Need Help - Missing on Cylinders 2,3, and 5

[Dewayne]

Last weekend I put new spark plugs and wires on my 1997 Ford Explorer, 4.0, 2WD, SOHC. It ran great for a few days, then on Saturday it started missing badly and the Check Engine light came on. I took it to Autozone, and they said the codes were that it was missfiring on cylinders 2, 3, and 5.

They suggested I regap my plugs to .054 and try it again. I did, with no change. I then took the plug wires back and returned them for a new set. Not much of a change at all. I then tried a new coil pack, with no noticeable difference. It is still missing and running pretty rough.

Any ideas? Could it be the timing, or even the timing belt tensioner? The reason I am asking is because there was a squealing sound that I thought was my alternator for about a month prior to this. At about the same time I noticed the squealing had stopped was about the same day this happened. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.

 

[falls guy]

Are you positive the wires are on the right plugs? CPS or coil pack perhaps.
Peace

 

[Dewayne]

Are you positive the wires are on the right plugs? CPS or coil pack perhaps.
Peace

I actually just came back inside from checking that, just to be sure. I checked some of the older posts pertaining to the firing order, and have them the same (as in the other posts)


3 6
2 5
1 4
FRONT OF ENGINE


3 4
2 6
1 5
FRONT OF ENGINE


It's a OHV, so hopefully that's correct, that's the way they are. Thanks...

 

[Dewayne]

Nevermind, I figured it out. They had given me Bosch Platinum spark plugs. I took them back and replaced them with Motorcraft Double-Platinum plugs, and it runs like new again.

 

[rscamaro73]

thanks for that post

Thanks for this post. I got a guy with a 98 4.0L sohc 2wd X that's having the same problems with the SAME plugs.

I just told him to get the Motorcraft 2x platinums.

BTW....WHICH ONE is the firing order.....and how is the coil pattern laid out ??

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Here you go:

-Drew