Rough idle... *Help*

[Mike]

Hey guys..

welp tonight i noticed my truck was idling rough when in gear.. if i was say at a stop sign every few seconds it would *kick* like the motor was missing. it got where i was going shut the truck off for about 30 min and when i went to go home it was running really rough. when excel the truck runs very rough.. it feels like it is missing but i know its not.. nothing on my truck has been changed in a while. I have had a CEL for my EGR valve for a while now *3-4 months* i noticed while driving home during this the cel light would blink 2 times then stay solid for a few seconds and then blink agin (dont know if that means anything) I know in the past the cel was just solid. Knowing i have had old codes in the cpu i did a reset and went for a drive.. the truck still is running really bad but no cel.. i drove a good 10-15 miles.. now mind you i also used 1/4 of a tank of gas in that 20 min 10-15 miles i drove.. anyone have any ideas? im thinking Mass are flow sen? i pulled a few of my wires and they look clean the plugs them selfs look clean also i did not pull any plugs as most of you know its a ***** to do on a v8 and its 1:30am. would my egr valve do this?

thanks

Mike

 

[Mike]

sorry for those of you that dont know my truck its a 2001 v8 with 47k on it..

 

[Howard]

If your getting a CEL then get the codes read first. Then see what they indicate. But quite often poor idle is the result of the IAC sticking. You can clean it with some success but most people find that they have to replace it. When bad it does not throw a CEL itself but may cause other codes like running rich. It could just be running very rich as if it were on choke all the time. That may be caused by the IAT or the thermostat or temp sensor. Get the codes and go from there.

 

[Mike]

welp the problem is i reset the cpu and now it wont throw another CEL

 

[Mike]

welp as per the ford dealer (service dept) when my cel is blinking 2 times then solid then blinking 2 times it means cylnder missfire.. so hmm.. what would that be? could i need a tune up? i have had my x for 47k and never did a tune up.. would that fix this?

 

[Mike]

one of you guys have to know.. come on!!!!!

 

[TPLYNCH]

Pull your plugs and wires. What kind of shape are they in???

 

[Glacier991]

<general musing here> Why is it the first thing people want to do when they get a check engine light turn on is to clear the computer and waste all that valuable stored data that would pinpoint where there problem was coming from? (big sigh).

Happy Exploring

Chris

 

[DasFrem]

Clogged Fuel injector maybe? Try some FI cleaner.

 

[rydinhigh]

I would check the plugs I had one go bad on me

 

[Mike]

still same issue.. i checked the MAS it looks clean.. i changed my air filter.. also pulled a plug and all looks good any other ideas?

 

[snocross1985]

Even if your CEL is not coming on anymore, it stores the codes for like 50 starts or something like that. Pull the codes cause it should still be stored in your truck. Good luck finding what is up.

 

[Glacier991]

That's true, unless you clear them. Then you are blind. Always a brilliant idea... clearing unchecked codes. <sigh>

 

[FLYIN 5.0]

You say you pulled only one plug? You need to pull them all and check them.

 

[Mike]

welp i went to autozone today and on the way the cel came on agin.. the code is.

Missfiring cylinder #8.. so im going to pull that plug tomorrow.. or maybe sat.. i dont have time tomorrow and we all know how much fun it is to pull plugs in a v8!
can i change just one wire and plug ? or do i have to do them all?

i pulled the wire off the plug and the plug is black.. so i guess it is the plug not the wire.. im going to just to the plug and then see if that fixes it.. whats the gap on a v8? the guy at pepboys says .55 i think..


Mike

 

[X~FACTOR]

It's always recommendable to change all the plugs all at one time. Plug wires as well. An exception maybe if the plugs are only a month or two months old.

 

[Mike]

welp i changed plug #8 and checked the wire and guess what? same problem.. the plug i took out was BLACK! so im back to square 1! woohoo! and cel is back on also so i need to get the code pulled at autozone... anyone have any ideas? would my 2001 need a tune up?


Mike

also whats the gap on a plug for a 2001?

 

[Glacier991]

To begin with get the code read. Not the description (in other words don't come back and say "The guy at Autozone said blah blah"... get us the code number ... eg. PO445 or whatever.) I'll say it again - get us the CODE NUMBER! Come back with THAT, and THEN ask for ideas. Will be much more focused and useful for all concerned, especially you. Black plugs are a rich or misfire situation. We all want to help out but you need to help us help you. CEL CODES!

Happy Exploring

Chris

 

[rotorhed]

Coil Pack? 2001 is new for one of those to go out but you do have 47K miles.
I had similar problems on our 97 Sport. Power loss on the highway and it would idle rough, stall out if you didn't keep the revs up. It felt like half power on the highway and CEL came on (no blinking). I also noticed really bad fuel mileage about a week before the rough running started.

I took it to the dealer thinking it was fuel related (Fuel Press Reg) and they said it was the coil pack and also will take new plugs ($450 ! included the diagnostic time I freakin hope so )
The real pisser is I just replaced the stock coil pack about 3 months ago with a Standard Motors coil pack just keep everything trouble free. Truck is at the dealers now and I'll get some more "info" on what happened.......

 

[Mike]

welp im going to do a tune up today.. what plugs and wires should i use? im not looking for anything special out of the wires and plugs.. i just need better MPG. any one have any thing they have used are are really happt with? let me know..


Mike