previous misfires followed up by red light stalling, related?

[twastheglow]

I did a fair amount of searching and reading before posting this. But I can't seem to find any real answers, so here it is...

I purchased an '04 4.4 last summer. Throughout the course of our upstate NY winter, my wife (whom drives the car) decribed to me a couple of rough starts/idling in the morning (with an obviously cold car) as well as a few of the unfortunate blinking CEL to indicate misfiring. Also during the course of the winter, I experienced the car stalling while stopping at a stop sign. Months went by without issue until I was driving the car at operating temperature on a 50+* degree and while at a light the CEL started blinking all while the car continued to idle perfectly. No shudder or stutter or anything to indicate a problem other than the light. A few nights later I scanned the car and received 274E-misfire detection, checksum failure, 2742-misfire cylinder 1, 2747- misfire cylinder 3, and 2749-misfire cylinder 2. I then cleared the codes. This was probably 6-8 weeks ago now. Since scanning and clearing the codes, my wife has reported multiple stallings at red lights (2 in the same day at one point)...no CEL's. I finally had the chance to scan the car again and it came back clean. Nothing has popped since clearing it weeks and weeks ago.

Question 1 - Are these two symptoms likely related?
Question 2 - If not related, are the misfirings likely these 'levers' I have read about, or is there the potential it is something different due to other symptoms?
Question 3 - If not related, what could/would cause these stallings?

Needless to say, any other information, tips, points etc. are more than welcome. And any further information I can help give...I will do my best. Thank you.

Mike

[beamertruck]

Did you check the oil separator/crankcase ventilation? Those can get clogged and cause issues, also have you checked you plugs to see if theres any oil or if theyre excessively fouled? How many miles? Have you ever ran injector cleaner? Nozzles could be clogged, and valves could have heavy deposits, may need to try the fuel filter depending. When was your last Oil Change, do you remember what kind and viscosity? Did you check your air filter and throttle body? MAF?
i know thats alot of stuff, just tryin to narrow it down as best i can.

[twastheglow]

Originally Posted by beamertruck

Did you check the oil separator/crankcase ventilation? Those can get clogged and cause issues, also have you checked you plugs to see if theres any oil or if theyre excessively fouled? How many miles? Have you ever ran injector cleaner? Nozzles could be clogged, and valves could have heavy deposits, may need to try the fuel filter depending. When was your last Oil Change, do you remember what kind and viscosity? Did you check your air filter and throttle body? MAF?
i know thats alot of stuff, just tryin to narrow it down as best i can.

LOL I have done none of that...yet.

I was actually looking for guidance. I have 88,xxx miles and the car is actually due for an oil change now (doing it this weekend). 5k miles since it's last change with Mobil 1 5w30 if I remember correctly.

So what do you recommend I check, step by step, and in what order? The car seems to be running fine, the stalling is just so hit and miss.

[beamertruck]

Lol no worries, its just theres so many factors that you can never say for sure what your issue may be. Id check the air filter and if its bad replace it (use wix or mann filters, carquest and NAPA inhouse work as they are WIX), i would also check the sparkplugs (if theyre bad replace with NGK iridium), check the CCV next because that seems to be a common issue here, my 06 4.4i was exhibiting the same problems this winter. Oil can definatly be ruled, though i recommend using a ×W-40 weight oil like our Euro line. Try a bottle of fuel system cleaner, even if it doesnt help its just good maintenance. (If you want the NGK plugs, oil, filters and fuel system cleaner you can PM me for pricing, of course you can still get the stuff from an autostore and use a good OTC brand without issue, just helps me and you get a phenomenal product) let me know your findings and well go from there

[twastheglow]

I guess the problem is, because it IS so hit or miss with the stalling...and it hasn't misfired in months (warmer weather?), I won't know if anything I did fixed it. I guess no news is good news.

Other than the oil change, what else should I bang out this weekend to eliminate from the list? Fuel injector cleaner (Chevron with Techron?), pull and clean the ccv? Possibly fuel filter? Change plugs? New air filter?

Mike

[twastheglow]

Originally Posted by beamertruck

Lol no worries, its just theres so many factors that you can never say for sure what your issue may be. Id check the air filter and if its bad replace it (use wix or mann filters, carquest and NAPA inhouse work as they are WIX), i would also check the sparkplugs (if theyre bad replace with NGK iridium), check the CCV next because that seems to be a common issue here, my 06 4.4i was exhibiting the same problems this winter. Oil can definatly be ruled, though i recommend using a ×W-40 weight oil like our Euro line. Try a bottle of fuel system cleaner, even if it doesnt help its just good maintenance. (If you want the NGK plugs, oil, filters and fuel system cleaner you can PM me for pricing, of course you can still get the stuff from an autostore and use a good OTC brand without issue, just helps me and you get a phenomenal product) let me know your findings and well go from there

Sorry. LOL I saw you posted this while I was typing.

Thanks. I'll do those items this weekend as well.

Any DIY's on pulling and cleaning the CCV?

[beamertruck]

Yeah look up cleaning CCV, the valve itself isnt too bad, usually dealers will have it in stock, otherwise youcan order it off NAPA. I would change the plugs, run a fuel system cleaner, techrons a good injector cleaner but youll have better luck with Amsoil P.i. or redline SL-1 (oreillys will usually have it). The oil may not make a huge difference but running a good ×W-40 weight oil will quiet the engine and also will lubricate better. I just changed out the Amsoil in my truck and put in M1 5W-30 and its noticeably louder.

[twastheglow]

Originally Posted by beamertruck

Yeah look up cleaning CCV, the valve itself isnt too bad, usually dealers will have it in stock, otherwise youcan order it off NAPA. I would change the plugs, run a fuel system cleaner, techrons a good injector cleaner but youll have better luck with Amsoil P.i. or redline SL-1 (oreillys will usually have it). The oil may not make a huge difference but running a good ×W-40 weight oil will quiet the engine and also will lubricate better. I just changed out the Amsoil in my truck and put in M1 5W-30 and its noticeably louder.

Is cleaning the valve sufficient or does it need to be replaced?

Yeah, I think plugs, fuel system cleaner (I don't have O'Reilly's, only Autozone, Advance Auto, and NAPA), air filter and oil change using a 5w40 is a good place to start. I'm assuming 5w40 is good for my climate year round?

Thanks again.

Mike

[beamertruck]

Yup, i run it here with no issues. That depends, i actually just cleaned them and didnt have any issues. Again it just really depends on your situation if you want to save a trip to the autoparts store i can get you the plugs, MANN filters, fuel system cleaner and oil. Otherwise you can get the pennzoil euro 5W-40, you can do a bottle of techron with a half bottle of Lucas UCL all available at autozone, can also pick up the plugs from there then run over to NAPA for the filters.

[twastheglow]

Originally Posted by beamertruck

Yup, i run it here with no issues. That depends, i actually just cleaned them and didnt have any issues. Again it just really depends on your situation if you want to save a trip to the autoparts store i can get you the plugs, MANN filters, fuel system cleaner and oil. Otherwise you can get the pennzoil euro 5W-40, you can do a bottle of techron with a half bottle of Lucas UCL all available at autozone, can also pick up the plugs from there then run over to NAPA for the filters.

If it weren't for the fact that I'm planning on doing all this tomorrow, I WOULD grab some things for you. But the timing just isn't there. I will, however, keep you in mind for the next time around. Thanks a lot for all the words of wisdom and advice. I will do these things tomorrow and follow up.

Mike