Infamous water in the spark plug wells

[Steven G Webb]

Shortly after buying this 07 Explorer Limited (like a mile from the lot after the purchase) I developed a misfire. Turned out I believe to initially stemmed from the lot guy washing it. Did some quick reading here and elsewhere online and pulled the #7 and #8 coils to find clear water in the wells. I dried those and everything was fine until just a few days ago when we had a torrential rain and as I predicted the miss returned. I dried out the wells again and inspected the boots. Looks like some coils have been replaced on an as-needed basis but for the most part the boots all appeared cracked a little and showing signs of age.

Today I replaced all 8 boots, applied some dielectric grease into each and put some silicone sealant on the windshield wiper gutter clips that appear to be common for leaking onto the coils. Hopefully keeping up with the $5 replacement parts will help prolong the life of the $50 coils.

Just a note of thanks for all who contribute here, I really appreciate being able to tap into such a wealth of information.

 

[Bill MacLeod]

I think you have solved your issue. But if you have the time and proper tools, remove the plugs that had water in the wells. Clean and add anti seize to the plug sleeves. Make sure to follow the TSB for plug removal.

And welcome to the site.

 

[Steven G Webb]

I think you have solved your issue. But if you have the time and proper tools, remove the plugs that had water in the wells. Clean and add anti seize to the plug sleeves. Make sure to follow the TSB for plug removal.

And welcome to the site.

Thanks for the added advice and welcome.

 

[Steven G Webb]

Shortly after buying this 07 Explorer Limited (like a mile from the lot after the purchase) I developed a misfire. Turned out I believe to initially stemmed from the lot guy washing it. Did some quick reading here and elsewhere online and pulled the #7 and #8 coils to find clear water in the wells. I dried those and everything was fine until just a few days ago when we had a torrential rain and as I predicted the miss returned. I dried out the wells again and inspected the boots. Looks like some coils have been replaced on an as-needed basis but for the most part the boots all appeared cracked a little and showing signs of age.

Today I replaced all 8 boots, applied some dielectric grease into each and put some silicone sealant on the windshield wiper gutter clips that appear to be common for leaking onto the coils. Hopefully keeping up with the $5 replacement parts will help prolong the life of the $50 coils.

Just a note of thanks for all who contribute here, I really appreciate being able to tap into such a wealth of information.

UPDATE:
Since May 2019 I've had worry free trouble free miles. My wife and I took a nearly 3K mile vacation trip in September without a glitch. Once back home and in the workaday groove I stopped into store for about 5 min and when I started the truck back up I had a misfire, solid dead misfire. CEL flashed and some cylinder dead as a hammer. Local parts store would not scan for codes due to COVID-19 (Two of them running all over the store without masks, but corporate said they could not scan OBD codes). First assumption was that the #8 was the culprit. Looked at the COPs and the #8 was definitely a different brand (the tops of 6 appear to be Motocraft but #8 and later I find #4 were aftermarket). Threw the $60 part at the problem, working blind. Did not fix it. Found out a co-worker and general techno geek had Forscan and cables with him at work. Turned out the #4 was misfiring. Put the old coil on that cylinder and the problem went away, the light cleared after two days of driving.

Sometimes it is a simple fix. Never use webMD to diagnose a headache and don't look too hard at horror stories of engine maintenance/repairs. Once in a while it is the simple expected predictablefix.

Thanks everyone for your contributions here, this forum has beneficial and informative to me.

 

[ThunderbirdSport]

SOme guys here (myself too) carry a known good coil pack and some basic tools in case this happens away from home...and it will happen, sooner, later, but hopefully not at all.


As an old, wise gentleman once told me, years ago......."son, important parts do not fail in your driveway"...

 

[Explorer_PL]

Yep, that's what I do
7mm socket and 1/4" ratchet.
I had an aluminum gutter installed under the cowl, need to dig it out in the garage somewhere. Took it off when I was pulling the intake.