Spark Plug Problem?? What could this be?

CamDJClimited · 05-24-2011, 09:50 PM

So recently, I had a #7 Cylinder Misfire in my 1996 AWD V8 Explorer. I got the plugs, wires, and coil packs changed with brand new ones, and now I have a misfire on Cylinder #5. Anyone know what could have happened? I get the code P0305 and sometimes the check engine light flashes. Before the change I used to get the code P0307. And now it's just P0305. Any ideas?? Like I've said, I just had the plugs, wires, and coil packs changed. Just after they got changed the Misfire on #7 stopped and its now on #5. Any ideas??

I have no idea if it's a head gasket or not. I don't seem to be losing coolant, and I don't see any white smoke coming out of the exhaust (I don't see anything coming out of there) and I'm not leaking any oil or anything.

I will be REALLY happy to the person that helps me figure this out

4pullingGM · 05-24-2011, 10:33 PM

The first thing I would do is make sure that the new plug wire wasn't misrouted and melted on the exhaust manifold. If that's ok, the next thing I would do is move the #5 spark plug to a different cylinder and see if the miss follows the plug to the new cylinder. Check the gap on the plug while ya got it out. If it accidentally got dropped during installation it could have closed the gap or cracked the porcelain.

CamDJClimited · 05-24-2011, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4pullingGM

The first thing I would do is make sure that the new plug wire wasn't misrouted and melted on the exhaust manifold. If that's ok, the next thing I would do is move the #5 spark plug to a different cylinder and see if the miss follows the plug to the new cylinder. Check the gap on the plug while ya got it out. If it accidentally got dropped during installation it could have closed the gap or cracked the porcelain.

Tried that too. I actually tried 2 new spark plugs and 1 new wire on that cylinder and its still the same problem

CamDJClimited · 05-24-2011, 10:58 PM

Someone said it could be a head gasket problem, but if you look at the spark plug diagram, cylinders 5 and 7 aren't next to eachother. 6 is between them. And why would the #7 misfire go away. SO Confused :\ but I need this fixed asap!

jlsparky7 · 05-24-2011, 11:50 PM

Check compression in the cylinders?

CamDJClimited · 05-24-2011, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlsparky7

Check compression in the cylinders?

About to have that checked soon.

I love your vids btw! I just watched the one on the Fuel Filter change - about to do that tomorrow. My explorer has 160,000 miles on it and still has the original fuel filter. Do you think that could be a cause?

brypen101 · 05-25-2011, 01:37 AM

Its the fuel injectors

4pullingGM · 05-25-2011, 08:14 AM

Have you checked for spark at that wire? Ive seen new coils and spark plug wires that are bad oiut of the box, not common but it happens. If spark checks out try swapping the fuel injector to another cylinder. You can use a noid light to chech for signal to the fuel injector. If spark and fuel check out its time to check compression.

*ranger7ltr* · 05-25-2011, 08:45 AM

It could be fuel delivery... When was the last time the fuel filter was changed and what is the fuel pump pressure?

Since you have done the plugs, checked wires, and pretty ruled out ignition i would start looking at the fuel system...What I have seen in the past when the code changes to a different spot a system that affects that system was causing the problem...In more than one case the fuel filter was plugged up with rust and dirt and fuel volume/pressure were being reduced and causing the misfire...

CamDJClimited · 05-25-2011, 01:12 PM

Hey guys, So I have one more thought. I just realized...I started having the misfire a day after I had used my Jet Programmer. Everytime I try and use it now, all I get is error messages. Is it possible that the programmer messed something up? I tuned it back to stock the last time i used it *and it worked*, but now when I plug it in for any kind of programming, all I get is an "error 36" code. And by the way, my ABS light comes on when it wants to. Especially when the car's all warmed up it comes on right away. With cold starts, it takes a while. Any ideas?

CamDJClimited · 05-25-2011, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamDJClimited

Hey guys, So I have one more thought. I just realized...I started having the misfire a day after I had used my Jet Programmer. Everytime I try and use it now, all I get is error messages. Is it possible that the programmer messed something up? I tuned it back to stock the last time i used it *and it worked*, but now when I plug it in for any kind of programming, all I get is an "error 36" code. And by the way, my ABS light comes on when it wants to. Especially when the car's all warmed up it comes on right away. With cold starts, it takes a while. Any ideas?

AND Also the code P1000 has been on ever since too.

4pullingGM · 05-26-2011, 08:09 AM

Can you put back to a stock tune? Might be something to try and rule out.

CamDJClimited · 05-26-2011, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4pullingGM

Can you put back to a stock tune? Might be something to try and rule out.

The programmer's not letting me do anything

05-24-2011, 09:50 PM	#1
CamDJClimited Wannabe Elite Explorer Southampton, MA 1996 Ford Explorer Limite Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 420 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Spark Plug Problem?? What could this be? So recently, I had a #7 Cylinder Misfire in my 1996 AWD V8 Explorer. I got the plugs, wires, and coil packs changed with brand new ones, and now I have a misfire on Cylinder #5. Anyone know what could have happened? I get the code P0305 and sometimes the check engine light flashes. Before the change I used to get the code P0307. And now it's just P0305. Any ideas?? Like I've said, I just had the plugs, wires, and coil packs changed. Just after they got changed the Misfire on #7 stopped and its now on #5. Any ideas?? I have no idea if it's a head gasket or not. I don't seem to be losing coolant, and I don't see any white smoke coming out of the exhaust (I don't see anything coming out of there) and I'm not leaking any oil or anything. I will be REALLY happy to the person that helps me figure this out

05-25-2011, 08:45 AM	#9
ranger7ltr Elite Explorer Great State of Texas 1999 Sport Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,139 Vehicle Specs	A detected misfire doesn't have to mean spark... It could be fuel delivery... When was the last time the fuel filter was changed and what is the fuel pump pressure? Since you have done the plugs, checked wires, and pretty ruled out ignition i would start looking at the fuel system...What I have seen in the past when the code changes to a different spot a system that affects that system was causing the problem...In more than one case the fuel filter was plugged up with rust and dirt and fuel volume/pressure were being reduced and causing the misfire... __________________ When in doubt, use a bigger hammer! 2008 Dodge Charger R/T 2003 Ford F-150 XLT Supercab 1999 Ford Explorer Sport [new playtoy] 1983 Ford Ranger V8 [soon to be gone]

05-25-2011, 01:12 PM	#10
CamDJClimited Wannabe Elite Explorer Southampton, MA 1996 Ford Explorer Limite Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 420 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Idea! Hey guys, So I have one more thought. I just realized...I started having the misfire a day after I had used my Jet Programmer. Everytime I try and use it now, all I get is error messages. Is it possible that the programmer messed something up? I tuned it back to stock the last time i used it and it worked, but now when I plug it in for any kind of programming, all I get is an "error 36" code. And by the way, my ABS light comes on when it wants to. Especially when the car's all warmed up it comes on right away. With cold starts, it takes a while. Any ideas?

05-24-2011, 10:33 PM	#2
4pullingGM Wannabe Elite Explorer Oglesby, Illinois Stand on it! Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 119 Vehicle Specs	The first thing I would do is make sure that the new plug wire wasn't misrouted and melted on the exhaust manifold. If that's ok, the next thing I would do is move the #5 spark plug to a different cylinder and see if the miss follows the plug to the new cylinder. Check the gap on the plug while ya got it out. If it accidentally got dropped during installation it could have closed the gap or cracked the porcelain.

05-24-2011, 10:58 PM	#4
CamDJClimited Wannabe Elite Explorer Southampton, MA 1996 Ford Explorer Limite Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 420 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Someone said it could be a head gasket problem, but if you look at the spark plug diagram, cylinders 5 and 7 aren't next to eachother. 6 is between them. And why would the #7 misfire go away. SO Confused :\ but I need this fixed asap!

05-24-2011, 11:50 PM	#5
jlsparky7 Wannabe Elite Explorer Woodhaven, Mi 1996 5.0 XLT AWD Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1,517 Vehicle Specs	Check compression in the cylinders? __________________ Explorer how to videos Brakes, Intake, Seafoam, Coolant Flush, Oil change, Differential Flush, Inertia Switch, Thermostat, Transfer Case Flush, Throttle Mod, and more! http://www.youtube.com/user/jlsparky7 If you like/use my vids you can thank me by subscribing to my youtube page! Thanks!

05-25-2011, 01:37 AM	#7
brypen101 Wannabe Elite Explorer colorado springs 1999 ford explorer v8 awd Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 1 Vehicle Specs	Its the fuel injectors

05-25-2011, 08:14 AM	#8
4pullingGM Wannabe Elite Explorer Oglesby, Illinois Stand on it! Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 119 Vehicle Specs	Have you checked for spark at that wire? Ive seen new coils and spark plug wires that are bad oiut of the box, not common but it happens. If spark checks out try swapping the fuel injector to another cylinder. You can use a noid light to chech for signal to the fuel injector. If spark and fuel check out its time to check compression.

05-26-2011, 08:09 AM	#12
4pullingGM Wannabe Elite Explorer Oglesby, Illinois Stand on it! Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 119 Vehicle Specs	Can you put back to a stock tune? Might be something to try and rule out.