I posed this question about a month ago but milk, a three year old, and computers don't go together well. I have a stock 1996 4.6 that is giving me fits with an intermittent cutout problem. I have replaced the spark plugs, coils, fuel filter, and air filter all at the same time. The spark plugs on the drivers bank of the engine were worn out and the plugs on the passenger bank were fine. The plug wires have 50k on them and look new still. The car misses on acceleration, and when cruising it misses on any gas pedal pressure until I let off on it. At idle, it stutters but does not stall. There is no play in the needle on the tach while it is missing, which I thought seemed odd but maybe the miss isn't electrical. I have noticed a burning smell when opening the door and getting out of the car and it seems this smell is coming from the center of the car, but it doesn't smell like sulfur. The trans shifts and runs fine so I'm sure it is not a bad trans. Also, when the car is started after sitting overnight, it starts but is slow to idle up, like it doesn't want to run but then catches and idles fine. Sometimes when starting it there is a small pop sound from under the hood, and the car doesn't start, but starts right up on the next attempt and the pop sound is audible inside the car. Also, this vehicle has 150k on it. Anyone have any idea's?
Has anyone else had this problem?
- Thread starter Robs96
- Start date
stangGT97
New Member
Well with 150K, it is possible your motor is exhibiting the signs of compression loss. On your last oil change, did you notice if the oil smelled of fuel? If you are getting blowby past the rings, you will get fuel into your crank case... this will then wash oil off the rings, and further propagate the loss of compression. You will feel a misfire, most likely because your plugs will get fouled out very quickly. Also, I believe engines with one or more cylinders losing compression will be hard to crank when cold. Are you throwing any codes when the car is misfiring? Are you sure it isn't detonation? Svttech76 is the misfire master, thats where I learned what I know... I've been battling a 1400rpm misfire for a while myself, though it seems to have cleared up 
No codes?
How is the IAC? Have you changed or cleaned it? That could be your idle problem but generally I don't think it would cause the miss.
The plug wires may look good but I'd look at those a little closer. Any sort of cut or broken boot could be allowing an arc and causing the miss...which would also cause the fuel blow-by the above post describes. Get an ohm meter and check for continuity in each wire...manipulate the wire in all directions to make sure there isn't a break in the conductor.
You need to get the misfire problem fixed then address the blow-by effects by changing the oil.
How is the IAC? Have you changed or cleaned it? That could be your idle problem but generally I don't think it would cause the miss.
The plug wires may look good but I'd look at those a little closer. Any sort of cut or broken boot could be allowing an arc and causing the miss...which would also cause the fuel blow-by the above post describes. Get an ohm meter and check for continuity in each wire...manipulate the wire in all directions to make sure there isn't a break in the conductor.
You need to get the misfire problem fixed then address the blow-by effects by changing the oil.
I have cleaned the iac and there is no fuel smell in the oil. I do have code p1443 with the mil light on. I did just buy a purge flow sensor but Ford said that it wouldn't cause misfiring or idling problems. The Haynes manual says different though. I won't be able to install the part or drive the vehicle for a couple of days but a compression test is in the near future. The car seems to run better in cooler weather with fewer misses but in the heat it cuts out alot and when I needed to run the a/c it only magnified the problem. I wondered if it wouldn't be an o2 sensor or a clogged cat on that side of the block even though no trouble code came up for either. Also, when I'm driving and go wot, the car runs and accelerates good. It just surges at cruise speeds and cuts out on accel and idle. It most noticeably cuts out at 40mph but bogs on any acceleration and runs rough until I let off the throttle and then it nearly smoothes out.
RandyStinchcomb
New Member
Robs96 said:
well ther are 2 parts needed to fix the code p1443. 1 is the canister purge solenoid (E6ZZ-9C915-A) and the other is the canister thermister (F57Z-14A606-BA). also your problem could go further into the EVAP system, like the charcoal canister itself could be bad or one of the vent valves on the tank. has the car sat for awhile?
deftsound
Please ask me how much my supercharger cost
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