Cyclinder 4 Misfire on 99 Sport 4.0 OHV

[flagg79]

I started my Ex after a rainy day and began to drive. Engine was making a ticking sound, bad acceleration, stuttering, hesitation.

CEL pops on. While driving on an inclined bridge, the CEL began to blink. When I stopped, it popped P304. I reset it. Began to drive again. All was normal for 10 minutes, then the same things happened again.

Bought new spark plugs (even though the current plugs have only 8K on them), wires, and ignition coil. I managed to replace all the plugs on the passenger side, but could not get at any on the drivers side...of course, number 4 is on the driver side!

I changed the coil and wires and drove. Still crappy. Opened hood with engine running and saw sparks coming from number 4.

So....did I destroy the plug while trying to remove it and caused these sparks? Or could this plug have been faulty all along and is the root cause...but why would a plug go bad after only 8K? Or is something else going on all together?

I am obviously going to tell the mechanic tomorrow to rethread the hole and replace the plug....sigh...

any help would be greatly appreciated!

I am still mad I didnt have the right combo of tools to get all the plugs off!!

 

[jlsparky7]

Buy some different sized extensions and some swivel fittings and get the plug out on your own. They also sell a thread clean up tool specifically for spark plug holes, pick up one of those as well.

What plugs are in the truck now? Bosh are garbage in my experience and you shouldnt use platinum's or iridium's, just stick with copper.

 

[flagg79]

I have Bosch Plat. and Motorcraft in there now.

I didnt like seeing the sparks come out from the plug. I need to have the hole rethreaded, I have no idea how to do that. I am mechanically retarded.

 

[jlsparky7]

I have Bosch Plat. and Motorcraft in there now.

I didnt like seeing the sparks come out from the plug. I need to have the hole rethreaded, I have no idea how to do that. I am mechanically retarded.

Its definitely the plugs that are your problem.

Rethreading is easy. Get the tool, its cheap, start it by hand then 1/2 turn in 1/4 turn out.

Might want to attach a small hose to a vacuum cleaner and suck all the metal scraps out of the cylinder afterwords.

Just trying to save you some cash.

 

[flagg79]

You make it sound easy

First I need to find the right combo of tools. The 2nd and 3rd plug seem almost impossible to get at, but those dont seem to be the problem plugs.

 

[jlsparky7]

You make it sound easy

First I need to find the right combo of tools. The 2nd and 3rd plug seem almost impossible to get at, but those dont seem to be the problem plugs.

The only part about it that would be hard is accessibility. If there is something that's in the way and you cant work around it, then move whats in your way