5.0L Missfire - Ford shake their head - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

NCGhia · 10-14-2003, 17:16

Bought a EL Fairmont Ghia (5L) about a month ago and one thing both myself and the RAC missed was a intermittent misfire. Happens about once a day for about 5 to 10 minutes. And this misfire really rocks the car, RPMs vary around 100rpm.

I notice this within the first week and took it back to the Ford Dealer (with a small list of other little faults). They agreed the misfire was there but after three days of keeping the car there said that there was nothing they can do and it might be a burnt valve. Knowing I have three months warranty on the car I took the car to see if I could shed any light on the matter (if you want a job done right, do it yourself...).

I'm taking it back next week with a few more faults, and thinking of having a chat to the GM of the dealer, but before I do that does anyone have any ideas (other than the basic misfire causers) that might be causing it?

The performance is not suffering when it not misfiring, I'm rather impressed by it for an auto. Taking off foot to the floor in dry weather will easily spin the wheels and put the car side ways if you don't watch it, unlike the NC or EB auto we have driven.

EBXR · 10-14-2003, 17:21

Does the car have a service history, and if so, does this show up at all in the paper work?

NCGhia · 10-14-2003, 17:29

No not in the paper work I was given. All that says was each serivce was done and stamped. No problems reported.

EBXR · 10-14-2003, 17:34

All done by the same dealer??

blueoval · 10-14-2003, 17:36

It sounds electrical. Perhaps coil pack could be playing up. Leads may have crack in them or could be faulty. I'm not 100% sure, and I'm only guessing.

What were the fault codes?

NCGhia · 10-14-2003, 17:42

Not sure if done by the same dealer, I don't have the log here.

As for fault codes, I haven't check, but Ford said there were none and the leads were all checked (my first idea). I don't think the coil pack was checked.

EBXR · 10-14-2003, 17:52

Does it do it when warm, cold or doesn't matter?

blueoval · 10-14-2003, 17:54

I'm not saying I know anything about 5ltrs, but I have a friend who works for a ford dealer in adelaide as a senior mechanic. He told me once that the earlier 5 ltrs did suffer occasionally from a faulty or stuffed coil or coil pack. Dont take my word for it.

Might be best to get another independant opinion to confirm the original assumption.

NCGhia · 10-14-2003, 18:04

I might be able to borrow a coil pack for EB 5L (if it will fit).

No it doesn't seem to matter if it is cold or warm. It has done it when the car was cold and when it has been running for over 30 minutes.

dragonV8 · 10-14-2003, 21:27

Ask for the previous owners details. That way he/she may be able to confirm of a pre-existing problem.