Miss in multi cylinders.

[Stexbower]

OK, Last year my 2003 Bird, at 24k developed a miss so I purchased a code reader and learned the car was missing on #3. No big deal, I purchase a COP and replaced it and all was fine.

Because I Live in the land of snow and salt ( Up State NY) the car is stored during the winter and this year again the car is running rough if driven normally in D5 but better if driven in D4 because the RPS are higher. The Code reader is telling me that I have a random Miss, but I have yet to empty my gas tank which is always full when I store it and I'm thing it might have some condensation in the tank but driving all the gas our would take time.

Because the car is 17 years old even though the mileage just clicked I though id replace all the plugs and COPs.. Any Suggestions. I went on ROCKAUTO and the cops are anywhere from 6 to 16 bucks or a premium set of 8 is 80 to 480 if you go for moto craft. Also on Plugs, I was thinking that a degree hotter plug might be helpful..

I appreciate any feedback on what you've done with your bird to correct this miss problem that seems to be quite common.

My back ground was in Auto Management and I ran a Jaguar-Land Rover franchise for 12 years when the Jaguar S-Type use the 4.0 Ltr motor and we never seemed to have these problems.

[BLACK BEAUTY]

Steve I paid $373 for DG529 OEM. I used Bosch double iridium 9603 plugs....seems to work well..good luck

[BillyL]

I think your first mistake was changing only one cop. Even with the code reader, you can get the wrong one. I think best bet is changing all eight cops and plugs as Greg suggest. Also change the boots and springs using a heavy application of dielectric grease on the connections. Should be good for at least another 50K.

[007Cruiser]

I think your first mistake was changing only one cop. Even with the code reader, you can get the wrong one. I think best bet is changing all eight cops and plugs as Greg suggest. Also change the boots and springs using a heavy application of dielectric grease on the connections. Should be good for at least another 50K.

Absolutely the best advice. Once you have the cover off, you may as well change them all.

[Elky64]

Do not go for a hotter plug.
In the olden times hotter plugs were commonly put in a car to burn off the excess oil that could get past rings or guides. So unless you are also burning oil DO Not switch to hotter plugs...Please.

Al

[Gobird]

Changed all plugs and coils with motorcraft at 80,000 miles.So far one coil went south and car now has 152,000 on it. Don't remember the cost but it doesn't really matter.

[Frank Dreano]

Changed all plugs and coils with motorcraft at 80,000 miles.So far one coil went south and car now has 152,000 on it. Don't remember the cost but it doesn't really matter.

I like your attitude - so many owners try to "cheap out" and it invariably bites them later on.

[007Cruiser]

I like your attitude - so many owners try to "cheap out" and it invariably bites them later on.

As my late father in law often said, “Only a rich man can afford to buy cheap.”

[stewbob]

Steve,Do what Spence and Greg says change all 8 coils and plugs.I changes mine several years ago with OEM got them from AM auto parts thats where Spence And Greg got them under $400.

[Jimr]

If the OEM coils were any good we wouldn't be changing them so early and often.

[EllisonCal]

I had a COP problem and changed all 8 coils, plugs and the sleeves. When it still had a miss, the Ford dealer couldn't find out what was wrong. They were guessing about all kinds of things. Turned out one of the new Coil/plugs that they put in was defective. All motorcraft parts. All expensive Ford dealer labor. One defective new part. Stuff happens.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

If the OEM coils were any good we wouldn't be changing them so early and often.

I agree, I have changed original Ford coils under 30,000 miles and Ford replacement coils under 10,000 miles. I have seven Birds with over twenty thousand miles on after market coils. But what do I know?

[Howlandd]

Two fully certified ASE mechanics voice the same opinion that I know my late father would have also given. Electrical parts have no feelings. They are either good or bad. They do not have a specific life span. Replace a only a bad one when needed because even new ones can be bad. Just sayn.

[007Cruiser]

But what do I know?

I’ve often wondered that myself.

[Stexbower]

Thanks to everyone for their feedback, looks like ill be replacing all "COP" and Plugs. I'm old so I actually have mechanical skills good enough to tackle this job. Additional research suggested that being I keep the car in a barn through the winter that's not heated I may have a condensation problem in this tank of fuel. I always store the car with a full tank and use 93+ non ethanol fuel but because the Miss is across the board and not one or two cylinders I'm going to use a bottle of Heet in the tank to remove any moisture.. Looks like a bumpy test ride but what else is their to do with stay at home in place..


Hopefully this will clear up all my problems and I cant wait to get the hard top off and catch a few rays. Its been a cold wet spring In Saratoga County NY..

Stay well everyone.