2001 5.4 fuel filter change, now the CEL is on - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

jmc0309 · 12-29-2012, 16:59

Hi all,
I changed the fuel filter on my 01 SCrew 5.4 and all went well. I drove it around town afterward with no problems. Today going up a hill at 45 mph it started to misbehave as if it were starved for fuel. Then the CEL came on. I got to my destination after much shuddering and shaking, confirmed the fuel filter was installed correctly (I re-installed to be safe). I am stumped. Any ideas? Could it be a bad filter or is it coincidental with the filter change? Any help is greatly appreciated.

**CatSkinner** · 12-30-2012, 07:24

Any idea on what code you have?

**R.S.LOGAN** · 12-30-2012, 08:51

Could be coincidental and you changing the fuel filter has given you a bum steer .Could be a cyl misfiring / breaking down for what ever reason be it plug , coil pack etc . and triggering light .

jmc0309 · 12-30-2012, 09:05

I don't know the code, but I know it's not a misfire, I've had that pleasure. The shudder feels more like a fuel starvation issue. Since filters are relatively inexpensive, I think I'll pop another one on today to rule that out completely.

**R.S.LOGAN** · 12-30-2012, 09:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmc0309

I don't know the code, but I know it's not a misfire, I've had that pleasure. The shudder feels more like a fuel starvation issue. Since filters are relatively inexpensive, I think I'll pop another one on today to rule that out completely.

Worth a try .If not that possibly a partially blocked catalytic converter or exhaust ?

Bluegrass · 12-30-2012, 20:44

jmc, please! get the code read and go with it and stop trying to say what it is not.
The code will tell you what the trouble area is.
Good luck.

jmc0309 · 12-30-2012, 21:41

Bluegrass, I am trying to track down a code reader. If I have to I'll be heading down to the local garage for a reading. I have a couple of suspicions since it isn't the fuel filter. It'll be interesting to see if my suspicions are correct. For the record I think it is either fuel injectors because it behaves just like my boat motor did when they were clogged, or the fuel pump is going out. We'll see what the code says. Thanks for the ideas folks.

jmc0309 · 01-02-2013, 09:51

Verdict is in and I was wrong. #7 cylinder is misfiring and the ignition coil is misbehaving. So it was a coincidence with the filter change, but is also something I don't have enough time to attack myself with my slow work speed, so it's off to the garage. Thanks for the ideas.

**R.S.LOGAN** · 01-04-2013, 06:07

Thanks for update , hope it's something minor as suggested .