Is this Happening to Everyone? 2001 F150 Misfire Saga

We have multiple misfires and lean codes on a 2001 Ford F150 with a 4.2L. The diagnosis is pretty simple, but the repair does not go according to plan. We also get a visit from Mortske Repair for some reason.
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[@giggiddy]

Wes I would imagine that what we see on our end is a fraction of the time it actually takes to choose the project, set up cameras, repair, review, edit, etc. I also know that you put a tremendous amount of effort into trying to keep your videos fresh and different. This effort is noticed by many of us and beyond appreciated. Thats the difference between a good creator and an exceptional one. You are top notch and consistent! Thanks and cheers buddy

[@michael931]

I think the projects choose him...

[@alexswenson6537]

@@michael931 yeah, I doubt he chooses to work on some of these shitboxes but that's his job so

[@ChevyConQueso]

@@alexswenson6537 If you wanna work on new shitboxes, you need to work for a stealership. Being in the rust belt certainly does not result in quality vehicles coming in the door either. I couldn't do it myself. We're spoiled down here in Texas. Half the vehicle ends up on the floor whenever we get wheels in from up north.

[@edd2771]

@@michael931 He chooses which ones t9 film and present

[@edd2771]

@@alexswenson6537 He chooses which ones to film and present

[@tiredagain6722]

All is right with the world. Max is mouse hunting, Mrs. W³ is back at work, the kiddo is in school and Wes is working on another junker!

[@berniemarkley]

Nice of Mortske to make a cameo appearance! Left you something to remember him by. 😂

[@pedroequis9396]

"I am I missing something here" ? Yep, the good old days when replacement parts exceeded OEM specs .

[@DangerousSportsForSeniors]

You have to keep the shop door closed. You never know what is going to walk in. Thanks for sharing

[@dfross87]

I remember my time in a workshop. The 3 best things you could do for productivity was to park your car down the street, leave the doors closed, and the lights off.

[@StrangeDuder]

These are my favorite videos of yours, where you diagnose the problem using tools, trial and error, and flat-out talent - and take us along for the ride. Thank you for your time and effort making these, we appreciate it. Good to see your family too.

[@Mrhalligan39]

Over the last while I find myself watching 4-6 channels like this but Wes is the only one doing modern diagnostics on day to day problems.

[@grabasandwich]

@@Mrhalligan39 I guess you haven't seen South Main Auto?

[@clacker54]

Wes Jr's little face frowning from missing the big M. Just about broke my heart. Felt all of his disappointment.

[@kilodk77]

Me to :(

[@jasoncampbell5518]

Worst part is the parts store will throw it back on the shelves and 're sell it again knowing it's bad !

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

That is one heck of a Exhaust leak 😳 everyone can hear you from miles away with that leak lol @Watch Wes Work

[@TKing2724]

20:41 "The problem with cameras is that they make everything flat" said every Instagram model ever.

[@crisprtalk6963]

Go Noles!

[@DanEBoyd]

That's how you can prove that the Earth is both round and flat. I love pissing off both sides of an argument!

[@gs1100ed]

@@DanEBoyd you are only pissing off one side at a time

[@DanEBoyd]

@@gs1100ed But I still have my choice of any of the 360 degrees...

[@TKing2724]

@@gs1100ed You could try "The Earth is flat and your mother is a [redacted]."

[@ThePsychoNad]

Nice to see Mortske (much shorter vid this time)👍

[@maxbialystock254]

had an 03 4.2 with 5 speed stick. Bought it with 193K. Drove it like I stole it to 255K. Sold it to my buddy's brother who eventually sold it o his nephew. Still going now doing hotshot deliveries all over the midwest with 500K+. Original engine. Ford should still make those.

[@JohnnyTalia]

When it comes to replacement parts, it's gotten to the point where NEW stands for Never Ever Works. Yes, it's happening to everyone. OEM parts are often on infinite backorder and aftermarket parts are like a pop-up surprise - Junk In A Box.

[@johnsmith7676]

The vermin have taken control of the entire machine, globally. Enjoy the ride folks... It's just going to get worse. Perhaps it's time to exercise due diligence? It's WAY overdue. But, I'm not holding my breath there, as most folks have become way too complacent, and have a very unhealthy, general aversion to the truth. Very sad state of affairs.

[@scottgm321]

The kiddo was so sad he missed his friend. How sweet. I have a friend with one of these F150’s no matter how bad it gets, it keeps running. Thanks for the video.

[@Dudleymiddleton]

19:50 He's just about to go into that grimace we all know and feel so well, I do it several times most working days!

[@MayaPosch]

Getting a busted replacement part is where one's mood really begins to sour. Hope the supply channels will soon be somewhat back to normal, Wes. I think I speak for all of us when I say that we prefer your chipper self, less the grumpy, dispirited version :)

[@WatchWesWork]

It's hard to stay upbeat with the current quality of the world.

[@MrTonyPiscatelle]

A grumpy WES gnaw !!!!

[@edwinpadilla6093]

Heeeey I bought 8 coil for my eight cylinder and thank to you Wes and you video I found 😀 😄 my problem every video 📹 I learn something new thank you 😊 😀 😄 🙏 Wes !!!

[@FishFind3000]

Or getting a replacement for the bad part thinking it was just a lemon only to realize they have all been made wrong.

[@MayaPosch]

@@WatchWesWork I feel you there. Within my own little world of mostly electrics components and related it's also been a bloodbath the past years, and the geopolitical climate does little to lift one's spirits. Just got to keep hanging in there, I guess.

[@barthanes1]

I've found that if you buckle the safety belt behind you, while you're testing, it will shut up some of Ferd's infernal dinging.

[@TsunauticusIV]

Kids face @ 19:51 is how I feel when I wake up in the morning and realize I have to go to work.

[@breadman-oc2lx]

Another great video . The Midwest's own, " Eric O" mechanic. Quality work and even the beard is a close resemblance.

[@Oddman1980]

That little guy looks a lot like you 😀 "I don't think we can do a lot better." I've had a few like that. Maybe just good enough to trade in.

[@kenmurray4232]

Having owned an 02 F150 5.4 I called bad coil as soon as you hooked in the diagnostic machine. As you know this was a common problem that sends Ford OBD2 into fits. Parts are a problem here in Canada being poor quality as well. Dang Chinesium crap. Thanks for sharing

[@krisley5178]

Nice work Sir! So many folks replace a bad part with a brand new part from the store. Then they think they have eliminated that part as the potential problem. "Well it cant be the alternator....it's brand new!" LOL

[@terryrogers1025]

Remove radiator cap, pull vehicle from under it, push new vehicle into place, replace radiator cap, problem solved. What you experience with bad parts out of the box is unbelievable, that has to really suck. Thanks for the ride along sir.

[@glennchartrand5411]

On industrial engines the parts situation is horrible. Had a K-21 with a bad cam sensor. ( Easy diagnosis ) Replaced the sensor , no change. My guy wasted the next 4 hours on site in front of the customer trying to figure out what he had missed. After a talk with him on the phone we decided the new cam sensor was bad , ordered another. He went back the next day , no change. Customer is now screaming mad , so I go there myself...I'm pretty sure its still the cam sensor. So I walk over to another running unit the customer had , pulled its cam sensor out and used it. The K-21 fired right up. Keep in mind that all of this happened right in front of the customer. So rather than risk a "third strike" I went back to the shop and grabbed a cam sensor out of one of our rental units. It took three more tries to get a cam sensor that worked in our rental unit. Four bad cam sensors in a row. So the customers truck was down an extra 3 days , then our rental was down another 5 days before we got a good cam sensor and with 10 hours on site and 6 travel hours that we just had to eat. So...now I test our new cam, crank ,mass airflow and other sensors in a running engine before I drive out to a customer.

[@WatchWesWork]

That's horrible.

[@glennchartrand5411]

Just in case it ever comes up The Nissan K21 and K25 have helical gear driven cams. As the engines age the helical gear causes the cam to retreat into the block bout .003" The original cam sensor starts failing at that point. So Nissan redesigned their cam sensor to have a wider operating range and didnt remove their original defective cam sensors from the supply chain. Nice. Fortunately the new redesigned sensors are aluminum clad instead of all plastic so its easy to tell if you got the new ones.

[@badmonkey3669]

4.2 is notorious for the intake gasket going bad and running lean or the most famous failure of it allows coolant to go into the cylinders through said gasket failure

[@coolhanddruid]

I havent seen any with the coolant, but the intake gaskets are definitely a problem. Ive had to replace mine, and seen it on a customers 4.2 also. They just start leaking air bad. The gasket kit is an improved design. Would bet this is the issue here, unless they have been replaced. These also have a butterfly system in the intake, and the little clips that connect them to the servo's break too.

[@jimwells4240]

Owner of a 2003 with the 4.2, 181,000 miles (all mine since new). The 4.2 is also notorious for the upper intake bolt isolator seals getting hard and all leaking like a sieve. Had the same P0174 for over a year. Finally worked up the nerve to take it apart and change the isolators. Problem solved and hasn't come back in over 5 years.

[@stevenhelgren2305]

QC is lacking so much these days......one of the reasons life gets so hard and frustrating.

[@KMaN5150]

I wouldn't trust anything made after 2020 lol

[@rodneymiddleton9624]

That's why I keep a couple known good OEM coil packs on the shelf. Here in the Southeastern US rust isn't an issue. Lots of those F150's on the road. That 4,2L is a very good engine but doesn't produce a lot of HP's. On those there's a vacuum elbow under the throttle body that will suck a hole in it and cause crazy lean codes too. Thanks Wes!

[@jacobwoodell6286]

Another big problem is the EGR tubes in the intake and cause a misfire

[@evilkidd174]

I put an MSD on my 2003 and it helps the 4.2l, along with "ahem" high flow catalytic converters. I didn't say no fuel trim (O2) sensors since as soon as you talk about "high flow" cats 99.99% of armchair mechanics start screaming you can't run without O2 sensors.

[@daithi007]

I noticed your comment about the 4.2 l engine being a very good engine. If it doesn't produce 420 horsepower why is it very good? The presence of below average Torque means very good??

[@DanEBoyd]

@@daithi007 I think he just means that they don't tend to blow up before 75,000 miles.

[@rodneymiddleton9624]

@@daithi007 It's very dependable for a daily driver with decent fuel milage. Apparently it's not the engine for you.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

That ls Swapped Buick Engine Bay is super Clean nice and tighty i like it @14:00 @Watch Wes Work

[@spelunkerd]

After a humbling misadventure I now routinely change plugs and maybe even wires whenever I change a coil. When a plug goes open, it causes huge spikes of voltage on the secondary line. The insulation of the coil can't handle the voltage, and it jumps the closest gap, frying any nearby insulation. I don't know if that is the most common cause of coil failure but it's up there. It could be intermittent so you can't rely on a scope to tell you the plug is bad. To make things worse, parts companies put new looking returned coils right back on the shelf.

[@pete4511]

The lean codes on my 2000 F150 4.2 was that every vacuum line was rotted. The worst was the pcv valve up by the firewall on the passenger side. There is a rubber elbow because the valve is so darn close to the firewall.

[@pgmurray76]

Cheap ass Ford molded the rubber vacuum line that runs over the top of the engine. The front passenger corner splits on the mold mark and sucks inward. Massive vacuum loss. O2 codes and more. So cheap. Nissan used solid aluminum tubing on their equivalent vacuum lines for the V6 engines. Now I know why.

[@mph5896]

Kudos for the 1/2 diagnostic and dealing with the customers main complaint . I could not do it without figuring out the lean issue.

[@southstreetbarbecue7875]

You'd think the scan tools would have a "disable seatbelt/door chime" option when you plug them in.

[@CAPNMAC82]

But, but, the chime is for _SAFETY_ !!11!! 😀

[@jimwells4240]

Just disable the damn thing forever. Instructions are in the owner's manual, takes all of 5 minutes.

[@stxrynn]

thanks for the clear wasted spark explanation. That old Buick is a beauty. Dad had a 2 door Wildcat when we were kids. Only burned ethyl. It was as fast as lightning. An LS with that single hole master cylinder is a death sentence at the speed she can attain. I don't understand why folks will spend 10K on an engine and still use a stick on a tire for brakes. She sure is pretty, and she'll kill you as soon as look at you.... If he stays out in western IL and Iowa, maybe he won't need to stop. Kind like west Texas. (and you addressed it! Thank you)

[@DanEBoyd]

I've never done it, but it can't be that difficult to fit, and plumb in, a stereo master cylinder.

[@captnsquid8151]

My Dad had a 1966 Buick Wild Cat 2 door. Just a nice head turning ride back in the day

[@stxrynn]

@@DanEBoyd Closest I got was plumbing in a replacement proportion valve on a 76 Ford. That wasn't the easiest job, but I got it done. I didn't know about the cupronickel stuff Wes uses way back then. Would have made life a lot easier....

[@stxrynn]

@@captnsquid8151 I liked the chicken that clucked when you went too fast. "Make it cluck dad!!!"

[@drcornelius8275]

This is exactly why I have a hard time ordering anything from Rock Auto or like. With today's parts, you need to be able to drive back to the store, swap out, and get a refund.

[@pgmurray76]

They are a clown ass middle man. If you need more of one of something, sometimes it comes from two or three locations and you pay for shipping two or three times. Dumb ass commercials.

[@mattmopar440]

Diesel Creek got his drag line running and driving he's showing you up it's time for another dragline video 😂

[@buffsheeri]

yeah I saw that...cool

[@applefordguy76]

Without even recognizing that Buick, I knew exactly who it was going to be rolling in your driveway😆

[@stanpatterson5033]

Kevin Harvick made a comment recently about "crappy-ass parts". Now that he's out of the Chase, we should make him spokesman for the Coalition For An End To Crappy Ass Parts movement. I really wanted to come up with a better name, something that could be shortened to an acronym, but my crappy-ass computer was no help.

[@jdmccorful]

The confidence in your voice makes me feel confident about the replacement replacement part! Onwards and Upwards my friend. Enjoyed. Thanks for the look!

[@paulcooper2897]

I swear, across multiple industries, since the Covid shut downs 2 years ago, the entire QC department of every manufacturer has gone on permanent vacation.

[@chrisj2848]

Great video Wes!

[@debztully1339]

Thanks for the content!

[@roxanneabbott8424]

Love your videos Wes!!!

[@briandrew8684]

Awesome video Wes

[@codysp]

Hot damn! I was wondering when old Mortske was going to make an appearance! Two of my favorite yahoos on the KZbin! 😁👏

[@dennismcclelland6358]

Love your shows

[@louisroman7134]

Thanks for sharing.

[@belowzeros]

"it does things and it got us here" lol

[@thirdcargarage2951]

We love Mortski.

[@davedemo8229]

the one you tube channel I don't skip through. thanks Wes

[@SamsShed]

Wes with the early 2000s Fords just click the seat belt button without the seatbelt in to get them to stop beeping. It just works lol…

[@liza.andkeithsimpson5081]

Great work wes

[@flinty2]

It's a great Sunday after all! Thanks for the new video!

[@JackdeDuCoeur]

Nice work

[@corydriver7634]

Awesome work. Love the Mortske cameo.

[@curtismuma1931]

Great work bud !

[@mraction8025]

Great job Wes You have a great channel.

[@kaboom4679]

Nothing like a bad right out of the box part to elevate your mood .

[@richardayres7958]

Sorry for you- the parts bin has not been kind to you recently… but it shows what a great guy you are that you spot the faults early and don’t just assume the new bits are OK and move on to load the parts cannon (like a main dealer would 😊)

[@vickilund7206]

Good stuff wes.

[@ksokie63]

Great video Wes, thanks for sharing and have a great weekend 👋

[@adamdnewman]

Wes You always make interesting videos!

[@joleneclark7229]

Wes very enjoy your program!

[@richardtaylor2449]

Thanks for the vid' and Mortske 😁

[@thirzapeevey2395]

"I do not know much about these engines..." but this is Watch Wes Work, so by the end of the video Wes will know everything there is to know about these engines. My mom had a car just like that Buick back in the mid seventies, when it was just a really used, really cheap car. It was a sleeper with a really big V-8, which was way too much car for her. Unfortunately, the frame was rusted out under the trunk, and it didn't pass PA state inspection, so it went on down the road. If it has frame twist, check below the trunk, right about the area of the rear window.

[@mikeheintz6861]

That coil looks exactly like the one my 2003 taurus with the 3.0 uses. I get about 5-6 years out of a coil. The last one had a crack in the electronic potting material that they fill the bottom of the coil up with, directly under the coil that was giving me trouble! Moisture ingress, no doubt... The other cylinder across from it was also misfiring. As soon as I saw that scan data on the Solus, I said "Case closed! Time for a new coil!" 🤪

[@UnhungHero]

Always fun to see a cameo from another KZbinr I enjoy! Thanks for the content Wes!

[@perryreasch1209]

ANOTHER GREAT JOB DONE

[@chrisomalley7502]

That live was awesome. Hope your still enjoying the nice Florida weather. Been waiting for this weeks video. Cheers

[@Richard-C]

thanks for an other great video,have a great week 👍👍👌

[@fred993a]

Wes - you often have to deal with bad new parts but you are incredible!

[@eclipsereviews4678]

As a young starting mechanic who is also studying heavy equip and diesel; I watch your channel to educate me further. Thank you for your time Wes!

[@karencary3312]

You make it look too easy. On to the next one.

[@GrantZPrice]

going through a bit of a rough patch lately. was thinking how cool it would be to see you and morstke work together on something and stumbled on this vid. thanks guys❤

[@AmericanLocomotive1]

For whatever reason, those earlier Ford OBD-2 systems just don't seem to communicate very fast. If you got a lot of PIDs going at once, they really slow down. I found that if you turn off the PIDs you don't really need, the refresh rate goes way up. I usually try to keep it to no more than 3 or 4 PIDs at a time with those EEC-V Fords.

[@iwouldrathernot4274]

I get the same slow response out of my 2000 Ranger. Its like Ford continued using the same OBD1 computing system when they swapped to OBD2. Seemed a little better on my dads 2004 f150, but not by much.

[@throttlebottle5906]

yeah, you have to narrow it way down to only what you need to see. pretty much all the old obd-1 and early obd-2 are snails.🐌

[@dosman01302]

Ol mortsky! Love that guy! Great video Wes!

[@michaelslattery2121]

2 great KZbinrs together, gotta love it.

[@danielstrachan8988]

What a neat surprise with Mortskie 😁😁👍👍

[@MrStroker11]

Loved the Hamiltonville farm meetup Wes !

[@daviddamico4288]

Nice work Wes , your the man you always get it fixed …

[@FlatThunder]

I would have shocked myself at least three times in the making of this video! The distance of the spark arc is pretty wicked! Great diagnostic video Wes! 👍😁

[@austinbahr6274]

Thanks for posting this video Wes. I was able to figure out that my ranger needed coils. Keep up the great work!

[@jamesdearman814]

YAY Mortske and Wes!! Finest Kind! And Chin!!

[@gayle4804]

What a surprise when you had Mortske On your video, I really enjoy watching how you repair engines

[@mackmackallthewayback69]

Love it, Mortske christening blacktop. Good video

[@andyd2449]

Never saw the test light spark jump test that was great preciate the edu

[@KH-fi1fn]

I bet the heating coils on the O2 sensors are shot. But the old girls don't have pid for that. So they only start to work correctly when the exhaust heats them up. Good job on the diagnostics.

[@Military-Museum-LP]

Good job Wes. You are a trusted man in your town.

[@jlucasound]

I Love To, "Watch Wes Work". Hi, Mortske Repair! The "Cameo" was awesome.

[@davidnixon5832]

good job...nice cameo appearance by mortzke, as well...

[@snuffysmiff]

They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks but I'm here to tell you all that this 64-year-old has learned quite a bit of new things simply due to Watching Wes Work! Your dedication is amazing and it is a joy to see you solve such difficult problems that would put me in the nut house! Love your channel and I so wish we lived closer-I actually got a 'service ESC' dash warning light on the wife's 2010 Chevy this very evening. I live in a very rural area and finding a competent mechanic around here is next to impossible these days...

[@shanes3060]

Its becoming half the battle as technicians with the state of quality control for replacement parts, good on you for sticking with it and diagnosing the issue, love the content!

[@seastacker8582]

The crusher? That’s a $6500 truck up here in Michigan. Even with the rockers gone, that’s considered early stage rust. 😎

[@jimwells4240]

Amen, brother....

[@jamesbruno5896]

Nice diag Wes!

[@Crazick]

I see Morske, I automatically thumbs up!

[@stucook8622]

Mortske and Chin come to visit Northern Illinois! Thanks for the great video Wes! Its Its always interesting. 🐾🍺

[@htownblue11]

HOLY SMOKES ITS MORTSKE!!!! Great diag on the Ford.

[@kr8219]

"Sorry about your asphalt." Lol. You and Mortske are "must watch" videos.

[@tylermacconnell217]

Love the channel. Hope it makes you a bunch of extra income. Good personality, explanations, and interesting vehicles and problems. Thanks.

[@mjmcomputers]

The benefit of a silver vehicle is they sell patch panels by the roll.

[@WatchWesWork]

For cheap too!

[@joelaughlin2815]

Scrounged up ole 54 gmc pickup in early 70s, cleaned carb, tightened steering, shift levers, valve job in 80s, buddy still drives it weekly! Pump accelator couple times, bam, starts every time!