QuestionGood evening sir,
I have recently been having a problem with my 1995 Crown Victoria (base model) with 188,000 miles (4.6L). Throughout all speeds, the engine seemed to be missing (in and out of overdrive). Sometimes the sputtering was so bad that I had to let up on the gas to let it "clear" and then it was fine again for a little bit. I replaced the fuel filter but it did not go away. I also recently replaced the DPFE sensor on the back of the engine. I took the car to Ford and they tested the car and said the #6 cylinder had a hard miss. They wanted to charge me $480 to replace the ignition coil, spark plug wire, and spark plug to the #6 cylinder. I took the car home and went to the junk yard, bought a used ignition coil and spark plug wire, and bought a new spark plug at a chain store. I put them on the car and it still does the same thing (I am glad I saved over $400 testing their diagnosis out that way!). However, I am now out of ideas. I do not have a check engine light on. I ran a compression check on all cylinders about 2 years ago and no drop in compression. I changed the EGR valve and all spark plug wires then as well. The transmission was overhauled about 25,000 miles ago. Thanks!
Answeri am glad you know 100% that the used parts you bought were good-because i have my doubts about used wires especially 4.6 engines which were notorious for misfiring after being disturbed. and i doubt very seriously ford would price one wire since they come in a set-i also hope you did not put a bosch or champion spark plug in that car.
the price you quoted for a coil-set of wires and plugs with labor would be correct with quality parts i would hazard to guess the wires you installed 25,000 miles ago probably weren't motorcraft either i may be wrong but when someone starts bashing dealers and reputable garages (i know all dealerships aren't that good either) because they don't like their prices it bothers me. you are not driving a geo sorry.
1. if it is a true misfire because of spark-plugs and wires are the number one culprit on this vehicle
2. injectors could be dirty but you wouldn't like to pay labor for flow testing with a 3500.00 machine so just have them cleaned professionally this is not putting something in the fuel tank and it will also help clean the valves.
3. clean the mass airflow sensor and make sure and use a qood quality air filter which is not a 4.99 special-it is very common for mass airflow sensors to get dirty the cheaper the filter quicker it happens you can pull the sensor off usually two tamper torx screws one may have sealer in it and can be removed by vise grip needle nose then clean the two wire filaments with maf cleaner.
4. the odds of that egr valve being bad was slim but dpfes are common as are stopped up ports under throttle bore which both will give egr insufficient flow codes.
5. be sure it is not the trans torque convertor kicking in and out very very common and feels like a misfire
6. have you replaced valve stem seals if you are using 1 1/2 or more quarts of oil between changes or some smoking during startup you probably need them and that will affect plugs and valves you also could have worn valve guide-broke spring etc.
7. these are very good cars and one the most underrated for the money
on the road today-when right people are usually surprised with performance and mileage i don't care if my kids do call ours a granny car-just goes to show grannies may be smarter than given credit for.
sorry about first paragraph just had to put things in perspective i own a garage an get tired of people telling me no when i diagnose but 6 weeks later they still have same problem after throwing a bunch of parts at it but have the nerve to say my diagnosis was wrong all because they slapped a bunch of used or cheap parts on it.
it don't happen often though mainly with new customers only because i have built a trust with my regulars.
good luck
