gonna try to make a long story short. I have the 4.0 SOHC V6. Last Feb.my cam chain guide broke and knocked a hole in the left valve cover. Had to replace of course, also replace the jack to crank tensioner (broke as well, both made from high temp plastic), set timing and put back together. Flushed engine twice because my oil was baked on caked on. Who ever had the truck before me never changed the oil. Everything ran great after. Had to replace the battery because it sat for months. Drove it down the street to take the wife to work, tried to kick the passing gear in and the truck sputtered, jerked and shut off and hasn't started since. The vehicle will try to start if I leave it sit for a day or two but shuts back off after about 10 seconds. I'm gettin fuel, and air but I'm not sure about the spark. I grounded a few of my plugs to the block and I got a lil spark but they had gas all over them. Really wet. I'm still payin for this thing and I what to drive it. Please give me some feed back. I'm open to any suggestions.

 

hmmm....... maybe your getting too much fuel? just a shot in the dark. try some different spark plugs like boush (spelling) platinum four prong ones. those might help

 

why would I be getting to much fuel. could it also be my coil pack.

 

You may want to check the coil. You can be getting spark, but not enough spark. Also could be the plugs and the wires. It could be do to change the plugs and wires anyways. How many miles? and if you say the person never changed the oil before you, then who knows what other preventative maintenance he never did.

 

It has 82,000 miles and in great condition besides what's goin on with it now. My neighbor has a F150 and he said that his has a coil pack for each cyclinder. How do I find out if mine is the same or is it one coil.

 

I don't know about a 98. My 90 has one. All you have to do is trace the spark plug wires. If they all go straight from the plugs into the same black box, then it is one. If they each come out and each have a cylnder attached to the spark plug wire then they have their own coil.

If you have the cash, I would also recomend replacing the plugs and wires.

 

I just went out and checked and it's only one. Is there a way to test the coil to see if it's bad or should I just replace it because of the lack of maintenance on the vehicle. I'm gonna go buy new plugs and wires anyway because the gap in the plugs that I took out where huge. Why would I be getting so much fuel on them.

 

Not sure how to check off hand without my manual in a car anyways. My dirtbike, I checked the impedence to the specs in the manual.
They may be wet because you are not producing enough spark to burn the fuel. Since you are replaing the plugs and wires, you may want to do that first and see if it starts? your plugs may be fouled and be your colprit.

 

Well pay day is tomorrow for me and I'm gonna do the plugs and wires. if that doesn't work I'll try the coil. Thanks for the info, I've been rackin my brain for 5 months tryin to figure this out and I hope it works.

 

well 4 months later. I've been out of action doing work for uncle sam's army. I replaced the plugs and wires and still no start. Any more suggestions. I'm in desperate need of my truck back.