Check Engine Light July 19, 2021, 04:51:06 pm We just returned from a three week trip from San Diego to the northern Cascades and back. We returned a week early after a forest fire closed a highway we were supposed to traverse, and our planned return route included both fires and high temperatures.Overall though, we had a great trip and the Lazy Daze once again proved to be a great travel vehicle, with one exception:While driving down Interstate 5 just between Mt. Shasta and Grant's Pass, the check engine light came on and the engine lost power and ran rougher. I slowed down, pulled over, and exited at the next exit, less than a mile down the road. The Scan Gauge showed a P0300 code for engine misfire, but not the location.I called the Ford dealership in Roseville and explained our situation and the service advisor kindly told me that they were two weeks backed up and couldn't possibly even look at it. I then called four more shops in the area, only to be told that they were busy and couldn't help for several days.My sixth call was to Sutherlin Auto Care (http://www.fixourauto.com/sutherlin-autocare.html), about one mile from where I was parked on the off ramp. They said they were busy and full, but moved a semi tractor out of the way so that I could park in the alley. The shop foreman, Heath, got to work immediately, diagnosed the problem to be a bad coil on the #7 spark plug, had a coil in stock and had us rolling inside of two hours! Heath even allowed me to watch his work and ask questions. He mentioned that he replaces spark plug coils on Ford V10's all the time and he worked quickly and efficiently. Heath did mention that I should carry one or two of those coils because one failed and there are nine more with the same age and miles. When I went to the desk to pay, they handed me a repair bill for $139, including parts and labor! Generous tips were in order and warmly received.I was disappointed by the Ford dealership unhelpful response, but that did lead me to Heath at Sutherlin Auto Care and we were back on the road for an uneventful remainder of our trip.How many members carry spare spark plug coils? How about a coil tester? I plan to buy two coils and a tester and replace one of the working ones in the engine for practice.Harold 8 Likes
Re: Check Engine Light Reply #1 – July 19, 2021, 05:20:50 pm Harold,I’m so happy you got the issue resolved while on the road.Larry has made it clear how important this item is and the need for spares. You know he’s always right.Before my trip to the Grand Canyon, I will have several spares on board.Kent 1 Likes
Re: Check Engine Light Reply #2 – July 19, 2021, 05:27:20 pm Quote from: Kent Heckethorn - July 19, 2021, 05:20:50 pmHarold,I’m so happy you got the issue resolved while on the road.Larry has made it clear how important this item is and the need for spares. You know he’s always right.Before my trip to the Grand Canyon, I will have several spares on board.KentDo you happen to have a part number? Sounds like great advice!!! 1 Likes
Re: Check Engine Light Reply #3 – July 19, 2021, 05:38:08 pm Harold, glad to hear of the positive outcome on a bad situation, and that it was resolved so inexpensively! Much cheaper than my $500 spark plug incident back in March. I too intend to pick up some spare plugs and coils before our trip to Arkansas this Fall so part numbers would be appreciated.After we almost got diverted by the Beckwourth Complex fire a little over a week ago, I vowed to keep our future summertime trips confined to the coastal areas. 2 Likes
Re: Check Engine Light Reply #4 – July 19, 2021, 05:41:23 pm Quote from: pdl2win - July 19, 2021, 05:27:20 pmDo you happen to have a part number? Sounds like great advice!!!RockAuto is your friend Ford V10 Spark Plug Coil . I have two spares from DENSO. I used to work for a US division of DENSO.Charles 2 Likes
Re: Check Engine Light Reply #5 – July 19, 2021, 05:48:21 pm Quote from: Charles & Donna - July 19, 2021, 05:41:23 pmRockAuto is your friend Ford V10 Spark Plug Coil . I have two spares from DENSO. I used to work for a US division of DENSO.CharlesThanks!
Re: Check Engine Light Reply #6 – July 19, 2021, 05:48:49 pm Quote from: Blueox25 - July 19, 2021, 04:51:06 pmHe mentioned that he replaces spark plug coils on Ford V10's all the time and he worked quickly and efficiently. Heath did mention that I should carry one or two of those coils because one failed and there are nine more with the same age and miles. How many members carry spare spark plug coils? How about a coil tester? I plan to buy two coils and a tester and replace one of the working ones in the engine for practice.When the V10 died and was replaced at 100,000 miles, I bought a full set of new Denso coils, Denso is one of the OEM coils used by Ford. I carry three of the good, used coils in the LD and gave away the others to friends as spares.Also carried is an ignition spark tester, fuel pump pressure tester and a OBDII scanner, along with a full list of "Check Engine" codes. Amazon.com: Calterm 66331 Tru-Spark Ignition Firing LED Indicator, Adjustable...https://www.harborfreight.com/fuel-injection-pump-tester-62623.htmlAmazon.com: LAUNCH Creader VII+ OBD2 Scanner ABS SRS Transmission and Engine...My scanner is an older version. Works fine with older rigs.Larry 2 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Check Engine Light Reply #7 – July 19, 2021, 07:14:35 pm Harold, maybe you might want to go ahead and replace all the other coils now so they are all the same age. If your mileage is above maybe 80K think about replacing the plugs also. Better to do it at the same time and have no more problems. Then save the old ones as spares.
Re: Check Engine Light Reply #8 – July 19, 2021, 07:37:01 pm JMO, but since it’s a good deal of work to *access* the plugs and coils, I agree about replacing everything at one time. And, yes, since the maintenance schedule lists plug replacement at 100k, and Harold’s LD has 80k, I’d do the preemptive strike! I *think* that the recommended torque for the plugs is 28 pounds, but Larry can confirm or correct this; he has a long history of interaction with plugs and. coils! 🥴 YMMV, of course.
Re: Check Engine Light Reply #9 – July 19, 2021, 07:51:51 pm Thanks for the replies and ideas. My rig is a 2014 with 42K miles, so I was a little surprised to have a coil fail so soon.The mechanic had a supply of Denso coils on hand and installed one in our rig.Larry, (1) what do you think about the necessity and prudence of replacing the other 9 coils now at 40K miles? I was planning to replace one for practice and then see what happens on the road. (2) Do you like that Creader VII OBD2 scanner? If so, I'll add it to my bag.Greg, after this trip, I agree with you fully. Mammoth was hot, Eagle lake was over 100, Bend Oregon was 108. but thankfully we had full hookups and spent two days tubing down the Deschutes River. Even the northern Cascades were hot. Next year we will visit kids in Mammoth and Bend and then hightail it to the coast.Harold
Re: Check Engine Light Reply #10 – July 19, 2021, 07:53:35 pm Sorry, Harold! My mistake on the mileage on your LD. 😔
Re: Check Engine Light Reply #11 – July 19, 2021, 08:21:37 pm Quote from: Blueox25 - July 19, 2021, 07:51:51 pmMy rig is a 2014 with 42K miles, so I was a little surprised to have a coil fail so soon.Larry, (1) what do you think about the necessity and prudence of replacing the other 9 coils now at 40K miles? I was planning to replace one for practice and then see what happens on the road. (2) Do you like that Creader VII OBD2 scanner? If so, I'll add it to my bag.I agree with Mike that it's a good idea on higher mileage rigs, these are the ones I have seen the most coils fail on.Carrying a couple of spare coils isn't a bad idea, along with a 7mm socket, needed to remove the coil's mounting bolt.Parts of the tools we carry include a 1/4" drive socket set with SAE and metric sizes, a 7mm socket is part of this set.The hardest part of changing a coil is removing and replacing the doghouse. The coils are secured with a single bolt, be careful removing the coil's electric plug. Older rigs will have brittle plastic plugs that can break easily. When replacing the coils, apply a little dielectric grease to the inside of the spark plug boot, to ease its future removal. Deteriorated rubber boots should be replaced. New boots are inexpensive.2014 FORD E-450 6.8L V10 Spark Plug / Coil-On-Plug Boot | RockAutoMy Creader scanner is seven years old and is still updatable, it has been very useful in analyzing my Jeep Cherokee's various issues. Never had to use it on our LD but have found a few bad coils with it on other LDs.With the exception of the coils, the Ford's V10's electronics have proven to be very durable.Larry
Re: Check Engine Light Reply #12 – July 19, 2021, 11:25:48 pm Thanks Larry,I'll follow your recommendations.I need to replace the HVAC control vacuum accumulator, so I suspect the doghouse will have to come out as part of that job.Harold
Re: Check Engine Light Reply #13 – July 20, 2021, 02:28:47 pm We got our 98~MB at 72K and at around 75K We replaced all plugs and torqued to the new suggested value of 28lbs. We found two plugs that were just hand tight. At 110K last fall we changed plugs and torqued to 28lbs, we also replaced all of the coils and coil boots, we kept 5 of the best as backups, we carry two in the LD. I don't know how old our original coils were. At 75K they looked good, at 110K some of them looked good but they are all changed now. Karen~Liam 98 ~ MB NinA 1 Likes
Re: Check Engine Light Reply #14 – July 20, 2021, 05:15:41 pm Nice clearance price on the fuel pressure tester Larry mentioned.https://www.harborfreight.com/fuel-injection-pump-tester-62623.htmlI went to my local Harbor Freight and they were out. It’s been replaced by another item at $49. Looks like the clearance priced one is still available at some stores though so get it while you can.
Re: Check Engine Light Reply #15 – July 20, 2021, 09:19:05 pm Quote from: 73gitane - July 20, 2021, 05:15:41 pmNice clearance price on the fuel pressure tester Larry mentioned.https://www.harborfreight.com/fuel-injection-pump-tester-62623.htmlI went to my local Harbor Freight and they were out. It’s been replaced by another item at $49. Looks like the clearance priced one is still available at some stores though so get it while you can. Looking at the website, the fuel injector pressor tester kit is back-ordered, the site shows it being available online in early August.The bigger, deluxe kit has more parts than what is needed. All I carry is the gauge with a hose that fits the fuel pressure test port.Larry
Re: Check Engine Light Reply #16 – July 20, 2021, 09:48:54 pm Nice, I’ll wait for them to get more in. Does the test port use as shader valve connection? I did a quick look but assume I need to detach the air cleaner to see it or remove the dog house
Re: Check Engine Light Reply #17 – July 20, 2021, 10:01:36 pm Quote from: Mike Coachman - July 19, 2021, 07:14:35 pmHarold, maybe you might want to go ahead and replace all the other coils now so they are all the same age. If your mileage is above maybe 80K think about replacing the plugs also. Better to do it at the same time and have no more problems. Then save the old ones as spares.OK, reading this thread has made my anxiety level shoot through the roof. I take my 1998 once a year for a general check over to a local RV repair shop here in Las Cruces, but they've never done this to my knowledge. I just returned from a trip and now read 81,000. How can I find a reputable shop to do this "apparently" necessary maintenance? I don't like "surprises" on the road - especially since I travel alone... 1 Likes
Re: Check Engine Light Reply #18 – July 21, 2021, 01:42:05 am Cheryl,I don't think I would have a RV repair shop do this maintenance. Since it isn't an emergency, or even urgent, perhaps you can google automotive repair shops in your area and find two or three that have good recommendations or ratings. Then call or visit each one, explain what you want them to do, and get an estimate for the work. The Denso coils retail at about $29 and then ask how many hours of labor will be required to complete the job.While the air cleaner and plastic covers are out for the job, it might be a good time to replace the serpentine belt if it hasn't been done. You should save a little money on the job since some parts will be out of the way for the coil replacement.Ask the mechanic to keep the old spark plug coils so you can carry a few as spares (although with all new ones, it is unlikely that one will go bad for a long time).Harold 2 Likes
Re: Check Engine Light Reply #19 – July 21, 2021, 10:29:08 am Quote from: Blueox25 - July 21, 2021, 01:42:05 amSince it isn't an emergency, or even urgent, perhaps you can google automotive repair shops in your area and find two or three that have good recommendations or ratings. Then call or visit each one, explain what you want them to do, and get an estimate for the work. Thanks Harold - Since I'm not "handy" when it comes to mechanical issues (and don't have a male around for a "honey do,") I appreciate the information! Cheryl
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Topic: Check Engine Light (Read 374 times)
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