feel like misfiring but not sure

[macr6]

Hey guys I know this has probably been answered but what I really want to make sure is that I'm attacking the right problem with the correct solution.

2007 Ford Explorer 8cyl 4.6l
68k on the dash

Problem: When accelerating up slight to moderate hills it feel like the truck misfires a bit. The only way to describe it is if you were driving up the hill and all of the sudden the fuel was shut off for a split second and it hesitates.

Solution: Took it to autozone and hooked up the odbII scanner and had no codes. So I'm thinking fuel filter, plugs (the notorious 4.6l plugs), coils. I started with throwing a can of BG44k down the tank to see if it was just dirty in there. I had the fuel filter replaced about 10k miles ago. Not sure if the work got done, but I paid for it. My next step is to replace the fuel filter then start on the plugs.

Anyone else have this problem and know the solution so I'm not just throwing money at stuff? According to ford the plugs can make it to 100k.

 

[Explorer_PL]

Had exactly the same problem already twice on my 06 v8 with 135k miles. In both cases - spark plugs, read my other post about Champions 7989.

 

[feetwet]

I found mis-fires most noticeable at idle after I would drive about a half mile and hit a stop light with an erratic engine vibration. Sort of like the gas was cut off for a split second. Took a few weeks on mine before it was enough of a misfire to show up in the OBD reader.

 

[jupiterak]

Start with the cheapest, easiest fix and most common would be the fuel filter.

 

[macr6]

Had the fuel filter changed about 6 months ago. I hope they actually changed it. I went ahead and changed the plugs and so far so good. Looks like it was the plugs. I also managed to get them out without any of them breaking.

Check out this guys video and it saved me.

 

[Essex4x4]

you basically described what I told a Ford Mechanic. I took it In to the Stealership because mine is still covered under an extended none factory ford warranty. The dealer told me my coil packs were failing and they replaced all 8 of them and did a full fuel system flush.

 

[macr6]

I ended up changing out the plugs, do to some of the other threads I was reading here. That ended up fixing my problems, thank God.

 

[Essex4x4]

I ended up changing out the plugs, do to some of the other threads I was reading here. That ended up fixing my problems, thank God.

OH yea I forgot that part too. They replaced my spark plugs also

 

[asull85]

I had a similar issue, only once getting a misfire code. I changed my plugs and wires and still had the misfire but the code went away. After asking friend who is a mechanic he asked if I topped off when fueling or rounded up to the next whole dollar. He said that topping off can throw the truck off. I thought he was crazy but tried it anyway and after about a week the misfire went away completely.