Just in case replacing the plugs does not fix your problem i've got another idea for you. Mine missed at 30,000 miles. I took it in two times before they realized the windshield washer hose was split or cracked (something like that) and replaced the components. Apparently what was happening was it was dripping on the back plugs causing the problem. 13,000 miles later still no problems. This could be the moisture problem you mentioned.

 

sawtooth1,

I had him check for any moisture and he did not find any. The first mechanic said that one of the heater hoses was dripping onto the plugs and he put some silicone on it and no moisture since then.

 

Maybe you should try waiting another 1500 miles before you asume you found a good machanic.

 

Good, just thought I would check. By the way is your engine knocking or tapping yet during start up? I have been reading all the people that are having this problem and mine just started three weeks ago. Only does it for 30 seconds or so and then quites. Sounds like a diesel though and my buddie now likes to say "should have bought a chevy". I can't tell you how bad those words sound coming from his mouth. From the beggingn we've he's said don't buy a Ford and now he's gloating. His 2000 Z71 has 75,000 miles and no problems.

 

No knocking on start-up. My mechanic said that his brother has a 2002 Chevy with the 6.0L and it is junk. Je has had it back to the dealership 5 times for piston slap and they will not replace the engine.

 

The piece in the top of your picture is the temp sensor for the guage on your dash, as i said in my earlier post.

The thing at the bottom of your pic is the TP sensor.

There's no such thing as a "CTS"

 

Ok in this post what i imagine is going on is that he put the plugs in it and it was still missing. He takes some shots in the dark and puts a TP and Guage sending unit(which he prob thought was a ECT) on it in attempt to fix it.

Well, it didn't fix it (the reason he went for these parts is because older GM cars has problems with these parts, and thats where 90% of independant techs have their experience). So after he put the TP and Sending unit on and it didnt fix the miss, he finally hit the mark with new plugs wires.

 

jefflaws,

I know you know way more about this than I ever will but if I search on www.fordpartsonline there is a part called a Coolant Temperature Sensor under Electrical, Powertrain Control. They do not put part numbers on this site. Also, the part says CTS on it. What does that mean?

In my mechanic's defense, he never looked at the wires until one of the last things because they are less than 4 months old and he did not figure that they would be bad.

 

The cts print is a vendor code, not a ford name, number , code, etc.

In a 98 4.6, the ECT is there ONLY for the temp guage on the dash.

Like i said earlier, a bad TP sensor, or any other fuel management sensor would not cause a feeling of a miss, buck, jerk etc (or a "shudder" like the guy told you).

Why dont you unplug the 2 sensors that he put on and go drive the truck and you will see what i mean. A bad TP just doesnt act like that.

Anyway, enough arguing, my only point was that im 99.999999999% sure that the plugs and wires was all that was wrong with it.

I'm out...

 

jefflaws,

Thanks for all of the information. At least I learned something new!

 

NoProblem.

 

Just to update you guys who are having the same problems with your 4.6's, my truck is still running great after over 6,000 miles and 6 months of driving.

I guess I did find a good mechanic after all. Last weekend I put new pads on and had the rotors turned. I took the rotors down to my mechanic and he turned them for $20 total. He also got me a set of Ceramic pads with a lifetime warranty for $63 ($120 retail).

 

Hmm, correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that the rotors on the f150's were laminated & therefore couldn't be turned.

 

medic,

I watched them being turned so I don't think so. He put them on a machine that ground off a fraction of an inch and they looked new and smooth when finished.