Help! X has been down too long

[IgotTwo]

After replacing egr valve, cleaning the MAS, and IAC and lookiing around for leaks, I thought I had a rough idle licked. Idle seemed to settle in pretty good

But I still noticed an exhaust flutter which sounded like it was coming from the passenger side. (But NO CEL)

About 15 minutes into my first test drive , CEL FLASHES and I pull PO302 2 and PO302 4 (misfire) off with my scanner.

This is a rebuilt with only 6k which has a new coil, plugs and wires.
So..... I think 2 & 4 are non opposing on the coil...so I threw on a new set of wires just for a start . Cleared the codes...drove it around ...same codes

The plugs have 6k on them (when the engine was replaced) So I pulled them too... gap and condition looked good.

I seem to have cascading problems and I can't get out from under them. grrrrrrr
Any sugesstions for misfire code on 2 & 4?
What am I missing?

 

[A91EBexplorer4x4]

swap plugs 2 and 4 for 3 and 6.

 

[IgotTwo]

I’m going after this with a vengeance!!!!
To date :
I scrubbed the posts on this site for clues. I also found a good article on the web at a “SAE type site. “ It was a good war story about a problem misfire code, so I’m following some of his suggestions.

Started the thing at night and looked for visible “crossfire arching” - none noted

Pulled out the plugs (only 6K on them), punched pretty holes in a piece of cardoard, numbered em and took a real close look to read the clues.
I not wasting time putting the old ones back in. Even if the new ones work, I think something is still out of balance ….i.e. as in, what caused it?

I read that a slight brown streak in the porcelain just under the electrode with the remaining porcelain bright white - was a good burning plug. The read out:
Plug Gap Condition
1 .50 Looked good
2. .50 Looked not so good – had slight brown “porcelain burn” but the remaining porcelain was noticeable "off white" like it was starting to build carbon….. not wet
3. .50 Looked good
4. .50 Looked good little light on the brown streak
5. .48 Looked good (?.48? Could be Ford’s handy work when they put in the rebuilt grrrrrr!)
6. .50 Looked good BUT no porcelain burn. It was clean white no brown burn ??????

I also noticed the passenger bank brown streak was off center from electrode - must be that waste spark thing.

#2 and #4 were the ones throwing off a misfire codes
So…….. #2 has some problem! #6 ?? I don’t know! why no brown streak? #4 ????why a misfire

I still trying figure out what this told me.
Carb cleanerin the gas and new plugs, go in tomorrow, I’ll check the coils and compression if I have too and I hope I’m not pulling the plenum to look for leaks

Any comments or thoughts

 

[A91EBexplorer4x4]

last comment i was joking around.
Take the coil and check it with a meter. there used to be a site and it might even be in a repair manual on how to test it and stuff.

 

[IgotTwo]

I know! Kick me when I'm down (just kidding)

Checked coils before...I know the drill
I MIGHT GET A DRILL... right through the block.
Should I "disconnect the negative terminal on the battery" first ? Now I'm joking haha
Back to the problem!!!! Heads down!!!!
This is the Ford from hell.

 

[section525]

I'm thinking its your coil pack. When the engine is running, trying pulling off the #2 plug wire and note if the engine run differently with it off. Do the same with #4.

I just had another coil pack (the second one this time)(I have two). What I did to test it was actually pull the wires off the coil pack while it was running. You'll see the spark shootin across the pack to the wire. Like I said, the coil packs have been my problem twice now. I'd give them a try.

PS. Don't get electricuted (and if you do, don't blame me! )

 

[IgotTwo]

Great minds think alike!
New plugs went in this morning.
I started it and passenger bank knocked.
Sounded like a misfire.
I put my neon spark test on 2 and 4 (and 1 and 3..the last two for hahas)
#2 no spark
tested #2 wire for resistance (it was brand new wire...might as well not miss something.)

Off came the coil.
Secondary resistant was at limit on 2-5 pair. 1-6 and 3-4 tested identical and within range (I hope I got that right).... the operative was the secondary was out on #2 tower pair. Primary coil reading were consisitant and within range.

It looks like the ...again.
Does anyone ever get them tested at shop vs a straight meter test? This one was on my first engine which never ran with it on and transfered to the rebuilt for in .

Makes me think why it went of quick?

 

[IgotTwo]

I"M GOOD TO GO!!!!
vrrrrrummmm! vrrrrummmmm!

Bad coil - it was only 9? months old - who could have figured? BUT I got free replacement under warranty.

Lesson learned:
Save your receipts!
After the EGR , I should have jumped right to my neon spark tester to test each cyclinder.
One problem can mask another.... like Caesar divide and conquer even if you have to start over and go back to basics
CEL is worthless on some EGR emission problems.

Finally,
Limit goofy questions on Explorerforum.com even if you are glazed over with the problem... you may run the risk of being excommunicated or deported to the "KIA forum"

Thanks to all for your help