White smoke, misfire, no CEL

[BobSmith]

I'm a couple days in on doing searches, and can't find anything with symptoms that match.

The car will billow white smoke, but it will clear up. Maybe 3-5 minutes worth. But then stops completely.

Misfire- at first it was at idle, and corresponded with the white smoke. It too, would stop.
Now, it's gone into a low rpm, under load misfire. Even when the car isn't billowing smoke.
(I'm assuming misfire, that's what it feels like).

No CEL. Oil is not milky. No major loss of coolant. No other symptoms.

I just spent $3k plus on the pump/chain. Was hoping to throw down on a hpfp and dp. I darn sure hope it's not catastrophic. Plus the dealership is 2 months out.

Any input would be greatly, greatly appreciated.

 

[Majestic]

Did you have the plugs changed when they did the chain/pump?

 

[BobSmith]

Did you have the plugs changed when they did the chain/pump?

You know, I'm not sure, I'll have to look. I had some brand new ones in it from Gearhead when I did the AO.

 

[Majestic]

Right after I had the chain/pump replaced I had the same issue. I took it back and they changed the plugs. Has been fine since.

 

[BobSmith]

Right after I had the chain/pump replaced I had the same issue. I took it back and they changed the plugs. Has been fine since.

Thanks, good info! worth a try. I still have the ones I took out of it that only have 3k miles on them.

 

[ridered74]

Mine would billow white smoke if I'd idle for over 5 minutes, then would stop as soon as I started driving. PCV valve fixed it.

 

[yaycandy]

Mine would billow white smoke if I'd idle for over 5 minutes, then would stop as soon as I started driving. PCV valve fixed it.

Sorry its a direct reply and a general thread reply in the same post.

Yea that fixed my issue also. Pcv valves are often overlooked and can cause the issue. From Ford you can get them cheap and they are easy to install.

Trying to word this easily for most people but there is like a marble in it so it can internally open and close with pressure. It gets caked up with oily gunk thats found everywhere in the upper intake and makes it not seat correctly. Possible to clean it but they are cheap enough that its easier to just buy a new one. Id replace it if it hasn’t been done yet and then maybe clean it good with a spray cleaner at every other oil change or so.

Some years of the gen 4 sho have an oil separator under the pcv valve in the valve cover. I never owned one with that setup so im not sure if the valve cover needs removed to clean it internally with the pcv valve. My new engine had that valve cover type but i reused my cars factory valve cover pcv setup on the new engine incase there would of been routing issues

 

[SHOdded]

if none of the above suggestions pan out, check turbo cooler lines. fingers crossed it is plugs or pcv valve. pcv valve is a known problem on these engines.

 

[BobSmith]

Thanks for the input so far everyone.

Little update; I took the pvc valve off and cleaned it (just to see) with no improvement.

I've got an appointment to drop it off tomorrow, although I'm not optimistic as they said without a cel they won't be able to see anything about the misfire.
But, I'll keep everyone updated none the less.

Thanks again for taking the time to give me tips. Feel free to continue with suggestions!

 

[luigisho]

who did the timing work? Did the misfire happen right after the repair? Was it doing this before the timing work?

Did you pull out the tune and map and try going to stock config?

 

[BobSmith]

who did the timing work? Did the misfire happen right after the repair? Was it doing this before the timing work?

Did you pull out the tune and map and try going to stock config?

Local shop did the timing and water pump.
They seemed familiar with the job.

It had not done this before. It started about 2 months or 1500 miles after I got it back.

I have not pulled out the ao tune.

 

[luigisho]

huh. You check for low coolant, oil in coolant headgasket type failure stuff? Hopefully it is something easy. Curious. Post back if they find anything.

 

[BobSmith]

huh. You check for low coolant, oil in coolant headgasket type failure stuff? Hopefully it is something easy. Curious. Post back if they find anything.

Coolant is maybe 1/2" low. Honestly not sure if it's been like that since pump/chain replacement or not. I know, shame on me.
Oil level, appearance, and smell seems perfect.
I will 100% post all updates here for sure. Thanks!

 

[BobSmith]

Update: Shop said pcv valve and oil separator (which means valve cover as well). Quoted $1100.
I brought it home, replaced pcv valve with a new Motorcraft unit, and still has a low rpm misfire while under load.
I'm need to do some research on the oil separator and see what that involves, what my options are, and if that is even something that could cause my symptoms.

 

[Majestic]

Did you change the plugs?

 

[BobSmith]

Did you change the plugs?

No, I just got it back from the shop.
Currently it does have the plugs in it I got from Gearhead. About 2000 miles-ish ago.

 

[Majestic]

No, I just got it back from the shop.
Currently it does have the plugs in it I got from Gearhead. About 2000 miles-ish ago.

Mine had low miles when it went in for the chain/pump/etc. Swap them and see. It's a cheap and quick job.

 

[BobSmith]

Mine had low miles when it went in for the chain/pump/etc. Swap them and see. It's a cheap and quick job.

10-4. Will get that done, thankfully it's nice this week, and report back.
Thanks!

 

[BobSmith]

New update:
Replaced oil seperator with Ford part number AA5Z-6A785-F. This bolted right on with no need to change valve cover.
Zero improvement on issue.

The car runs and drives perfectly in all scenarios, except, when normally accelerating from a stop, and I reach my target speed, and the car shifts into whatever gear is going to be cruising gear for that speed, and I then put it under any load at all (hill or mild acceleration) the car will begin to shudder. Felt like a misfire before. But now, not so sure.
If I shift manually and do not let it drop below 2100 +/- rpm, it will not do this.
EDIT: while this is going on, tach does jump around.
It is yet to do any of this at highway speeds.

I'm beginning to think it's something else, of which I don't even want to think about

I'm going to step away from the car for the evening and clear my mind. And try to think of a plan of attack from here, aside from the spark plugs.

 

[Texas Marauder]

Torque converter shudder feels like a misfire. How many miles on car? Has the transmission fluid been changed? Doesn't explain the white smoke. Maybe more than one problem.