2003 4.6 L Coolant leak damaged coil boots?

[ediede]

I had my 2003 v8 explorer with 114,000 miles on it in for an oil change and found a leak in the coolant system and they pinned it down to damage to the intake manifold (I did see it, it looked like the groove for the gasket to thermostat was broken).



They replaced it, but they mentioned that the boots the coils sit in have been damaged due to coolant exposure and that the car will misfire for a while until the coolant drys out. They suggested driving it for a couple days and see if it dries out. While the engine is misfiring.

A month ago I did have coil 2 & 7 replaced at a different shop due to misfires, FYI.

Is this legit or should I just get the coils and boots replaced and not kill my catalytic converter?

Already know I'm not going back to either shop, not happy with them.

Thanks for any help

 

[esclamada]

This is a know issue on 4.6L engines and the only fix is replacement of the intake manifold. Better to replace this early before it kills your head gaskets or your cats due to misfires. Changing the colis and boots is not the correct fix.

Here are some threads;

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2994162&postcount=1


I did a similar route using Dorman replacement and some detailed photos here;
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.360434580691366.78120.110528882348605&type=3







-----------------------------------------------------------
MY MOUNTY
http://www.facebook.com/diyfordexplorer/photos_albums

 

[chopperb]

If the boots are not torn or dry rotted then they can be cleaned up and reused. I have replaced many 98 and up plastic manifolds on crown vics(same motor as yours). Had to replace a few coils because of the coolant leak but I was always able to reuse the boots if they were not torn or dry rotted.

 

[ediede]

They did replace the intake manifold, but after that i have started having misfire problems. What is the best way to clean the boots? Or will they dry out with use?

 

[esclamada]

They probably didn't clean the plug hole properly and let coolant stay there. I have replaced intake manifolds of several cars (even cars with plugs popping out due to valve cover gasket leaks) and was able to just clean the boot dry. Best way is to just replace the plugs first where the misfire is (cheap and easy) and put dielectric grease to the plugs and tip of the boot.



-----------------------------------------------------------
MY MOUNTY
http://www.facebook.com/diyfordexplorer/photos_albums