Work van debacle! Any help would be gratefully appreciated… I pulled out of my driveway and my van made this kind of thud and then started popping really loud like an exhaust pop. Pull the doghouse and noticed that the number three cylinder coil had popped off.. I pulled the spark plug having read the nightmares though the spark plug seemed like it was tight and totally good looked down in the hole and here’s what I saw. I am new to this site so my apologies if I posted in the wrong place and in the wrong manner. Just a small business person panicking on how he’s gonna get his tools to work tomorrow. I did change the spark plug out put the coil back on and it’s still was popping like it had some kind of an exhaust blowout happening somewhere pop pop pop really loud. I did not notice any other loose coil wires, other than the number three cylinder. Not any codes on the OBD two thank you in advance

 

You should provide year and engine size...

The scenario you related sounds almost like a blown out spark plug except that, usually, the plug itself is blown out of the plug well.

If you replaced the plug and coil and still have the sound, you need to localize the sound to see if it's actually blowing out of the spark plug hole. I'm surprised that you could tighten the plug after a blowout and that the sound is still present.

Try to pinpoint where the sound is coming from and get back with us.

Good Luck!

 

I finally got to working on it today and yes, I blew out the number eight cylinder plug. I had a feeling that was what was going on, so I ordered the kit to put inserts in borescope etc. I was able to rebuild my automatic transmission so I think I’ll be able to handle this one. 🤞🏻 it’s a 5.4 L E250 not a lot of room to work but going to do all eight inserts. Not having this problem again! Thank you so much for the reply. I really do appreciate it! As far as I’m concerned, this should’ve been a recall situation where Ford put new heads on EVERY vehicle with these motors! But just like the overdrive in the transmission, it’s Fords planned obsolescence! 🤬

 

Engineers don't usually make bad mistakes , except when a building collapses in an earthquake.

A lot of times the bean counter dept makes the decision on quality and expenditures and not the engineer.
No matter how you cut it, it always involves that almighty dollar. AND,,,,,,,,,,,,we know all about that, huh ?

Lets hope that problem stays far away with the newer vehicles.

 

gratefulroscoe:
If you're going to do it yourself, take EVERY precaution AND THEN SOME to keep chips out of the cylinder(s). I had a 4.6L done by a shop years ago and it ran like a dream until six months later the rings in the repaired cylinder went away.

 

Look in the cylinder and this is what I found. I don’t know if it may be fell down in When I took the spark plug out, but it looks to be some kind of a spring or copper. I don’t really know, but I know it doesn’t look good.. ..UGH

 

You can try a magnet, but if copper you might consider the ole chewing gum on a stick, and see if you can pull it out.

 

Might be the remnants of the threads the plug ripped out of the head?

 

I was able to get a better picture of the spring looking clip that is looking like it’s pinched between my piston and the cylinder wall. 🤦 I’m gonna try to rig up shop vac with a hose to see if I can vacuum it out.

 

By looking at the length of the cylinder wall, do you think that the piston is down far enough for me to drill out the plug hole?? And by the way, I really do appreciate everyone’s input! I can’t believe I didn’t join this forum sooner. A huge thank you to all you ford rock stars! I am praying that I can save this motor! 🙏🏻