new one. I was hoping to hold out until the 2016s came out and the 15s go on sale. In hind sight I should have bit the bullet back in February during the presidents day sales. Had some great deals then.

[Woodchuck]

I would bet there will be Father's Day and 4th of July sales coming soon. 

[gallion_t]

Yea, and im still looking and as soon as I find a good deal I will be jumping all over it. Just doubt the really good ones will come out until the 16s are released and theyre blowing out the 15s.

[Woodchuck]

There is a certain member here that works at a Ford dealer, You might shoot him a pm and see if he can keep an eye out for something. 

[CP]

Yea, and im still looking and as soon as I find a good deal I will be jumping all over it. Just doubt the really good ones will come out until the 16s are released and theyre blowing out the 15s.

Let us know when you find that good deal.  My 1997 F150 has served me well but its list of issues is growing.

[gallion_t]

Thats where im at too. I dont mind the minnor stuff, but i dont want to hold onto the truck so long the big things start popping up.

[gallion_t]

I ended up having it towed to the shop last night. They are getting it fixed for me today. They figured 1-2 hours of shop time and I already had the parts. When it came down to it I figured it wasn't worth my hassle. Last thing i wanted to have happen was spend the day working on it to screw something up and have to pull the head off. Plus this way i have it back for the weekend and can focus on my spring bear tag.

Thank you everyone for all of the suggestions and Coach for offering to let me borrow the tool. There truely are a lot of great people on this site.

[Alchase]

Pretty common issue . I recommend pulling all the plugs on a cold engine and replacing them and helicoil as needed . the kit isnt too bad on cost and can be done in the truck . the #4 and 8 cylinders can be tricky but done . Dont use gobs of anti sieze just a pinch . I have the kit if you want to borrow it . I see your up in Everett Jermy up at Auto and truck is a pretty good guy if that works for you . If you wanna give me a ring its (206)522-6100. Corey 

Couch, just curious, I always heard when working on tough to get loose parts (or aluminum) to heat it up first.
Can you explain why you do this on a cold engine?

[coachcw]

Aluminium  grows a ton when hot and the cold head  holds its threads better  . On those ford's I have had much better luck cold plus you get a true torque on the new plug .one the 9/16  sparkplug models the best way to get them out is with a 3/8 impact gun.. sca red me on the first one but works great .

[Alchase]

Aluminium  grows a ton when hot and the cold head  holds its threads better  . On those ford's I have had much better luck cold plus you get a true torque on the new plug .one the 9/16  sparkplug models the best way to get them out is with a 3/8 impact gun.. sca red me on the first one but works great .

Good to know thanks!

[j_h_nimrod]

Aluminium  grows a ton when hot and the cold head  holds its threads better  . On those ford's I have had much better luck cold plus you get a true torque on the new plug .one the 9/16  sparkplug models the best way to get them out is with a 3/8 impact gun.. sca red me on the first one but works great .

 

I changed the plugs in my '01 5.4 at 100,000 miles and after hearing all the horror stories was scared I was gonna cost myself a lot of time and money. The impact works great though and I had no issues.

[coachcw]

If you guys ever smell raw fuel  on a Ford  look for loose spark plugs

[jackelope]

I spazzed a little the first time I saw the guys pulling those plugs with an impact. Yikes. Works great though and we almost never break plugs.

[follow maggie]

One of th happiest days of my life was the day I took my f150 with 4.6 to the auction and told them to sell this piece of crap the best you can. I felt like Norm at Cheers whenever I took that thing to the mechanic.