Ford F150 4.2L & 3.8L Windstar Hard To Diagnose Misfires

[@andyvasquez7890]

And 6 years later still the freaking man!! Appreciate this video!!!

[@daviddavis4178]

This was exactly the problem in my problem...had a reoccurring cyl.1 miss and cyl.5 miss cleaned out the ports and now no more miss!!! Ty bro huge help!!!

[@Vandal50001]

And.. 5 years later~~ YOUR THE MAN! Thank you!

[@MustangMedic]

Dude, awesome video, I believe you may have fixed out misfire problem on our 3.8 MustangMedic Mustang.

[@Ristermogers]

You are the man!!!!! Those are the exact symptoms in my ole fishing truck, was fixing to drop it off later today and pay somebody else to mess with it......gonna try this here in a bit and see what happens.....

[@rzjk301]

To prevent this problem, place an oil catch can inline with the PCV valve to the intake. The oil from the crankcase is going into the intake and collecting in these EGR ports. When I did this 9 years ago, I no longer have this issue. I recently removed my upper intake to replace the IMRC. The EGR ports were still clean.

[@ToyodaMaster-tq6ht]

Thank you sir! I’ve got a ‘99 f150 4.2l. Runs perfectly, fresh tune up. Zero misfire at any rpm, still has P0301. Gotta be the egr port blocked.

[@islandrider9837]

Awesome information that you can't find anywhere else. 👍

[@bcr003]

Cross fingers you get this. You nailed it! I've replaced everything...plugs, wires, distributor...still had misfire. Seen your video and BAM, now I know what it is (cause I unplugged vacuum and all better). QUESTION: can I just keep EGR vacuum unplugged and drive without worry of damaging something? BIG Thanks for making your video!

[@robertchambers4466]

8 years later and he's the man help me out. House fixed. Put plugs and wires on one I bought for my daughter that turns 17 to drive but turns out pulling the intake off. Hope that also fixes the 174 and 171 codes I have in it. Also I'm pretty sure it will

[@don2deliver]

On the early ones, the large aluminum runners were a pain. We had an Electrician with a fleet near replacement point and I was able to remove the egr valve and alternate carb cleaner with compressed air and get more even EGR flow probably just got cylinder 1 and 3 orifice cleaner. It was enough to reduce stumble and eliminate p0302 to get passed emissions.

[@42Goopy42]

I have had very few issues with my 4.2. I treated it like junk for 2 years as a stupid teenager forgetting to get oil changes. Now I treat it better but have only needed about $1000 in parts and repairs for the 6 years I have had the thing. I have been chasing a misfire on this engine for a year and half. "oh do this and do that and it will go away" and it never went away. Having replaced the egr valve last year, this makes sense as the culprit. Other than that this engine is a slug but keeps on going and going.

[@joshnorris90]

Thanks for the video! My grandmother has a 02 windstar with the 3.8L. Put new plugs in it and wires. Runs perfect when its cool. When it warms up, it runs like a 3 legged cat and wont hardly take off. Same thing with my great-grandmothers 07 Freestar! I have racked my brain over it. Im going to see if this is their issue tonight!!

[@BlakeHirst]

Little late but what was your fix

[@joshnorris90]

It ended up being failed coil packs. However both of those vans are in the junkyard now. The 07 went thru 3 transmissions!@@BlakeHirst

[@mikeolivares5700]

Thank you for video that was the problem with my 2003 Ford Windstar had a cylinder 4 misfire

[@emanuelnamseth1469]

I changed all plugs, and one was oily build up. Rest were ok. Would egr issue cause that?? 160,000 2001 3.8 windstar. Thanks for the informative video. 🤔🤔

[@terryschmidt1845]

Found this tip! Exact symptoms on 2005 F150 4.2 v6. cyl. 3 misfires. Replaced coil pack, plugs, wires, compression checks good. Disconnected EGR truck runs good. Pulled the clam shell expecting to find plugged EGR ports, but to my surprise there where none. Replaced IRCM assy while I was in there put it all back together still fails the same. Wondering where I go from here? Appreciate any ideas, this tip by FordTechMakuloco was dead on, though I had it.

[@davidw2731]

Did you end up getting it fixed?

[@LifeBloodMarketing]

And while you're back there, might as well change those plastic clips on the back of the secondary butterfly actuator. 6 dollar plastic clips, not fun to change when the little metal arm pops out, need a little arm to put back on without pulling everything apart.

[@jvst20051]

But buy only oem ford clips there been too many complains about aftermarket falling loose

[@blackrockbrewing5141]

You are amazing, thank-you for the info!

[@arciefan]

01 f150 4.2v6 intermittent misfires for months, then constant few weeks back. Mine was 2 bad fuel injectors and a bad coil pack. Runs like a new one now

[@paulsosa1872]

I have the 4.2 with the aluminum upper intake I've gone through everything replacing like crazy trying to figure out my miss fire. Can I get to these ports without removing the upper intake?

[@bobmcbob9603]

Soooo… just to play devils advocate why not just leave the egr vac line off, plug it off and carry on? I was thinking of putting in a delete anyhow?

[@alb12345672]

pre 96 4.6L engines had a similar issue. They had a solid AL intake until it became plastic.There was an EGR crossover in the back that would fill with carbon. Eventually it would plug the egr tube which is in a terrible place behind the engine! It would give a P1407 code. Also, the engines had bad valve seals which made it worse

[@FordTechMakuloco]

alb12345672 Oh I remember doing those they were a pain to get to is all I remember and they packed with carbon for sure.

[@philstat100]

Thank You for the great video and information. I have a 2003 ford f150 4.2l idle is smooth, try to accelerate and the engine hesitates and backfires. I removed the vacuum hose and no change. New maf, tps, coil pack, wires and plugs. Any suggestions? Again Thank You

[@salvatormartorelli408]

Great videos. Quick question on my 02 Windstar I replaced the coolant by pass tube under the clam shell and cleaned all the EGR ports with a wire and Throttle body cleaner spraying it in each port. After reassembly I forgot to initially connect the ERG control electrical connector and when I started it the idle was surging after about 10 seconds. I then connected the electric connector but after restarting it I had the same problem. Should I do the relearn procedure for the PCM you showed in another video? Any other suggestions? Thanks

[@divasmom65]

What would happen if you just left it unplugged ?

[@jvst20051]

Also while you already remove the whole plenum also clean the small throttle runners

[@joevignolor4u949]

I have one of these engines in my 2003 Windstar with 236,000 miles on it. It runs perfectly with no problems at all. However, would it be a good idea to pull the upper clamshell off anyway and open up all the EGR ports? With all that mileage the 6 holes must have at least some buildup in them.

[@jvst20051]

Its always a good idea to do this once a year preventive maintenance goes a long way

[@jvst20051]

Its always a good idea to do this once a year preventive maintenance goes a long way

[@Moneymaker743]

Hope you can help me I got a 2002 ford f150, I change my sparks plugs (got from ford dealership gap them at 53) and removed my fuel rail and fuel injectors ( got some sea foam and put it in my fuel tank to see if it the injectors needed to be clean but didn't work) then I installed everything back together. my truck at first makes a very hard shake and so when I drive it its fine but when I come to a stop it continues to shake and there is no code for a missfire or anycode, any help would be appreciated.

[@fallonboy8499]

Hello 2002 F150 4.2 140k miles. Codes P0316 and P0302. Engine misfires when I start it hot. Only misfires until I rev the engine 2 times. Cold startup is fine. I have changed plugs, wires and coil pack, MAF clean and air filter. I was going to pull the injector but getting at it is a bitch. Any suggestions thank you.

[@Cyberstrike98]

So does this coincide with a TSB I found about my 4.2 pickup? I believe it was 05-22-6. something to do with replacing the port gaskets and bolt grommets.

[@unit9212]

I've got a 08-f150 v6 with 4.2. Getting misfire on cyl 3. No check engine light. Truck hesitates and jumps when decelerating around 45-55. I removed the vacuum line from EGR and issues stopped. Was going to clean the EGR ports you speak of in this video, but I don't know how to remove the "clamshell". Can you help?

[@keithberryman7000]

Some similar issues, kinda rough, stumbling, at highway speed, hesitation sputtering then accelerates strong, even sputtering backfire at incline or curve but will accelerate strong after stumbling.. Got a fuel relay? On cross member by spare coming today, coil / coil pack singular unit on order.. baffling plugs & wires replaced

[@fromohio7956]

hello fordtechmakuloco, would it be a valid test to apply vacumm to the EGR valve to see if my misfre comes back? Its intermittent but always on the same cyl.(no.5)

[@A-mechanics-review-4U]

From Ohio updates

[@MasterChief-sl9ro]

Just had one come in. They had the EGR unplugged and the problem went away. So they thought. It also had the broken IMRC bushing missing. So the rods would not open\close the valves. A known issue with these engines...

[@guayaco-dm3vu]

Great tip..I remember my teacher bugging the egr system at the ford school for a miss...haha that is good to know but have never come across one yet.

[@FordTechMakuloco]

Well the windstars are allot more common for this, we used to get this concern allot and can really mess with your head as to why it is misfiring.

[@guayaco-dm3vu]

Yea we really scratch our head in class at that time,but being at a Lincoln dealer we don't really get a lot of ford line cars...

[@rzjk301]

I think this is whats causing my P0306 issue but I cleaned the ports several times. I wander if there are chambers inside of the lower intake that are clogged from high miles. I used wire brush in the ports so i know they are clean. maybe i need to flush with carb cleaner using a fine straw in the chambers... hmmm

[@FordTechMakuloco]

Easy way to tell is pull the vacuum line to the egr valve and drive it you will know right away. I show everything in the video.

[@rzjk301]

FordTechMakuloco ok thanks

[@donaldgrovesnookjr.4610]

'98 f150 4.2l - 306 and 174 codes. Cleared the codes and pulled the egr vacuum line and the codes came back the same. What should I try next??

[@darrencuffy7365]

I want to buy a 1998 Ford windstar van it is misfiring any idea on how much the job will coast to get fixed.

[@FordTechMakuloco]

+Darren Cuffy If it is misfiring then the concern is likely just due to secondary ignition over this concern.

[@hm3426]

+Darren Cuffy I did that job to my Windstar myself with the help of this very same video. The Isolator bolts 6 of them costs $34.00. The upper and middle intake gasket cost $29.00. The job might look hard but it is easy. Just watch these videos Check the codes to see what sensor are bad before doing this job. On my van I put all 4 sensor first. That did not take care of my P0171 and P0174 codes. Then, I put the mass air flow sensor that did not take care of those codes. Checked for vacuum leaks none. After all that it was time to open the intake up. The gaskets and the Isolator bolts were bad. put the new ones in and gasket problem solved. And I past inspection. So all in all I spent $450.00 But I got the problem solve. The oxygen sensor I bought them at part geek.com $128.00.plus $ 100.00 to have them installed I saved a lot of money. Mechanics some of them will steal your money. Now, my van runs like new. For missfire check coil it usually cracks. Check spark plug wires and spark plus. Good luck.

[@garyp1930]

Right on the money .. Good man

[@gloomy2931]

I'll try this I'm working on an Econoline that's misfiring on cylinders 1-3 and has a bunch of engine codes I put new motorcraft plugs it runs good at first start but eventually starts to miss

[@ducks_love_bread]

My 98 windstar has blown 3 new coil packs when I first install it the check engine turns off I warm it up and turn it off and the second time i start the car it misfires and the light comes back on please help

[@shanelack8717]

Got a 2000 f150 4.2 quit running t Fuel pump and filter fine replaced cpu injectors are not working any ideas

[@matthewsmith7251]

My 99 f 150 4.2 keeps comimg up code to cam sensor replace it and it runs fine until it warms up then it starts to miss belive it could be this

[@freddymixter9620]

MATTHEW SMITH , Did you ever figure it out. My truck is doing the same?

[@josepena1046]

Thanks man

[@Rockdaground]

Hope you can help me. My van idles at 1500 rpms when parked and the A/C on. I don't know why. Idles fine when I turn A/C off right below 1000 rpms. Thank You

[@FordTechMakuloco]

What year? That almost always indicates a large vacuum leak, have you check vacuum hoses and that pip that goes into the back of the intake tube as shown in this video? No check engine light? While it is running unplug the iac and see if it dies.- Ford Freestar P0171 P0174 Runs Lean & Dies Out

[@LITTLEBRAT775081]

I have a 4.2 kicking my butt . It misfires when driven hard and the only thing I have left is the cam position sensor but I can't get the stupid sensor out because of the metal cooling line in the way . I prayed it was something else but I am all out of options :(

[@standhd]

The metal cooling line is your heater hose Y pipe. It will come off with some wiggling, but be sure to have a pan available because you will have coolant spilling out since it’s attached to the water pump.

[@LITTLEBRAT775081]

@@standhd It actually started to bend and I did not want to break it . so I put it off for another day . however ty for info it is very informative :)

[@standhd]

@@LITTLEBRAT775081 Yea, I did a camshaft sensor and synchronizer replacement and that Y pipe was the last thing in my way after I removed the EGR piping.

[@aaronarmelin616]

I am working e250 4.2 don't have misfire codes. I have lean codes weird ones too. bank 1&2 02 sensors upstream are indicating a lean condition, intermittent maf code, and bank 2 sensor 2 is respond as it should. where should I start?

[@oneyaker]

Upper air intake manifold vacuum leak. Do a smoke test. The bolts fail to hold the gaskets down. It will cause p0171 p0174 p1131 p1151. rarely has anything to do with both 02 sensors.

[@andrethegiant2080]

my 3.8l mustang has a big problem , it misfires when it wants to and it will run rich with no cel codes I changed the spark plugs and wires twice I changed the pack to with no resolve I'm at a stand still cause ford told me they couldn't find anything wrong , the other day I drove along train tracks and my cel came on blinking and I pulled over and turned it off and waited a bit then turned it on with no cel code?? I had my ac on and it went hot? upon turning it back on it went cold again? im stuck :( help.

[@FordTechMakuloco]

+Antonioq Hernandez Have you followed this procedure to disable egr? How do you know it is running rich?

[@andrethegiant2080]

I had thought it was my egr but how would I definitely know? and it smells upon driving and sometimes on ignition.

[@bladetherapy3797]

Great tip, thank you

[@jtmartin8445]

I've got 2 codes on my 4.2l got cylinder 5 misfire and misfire on first 1000 revolutions

[@Mebob2001]

wow.. thats quite the design for sure!, i think honda's did something very simular. good old emissions....

[@FordTechMakuloco]

Yeah I don't miss the egr valves from back in the day, it's all taken care of by the VCT's now, but of course they have their own issue.

[@Mebob2001]

oh boy do they ever! tho i don't see alot of phasers in the GM world, alot more chain failures and solanoid's. i really hate over head cam engines.... but thats where the world is going! lets push to much power out of an I4 and let it blow up!

[@atx-cvpi_99]

Kevin Rogers The GM 3.6 V6 is notorious for timing chain failures.

[@Rockdaground]

Very good information thanks

[@davidcramer90]

Would be the same thing for the 3.8 mustang

[@jimmosier3548]

EGR recirculates unburnt exhuast gasses to reduce emissions and slightly assist with gas mileage. EGR also INCREASES intake temperature, as HOT exhaust gas is being forced into the intake. You have no idea what you're talking about regarding the function of EGR. Stop talking.

[@jimmyjakes1823]

No, Jim, you're the one who's wrong. Look, when is the cylinder hottest, during intake or combustion? It's during combustion. So if the engine is pumping inert exhaust gas back into the cylinder, there's less O2 available for combustion. The ECU compensates by injecting less gas. You have less combustion occurring in the same amount of space, and therefore a lower peak cylinder temp during combustion.

[@Alex-Zone]

I just had to wonder out loud which Jim you're speaking to; are you talking to yourself again Jim LOL cheers!

[@Moonless6491]

I despise these engines. I think they are even worse engines than the 5.4 3 valves. Nothing is ever working right. If it isn't electronic, then it's mechanical. Always a rattle under load, always leaking oil everywhere from every place. I've had two 4.2 engines and both have been an absolute headache. Hardly can go a day without a different check engine code.