Tech Tip: Diagnosing Ford F-250 Engine Miss

Tech Tip: Diagnosing Ford F-250 Engine Miss

A 1999 Ford F-250 5.4L has an engine miss and the Check Engine light is on with code P0304 in its memory. Check for coolant dripping onto the #4 coil (passenger side rear cylinder) from the hose fitting directly above it. If coolant has dripped onto the coil, tighten the clamp and replace the coil, as it is almost always damaged by the coolant leak.

Customer Concern: 1999 Ford F-250 5.4L has an engine miss and the Check Engine light is on with code P0304 in memory.

Tests/Procedures
1. Check for coolant dripping onto the #4 coil (passenger side rear cylinder) from the hose fitting directly above it. If coolant has dripped onto the coil, tighten the clamp and replace the coil, as it is almost always damaged by the coolant leak.

2. If there is no indication of a coolant leak, check the primary resistance across the two terminals of the coils. The resistance should be 0.5-1.5 ohms on a room-temperature coil. If the engine is warm, the resistance will be slightly higher — up to 2.5 ohms on a coil installed in a hot engine.

3. If the resistance checks OK, pull the coils, check the coil and boot for signs of arcing to the engine, and if OK, swap them with another coil (one of the easier ones to get at) and see if the problem moves with the coil.

Source:  From the Identifix Hotline Archive

You May Also Like

Brand Refresh for Tires Plus, Hibdon Tires Plus Begins

Logo updates include a single-color tire mark; a logo palette comprised of Tires Plus yellow, black and red; and refined typefaces.

Bridgestone Retail Operations, a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas, introduced a phased rollout of new logos and refreshed brand campaigns for the Tires Plus and Hibdon Tires Plus brands. This is the first brand refresh since Bridgestone acquired the two companies in 2006.

According to Bridgestone, updates to the logo include a single-color tire mark; a logo palette comprised of Tires Plus yellow, black and red; and refined typefaces of both the Tires Plus name and Total Car Care subhead.

Constant-Velocity Axle Options

Whether new or remanufactured, complete CV axle assemblies can throw you a curveball from time to time.

10 Timing Belt Tips

Here are the some key installation and service tips to make your next timing belt job just a little easier.

CVT Transmissions

The point here is not to fear a customer complaint about a CVT transmission. 

Mercedes 4MATIC Diagnostics

The Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC all-wheel drive (AWD) systems have been around for a while now.

Other Posts

Axle Torque Procedures

Guessing the correct torque setting is a bad idea.

Avoiding Brake Noise Comebacks

Brake systems are complex and require an understanding of the root cause of generating the noise.

Continental Tire Opens Retread Solutions Center in South Carolina

The company said it hopes to uncover new improvements and technologies to innovate the retread process.

Sun Auto Tire & Service Expands Texas Store Count

The company has acquired Carrollton Complete Automotive, which offers a range of automotive services.