F150 Ecoboost Misfire Help Troubleshooting - P0300 P0301 P0302 P0303 P0304 P0305 P0306

What does a Misfire feel like? How do I know if my F150 Ecoboost is misfiring?

Misfires will flash the check engine light while they are happening and the feeling can be described as a power loss, cutting out or even a rev limiter type feeling. If the misfire is happening randomly it may cause a check engine light to stay on and display the code P0300. If the misfire is specific to a cylinder, it may display a check engine light and a DTC such as P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0305 or P0306. The last number represents the cylinder that is having the misfire. With the hood popped, standing in front of the vehicle, looking at the engine the cylinder numbering starts at the front left (passenger side) and goes backward 1,2,3 then 4 is the closest to the bumper on the driver’s side. 4,5,6 front to back. When misfires are present or plugs are due, idle tends to run rougher than normal.

What does a flashing check engine light on the dash mean?

A flashing CEL light means the engine is misfiring. A flashing check engine light usually can be felt as well. Feels like a power loss or a cutting out feeling. Usually you can feel this in the gas pedal as well, feels like a vibration in the gas pedal or a popping feeling. This is a sign the engine is misfiring and the vehicle will likely have a check engine code related to the misfires.

What is the most common fix for misfires?

The most common fix for misfires is to replace the spark plugs. Misfire troubleshooting varies depending on the situation. If it is global or random, start with spark plugs. When replacing spark plugs, confirm the plug is the correct model for the vehicle. Make sure the spark plug gap is correct for the level of boost you are running. Make sure there are no cracks on the spark plugs. Do not drop the spark plugs on the ground or into the cylinder. Do not over tighten the spark plugs.

What is the best spark plug for Ecoboost Vehicles?

The best spark plug for the F150 Ecoboost is NGK 95605

Click Here for the NGK 95605 Spark Plugs

Spark plugs – We recommend these NGK Spark Plugs at the appropriate spark plug gap. These plugs are one step colder and come gapped at .031.
Important note: Do not over-tighten, as the porcelain will crack and you will have created a new issue on your new plugs.

I just changed spark plugs and now the engine is misfiring.

It is common to have new misfire issues after changing plugs. This is commonly caused by installed damaged plugs or damaging the plugs during installation. Start by removing the plugs and closely inspecting them for cracks or issues. Confirm spark plug is correct and reinstall spark plugs that are found to not have any issues.

What if the misfires still happen after a new set of spark plugs?

If the misfires continue after changing the plugs or are cylinder specific, the next test is to move the coil and boot from the cylinder that is having the issue to a cylinder that is not having an issue. Example: P0302 means cylinder 2 is misfiring. Remove the coil and boot from this cylinder and swap it with cylinder 1. It is also a good idea to re-check the spark plug on cylinder 2 verifying that the plug is still in good condition and not cracked or damaged.

What does it mean if the misfire moves to a different cylinder?

If the misfire follows the coil, you have your answer and need to replace the coil and boots. You can decide to test just the boots as this is something Ford does and if that is determined to be the issue it will save you money. Boots are much cheaper than coils and boots. If the misfire did not follow the coil to cylinder 1, there is only 1 other variable left. Fuel…

What if I still have misfires after changing plugs, boots and coils?

Fuel injector issues will cause a cylinder specific misfire. Hopefully this isn’t an issue because changing injectors is a pretty involved task.

What does it mean when a wrench is shown on the dash of my F150 Ecoboost?

Wrench light or cutting out while driving can also be caused by an unwelcomed influence in the combustion mixture. This is common on the ecoboost vehicles due to the oil vapors and moisture build up in the intercooler. This can also be present inside the intake charge pipe. The quickest way to test this is to remove the intake charge pipe at the throttle body. Take a clean white rag and wipe the inside of the pipe out as far as you can reach, also inspect the throttle body. If you see oily substance, residue or other crud looking liquid, you have an issue that needs to be addressed.

The intercooler is likely retaining this mixture and when you accelerate little bits of it are being ingested into the motor and preventing proper combustion from taking place. If enough gets ingested, it can lead to severe engine problems or even failure. The solution is to first empty the intercooler.

Remove the intercooler and let it drain on its side. The liquid may not come out quickly so it is recommended to let it sit and drain on its side while propped up.

Do catch cans work?

100% Yes, catch cans work on Ecoboost Vehicles. They will catch and collect junk you do not want as part of your combustion mixture. A catch can is the next thing you need to prevent this from happening more in the future. The best solution is a catch can. There are many catch can options. At MPT, we typically use UPR Catch Cans on our Ecoboost vehicles. Link to catch cans: CATCH CANS.

Should I drill a weep hole in the intercooler?

Some others have recommended drilling a weep hole in the bottom of the intercooler. This is not something we have needed to do, but there are those that resolved this issue with a hole. Our recommendation is to first do the above, then if you still find you are experiencing issues then consider the weep hole but make absolutely certain it's air tight. Drilling a hole is creating a boost leak. Pin holes in the BOV diaphragm can be seen on a data log, imagine what can be seen with a drilled hole on the intercooler.

Should I clean my map sensors?

Lastly, you need to clean the sensors that are responsible for controlling fuel and measuring airflow. A dirty sensor is a liar without wanting to be. There are two key sensors to focus on here. The MAP sensor is on the intake manifold and there is an identical looking sensor on the intake charge pipe just before the throttle body. Both should be removed and cleaned with maf cleaner. Maf cleaner can be purchased at most all auto parts stores.

Hopefully this helps you out and leads to a longer life on your ecoboost. It truly is a great platform but there are maintenance items that must be done.