V-10 Excursion missing; no code or pending code

Others have mentioned a fuel problem. I don't know how the V10 compares to the old straight 6, but had one that was doing the same thing. After several visits to different shops, finally had one suggest carbon build up. The owner suggested putting in on a machine to burn a cleaner through the engine. He did not think it would work and would probably have to pull the head. But half way through the treatment we were standing by the truck when the engine sound noticeably changed. No more low rpm miss.
I don't know what the machine is called or what is uses. But the problem was definitely fuel related.

carringb wrote:
A weak coil won't set codes until it completely fails.

That is where I am.

I only live a mile from work, so That would probably do more harm than good. I will figure out a way to drive it every weekend. I like to use it to pick up my daughter from school because she has so much stuff, but looks like I should stop that. I have been using it to tailgate football games. It is a very useful vehicle to have around, but the maintenance has been brutal.

From my house to my boat storage unit in Jamestown, KY I got 17 MPG. I was so excited I took a picture of the display (it is spot on accurate) and posted it on Facebook! I didn't go over 50 and didn't stop. The tuner set on economy helps the mileage on the highway.

Interesting....maybe having 10 cylinders instead of 8 makes a misfire less noticeable on one.

carringb wrote:
And here's what I noticed.... It doesn't matter if a drive like a grandma, or I drive like I just robbed a bank. Gas mileage is just as bad either way

You got that right....new plugs, wires, cleaned/rebuilt fuel injectors, new filters, new fuel pumps, and to top it off a new transmission....and still 10 MPG :E

jspringator wrote:
I'm a member over there. I'll post up a query. I drive it short distances 2 times a week and on towing vacations twice a year. I may drive to the lake 100 miles away 4 times a year.

That'll do it! The V10 is a BIG motor that needs to work to fully warm up. Try getting on it a couple times a month. The extra fuel for a couple extra (hard) Sunday drives will reduce headaches like your coil problems, and will clear the carbon out of the intake, and cook the moisture out of the engine and transmission oils.

Without getting the engine HOT, condensation builds up in the spark plug wells causing a short which damages the coils.


And here's what I noticed.... It doesn't matter if a drive like a grandma, or I drive like I just robbed a bank. Gas mileage is just as bad either way;)

BurbMan wrote:
jspringator, you mention the shudder is at 1500 rpm and below, so assume it smooths out at higher RPM? If so that wouldn't indicate an ignition problem....as supported by lack of codes...if one or more plugs wasn't firing the miss would be more noticeable at higher RPM.

My experience matches his. The V10 is a smooth running engine, and a miss is most noticeable at low RPMs. When my coil failed it really was only noticeable in OD below 50 MPH. But mine did set a code. A weak coil won't set codes until it completely fails. Had that problem on a 2000 Jaguar S-type (same 3.0 V6 used in other Fords). One or more were weak. Codes said "Multiple Random Misfires" so I changed the plugs. That cleared the codes, but it still had a slight miss at lower RPMs, mainly under load such as climbing a freeway grade (6.5% in Portland). Ended up just changing all of them because half the motor is buried under the intake.

I'm a member over there. I'll post up a query. I drive it short distances 2 times a week and on towing vacations twice a year. I may drive to the lake 100 miles away 4 times a year.

jspringator, you mention the shudder is at 1500 rpm and below, so assume it smooths out at higher RPM? If so that wouldn't indicate an ignition problem....as supported by lack of codes...if one or more plugs wasn't firing the miss would be more noticeable at higher RPM.

Sounds like you are inclined to assume spark issues given your COP problems...but I would be more inclined to look at fuel/air for a roughness at low rpms.

Have you ever taken out the MAF and cleaned it? Air filter? Fuel filter? Fuel injectors? I did a MAF and throttle body cleaning and also pulled the injectors and sent them out to be cleaned, made a huge difference in idle smoothness.

jspringator...as 2 previous posters gave you links to Ford Truck Enthusiasts, go to the site...they have sub-forums, one for your engine(V10). Not that well visited these days but you can get responses from on of the others...so join and ask the question. You'll find qualified help.

jspringator wrote:
That is exactly what I have. I would call it a shudder at 1500 RPM and below when ascending a hill. It isn't bad enough yet for me to do all that. It occurs infrequently, at least as of now.

I expect it will get worse and finally set a code! I need to get out my receipts and figure out what COP's haven't been replaced since my replacement of all 10 with Motorcraft units about 3 years ago.

You seem to have a higher than typical COP failure rate. Are you using dielectric grease when you install? Do you do a lot of short-cycle driving where the engine doesn't get fully warm?

Have you done a plug change yet? Platinum plugs?

Just trying to help figure out why yours are going out so often. I've only had one fail in 365,000 and I just replaced all of them last weekend as a preventative measure (it was time for plugs anyways).