Potential fuel issue?

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kryptto

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Same here MSD has a history get some Ford replacements
 
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I pulled the plug from cyl 2 today and compared it with cyl 6 and they both looked ok. So I swapped the coils and went for a drive. The misfire followed the coil to cyl 6 so I think it’s safe to say that coil is bad? I don’t believe they are oem coils (unless they came from the factory with MSD) but they’ve been on the car the whole time I’ve owned it.
Since money is tight it might be a good idea to hit the salvage yard to get you by. Motorcraft DG549 looks to fit 3.5eb, 3.5na, 3.7, 5.0, and 6.2. Plenty of 3.5 and 3.7s in junkyards, looks like motorcraft new ranges from $60-$80 each, can probably get a set out of a junkyard for $120.
 
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@BradM and @kryptto are OEM the best you can get performance wise? I was considering doing the switch to MSD as a supporting upgrade to eventual tuning but now I'm hesitant. is there any difference in performance between OEM and MSD or is there a better option? (don't mean to hijack the thread, since our problem is similar figured I'd ask)
 

kryptto

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I have Accel coil packs.... Tbh next time I am switching to OEM. My problem with the OEM no matter how I twisted and gently pry them up I broke 2 plastic disks that protect the holes in the valve covers.

Now I changed mine at 27k they were in very tight.
 

Ta2dResqr

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I have been running the same MSD coils for 3 years. I bought them "used" off Amazon. Someone returned them unused and the packing label was cut off the box and damaging the box. My first car was hit head on and totaled. I pulled the coils out of that car and put them into this car. They have easily over 60k miles on them. I have not had a single issue. I do have my stock coils on the shelf but, that is not because of distrust in the MSD parts, I have EVERY part I have taken off the car.

When GearHead tested the MSD coils, they saw ~9 hp consistently over 5k rpm. They also said it had better drivability.
https://www.drivingline.com/article...ormance-coil-packs-for-ford-ecoboost-engines/
 

kryptto

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I have been running the same MSD coils for 3 years. I bought them "used" off Amazon. Someone returned them unused and the packing label was cut off the box and damaging the box. My first car was hit head on and totaled. I pulled the coils out of that car and put them into this car. They have easily over 60k miles on them. I have not had a single issue. I do have my stock coils on the shelf but, that is not because of distrust in the MSD parts, I have EVERY part I have taken off the car.

When GearHead tested the MSD coils, they saw ~9 hp consistently over 5k rpm. They also said it had better drivability.
https://www.drivingline.com/article...ormance-coil-packs-for-ford-ecoboost-engines/
I always enjoy learning more - however there are multiple complaints about them online - I blame Holley TBH - any of those corporate takeovers and cost cutting goes into place, I shouldnt balk too loudly Accel - owned by - Holley. I recall when I bought them I figured they might be MSD components.

 
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so its a toss up, oem is reliable but msd does have some performance gains, question is if its enough to take the leap that you might get a good set.
 

BradM

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@BradM and @kryptto are OEM the best you can get performance wise? I was considering doing the switch to MSD as a supporting upgrade to eventual tuning but now I'm hesitant. is there any difference in performance between OEM and MSD or is there a better option? (don't mean to hijack the thread, since our problem is similar figured I'd ask)
I don't run MSD so I can only share my general opinion. I would not toss out good OEM coils simply to upgrade for performance. I don't see a good enough cost/benefit ratio. If I did need to replace coil packs on a built engine, I wouldn't jump to MSD because of quality issues. A lot of the major brands have trademark programs in place for the run-of-the-mill autoparts so they are made by someone else (I know this from experience). I'd research what else is available and see what the cost/benefit ratio looks like (and avoid China Inc. as much as possible...Taiwan is better). My approach to building a car is to avoid blind brand loyalty and the "bigger must be better" mindset. But sometimes I can't help myself :)
 

SHOdded

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you really have to spend $$$ to eke out significant gains in power these days. manufacturers are not unaware of the various upgrades people used to do to add "easy" power. so an individual upgrade to a coil or intake or throttle body doesn't really work. now you have to take things together as a system. then it becomes a question of what is a supporting actor and what is the lead. imho, a tune is really the lead, as it is the heart of powertrain performance.

maintenance and enhancing longevitywise options continue to be a wide open field. manufacturers don't really care about that lol.
 
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you really have to spend $$$ to eke out significant gains in power these days. manufacturers are not unaware of the various upgrades people used to do to add "easy" power. so an individual upgrade to a coil or intake or throttle body doesn't really work. now you have to take things together as a system. then it becomes a question of what is a supporting actor and what is the lead. imho, a tune is really the lead, as it is the heart of powertrain performance.

maintenance and enhancing longevitywise options continue to be a wide open field. manufacturers don't really care about that lol.
Couldn't agree more, a coil upgrade alone I'd imagine wouldn't change much at all, but with a tune planned for the future and coils needing replaced now is it worth taking the risk on MSD knowing their issues or will the Ford coils be sufficient to get the most out of the tune?
 

BradM

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Couldn't agree more, a coil upgrade alone I'd imagine wouldn't change much at all, but with a tune planned for the future and coils needing replaced now is it worth taking the risk on MSD knowing their issues or will the Ford coils be sufficient to get the most out of the tune?
Look at my signature and see where I got with OEM turbos, injectors, charge pipes, and ignition. I would bet MSD coils wouldn't change anything and if someone wants to donate some to me I'll test them :)
 

c man

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Your diagnosis is correct. MSD is not OEM and I've heard folks complain about MSD coils.
"New guy" here - actually been here a few years, just not ON here. Starting to get into it more.
Saw this thread, and ironically had the SAME STUFF goin on with my 2011 back in December! Crazy huh?
CEL and code said cylinder 3 misfiring.
Anyway, I went the route of replacing all coils and plugs.
It worked.
But I seem to have developed a slight "shudder" now. And only when I'm on the accelerator. If I take my foot off the pedal, it smooths out nicely.
No CEL. Even runs pretty smooth if I pass someone on the highway.
Just that little shutter in there that wasn't there before. Even small enough to be considered more like a "vibration" at times.
So, I feel like its a fuel issue, in some way.
Could even be a sometimes-sticky valve...?
Any thoughts from the super minds on here would be much appreciated...
 
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BradM

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I don't know how many miles you have on it but I'd try running a can of Seafoam through the fuel system and spray a can in the intake. After that it can get pretty theoretical for "slight shudder" problems. Maybe it's time for walnut blasting the intake.
 

yaycandy

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"New guy" here - actually been here a few years, just not ON here. Starting to get into it more.
Saw this thread, and ironically had the SAME STUFF goin on with my 2011 back in December! Crazy huh?
CEL and code said cylinder 3 misfiring.
Anyway, I went the route of replacing all coils and plugs.
It worked.
But I seem to have developed a slight "shudder" now. And only when I'm on the accelerator. If I take my foot off the pedal, it smooths out nicely.
No CEL. Even runs pretty smooth if I pass someone on the highway.
Just that little shutter in there that wasn't there before. Even small enough to be considered more like a "vibration" at times.
So, I feel like its a fuel issue, in some way.
Could even be a sometimes-sticky valve...?
Any thoughts from the super minds on here would be much appreciated...
No cel, then i would suspect the torque converter.
 

kryptto

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It sounds like it's a 50/50 between torque and slight rough idle.
 

c man

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It sounds like it's a 50/50 between torque and slight rough idle.
The idle is as smooth as glass. In fact you can hardly hear it!
I am in the middle of a can 'o seafoam in the tank. SEEMS to be running a little better. But that could just be hopeful / wishful thinking on my part.
How would I be able to tell better in case of TC? Take it to a tranny shop?
 

Ta2dResqr

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FWIW - The Seafoam seems to be helping.
SeaFoam is great stuff. I have used it to clean up carbs after sitting awhile, clean out oil passages on Mopar MDS systems, etc. I try to put it in the tank and in the oil just before an oil change a couple times a year.
 

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