Tiha
Red Skull Member
Need some out of the box thinking here.
2002 ford escape, 3.0. chassis has 130K, engine is unknown miles, was a used engine. So probably lots of miles. But plugs have less than 5k on them
Been running great. Then bam, check engine light. Misfire on #4 and #6. Barely idles.
Installed new coil and plug on #4 only, because I am already thinking this isn't a coil or plug problem.
Clear codes, restart expecting 4 should go away if that was the problem correct?
Nope, now have misfire codes #4, #5, and #6.
Pull all 3 coils and plugs to inspect. Plugs look great, dry and clean. Look the same. They smell funny though. Not sure what to liken it to. I know that is a clue, but not sure what it is telling me yet.
Run compression check. All 3 seem great and close.
Re install, check fuel pressure, right at 65 psi. Spec is 55-65
Checked fuel trims, all relatively low. Not indicating vac leak, or over fueling. Switching like normal.
Now an then getting a smell like running rich but no noticeable smoke.
Sprayed intake down with starting fluid and didn't seem to find any vac leaks, no noticeable change at all and place I sprayed.
Now codes are P0300, p0303, p0304, p0305, p0306
Seems like my misfires are jumping around, popping up in different orders each time I reset and check.
Pulled the air filter, it was clean.
Pulled the plug on the MAF while idling. It seemed to clear up and run better but not fixed. Of course that threw an IAT and MAF code.
Swapped MAF with another I had laying there. No change in running, MAF and IAT code went away.
Thought about plugged CAT but the thing revs fine. You can drive it like it is, but it is sluggish off the line and low power, but obviously it is missing. But that shouldn't explain why my rear bank is now randomly missing.
Blocked the EGR to eliminate that.
Trying to remember if there was anything else I checked. But I am at a loss moving forward where to start next.
Thought maybe bad gas, but it had been running on that tank for a week, then my son put another 10 gallon in when it started acting up. By now it should have changed some.
This thing doesn't knock, or rattle or make any funny noises like a timing chain issue. Never back fires.
Doesn't use any coolant.
I obviously need to check voltages from PCM, maybe that is failing? I see 2005 had a Coil driver issue in the PCM.
Need to check injectors,
Starting to wonder about the crank sensor, ect, or cam sensor, but no codes at all pointing to any of those things.
Even wondering about an alternator issue. Hopefully that would show up during voltage test on coils? but doesn't change when changing electrical loads like turning AC and blower, headlights on.
I guess I am leaning towards a PCM/Harness issue? Searching google this just doesn't seem like a common problem on these.
Any random thoughts?
I never get the easy ones. why can't I ever open the hood and find a loose battery terminal, or hose that fell off.
Thanks,
2002 ford escape, 3.0. chassis has 130K, engine is unknown miles, was a used engine. So probably lots of miles. But plugs have less than 5k on them
Been running great. Then bam, check engine light. Misfire on #4 and #6. Barely idles.
Installed new coil and plug on #4 only, because I am already thinking this isn't a coil or plug problem.
Clear codes, restart expecting 4 should go away if that was the problem correct?
Nope, now have misfire codes #4, #5, and #6.
Pull all 3 coils and plugs to inspect. Plugs look great, dry and clean. Look the same. They smell funny though. Not sure what to liken it to. I know that is a clue, but not sure what it is telling me yet.
Run compression check. All 3 seem great and close.
Re install, check fuel pressure, right at 65 psi. Spec is 55-65
Checked fuel trims, all relatively low. Not indicating vac leak, or over fueling. Switching like normal.
Now an then getting a smell like running rich but no noticeable smoke.
Sprayed intake down with starting fluid and didn't seem to find any vac leaks, no noticeable change at all and place I sprayed.
Now codes are P0300, p0303, p0304, p0305, p0306
Seems like my misfires are jumping around, popping up in different orders each time I reset and check.
Pulled the air filter, it was clean.
Pulled the plug on the MAF while idling. It seemed to clear up and run better but not fixed. Of course that threw an IAT and MAF code.
Swapped MAF with another I had laying there. No change in running, MAF and IAT code went away.
Thought about plugged CAT but the thing revs fine. You can drive it like it is, but it is sluggish off the line and low power, but obviously it is missing. But that shouldn't explain why my rear bank is now randomly missing.
Blocked the EGR to eliminate that.
Trying to remember if there was anything else I checked. But I am at a loss moving forward where to start next.
Thought maybe bad gas, but it had been running on that tank for a week, then my son put another 10 gallon in when it started acting up. By now it should have changed some.
This thing doesn't knock, or rattle or make any funny noises like a timing chain issue. Never back fires.
Doesn't use any coolant.
I obviously need to check voltages from PCM, maybe that is failing? I see 2005 had a Coil driver issue in the PCM.
Need to check injectors,
Starting to wonder about the crank sensor, ect, or cam sensor, but no codes at all pointing to any of those things.
Even wondering about an alternator issue. Hopefully that would show up during voltage test on coils? but doesn't change when changing electrical loads like turning AC and blower, headlights on.
I guess I am leaning towards a PCM/Harness issue? Searching google this just doesn't seem like a common problem on these.
Any random thoughts?
I never get the easy ones. why can't I ever open the hood and find a loose battery terminal, or hose that fell off.
Thanks,
