New to Ford. Just trying to take care of my Marauder

[04allstock]

I just bought an 04 marauder as my first "nice car" (as opposed to my originally owned 250k mi 96 tacoma that seems to run better the more I beat the crap out of it.) I want to baby the marauder and feed it the healthiest food. I'm looking for advice.

Just a few questions:

Firstly, my goal is not to mod out or race this car. I just plan on keeping it nice, keeping it purring, and keeping it in good condition for as long as possible in its original condition minus routine maintenance. But of course I have a heavy foot. I didn't buy the marauder to drive like granny.

1. I took it in for a tranny & diff service (no flush, new filter). They used service pro global full synthetic multi-vehicle ATF, Carquest 80w-90 gear oil (neglected to add friction modifier until I started noticing problems and took it back) at which point they added trans ex positrac additive and charged me for it. I have since learned (from reading these threads) the suggested ATF is Mercon V and the suggested gear oil would be 75w-140 redline or royal purple with FM added. My question is this: Is what I have in there now really bad? Do I need to immediately put the recommended stuff in? What's the worst that could happen If I wait a while and get some use of the crap fluid/gear oil before changing it to the "good stuff? Also, could there be permanent damage done to my clutches or diff from driving without FM for a couple months? The previous symptoms from lack of FM are completely gone now.

2. I started noticing, before I took it to the above shop, a symptom that seems most likely to be a misfire. It will sputter or mis at low rpm while under a load like right before a down-shift while going up a hill. It seems like it should just shift down, but instead sputters or bucks. I got new plugs (auto lite iridium), new springs and boots, but did not replace the coils. The issue definitely improved, but was not fully cured. Do I just need to get new coils all together? The removed plugs look like they wore just fine but are obviously very old, possibly original (60k mi.) and one of the springs is burnt on one side, but not a carbony sooty type of burn. If you believe I need coils, which coil packs would you recommend? And which plugs would you recommend?

3. What is yalls experience with the ethanol in the marauder? I have ONE station on the other side of town that sells ethanol-free premium.

Sorry if these questions sound newbie, I've just never had to worry about these issues before because I've never had a car I wanted to take care of as opposed to just keep running. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and respond. :burnout:

[CoreyM75]

Welcome.

I would have the trans fluid changed to Mercon V. The stutter should be a coil, which is super easy to change out. I would change the plugs at the same time. As for the premium gas, I use Costco or Shell when I get gas. I wouldn't use an ethanol based gas.

[FordNut]

Instead of throwing parts at it, go to a dealer and have them hook up their diagnostic computer to it. Then you'll know which cylinder to look at if it has a single bad coil.

I wouldn't call it an "emergency, don't drive it" kind of issue, but I would change the transmission fluid before too long. Have it hooked up to a flushing machine so all of the old fluid is flushed from the converter, pumps, etc and replaced with the correct Mercon V fluid.

The rear end will be fine.

Wife's car has any 93 octane premium I can find. Sam's Club, Walmart, Kroger, wherever I can get the best price. It's pretty much all 10% ethanol. I don't use the local places with 92 octane premium. There is usually a station across the street with 93 at the same price, so why get cheated out of an octane point? 260k miles.

It has always been fed Mobil1 full synthetic every 5000 miles.

[slickster]

+1 on the tacos. My 01 sr5 4cyl has 98k miles and will outlive me!!. How many miles on the mm? Sometimes after so many miles it's not good to replace the tranny filter. I've seen a few people had there tranny went out right after a filter change!!. I bet 100 ur stutter problem is a coil

[slickster]

Also install Ss break line kit. Stock lines give way too soft pedal feel very dangerous

[lifespeed]

Instead of throwing parts at it, go to a dealer and have them hook up their diagnostic computer to it. Then you'll know which cylinder to look at if it has a single bad coil.

Diagnosis before throwing parts at something is generally good advice. But the original ignition coils fail on many cars. There is little value in trying to nail down which one is misfiring. The PCM can't reliably identify an intermittent misfire down to a single cylinder, and it could easily be one misfiring sometimes and a different coil at other times. In this case put the money into a new set of ignition coils rather than paying somebody to read the codes, assuming you are sure it is a misfire. They aren't that expensive. Use Ford coils, they have been redesigned and actually last a long time now and aren't that expensive.

[FordNut]

Diagnosis before throwing parts at something is generally good advice. But the original ignition coils fail on many cars. There is little value in trying to nail down which one is misfiring. The PCM can't reliably identify an intermittent misfire down to a single cylinder, and it could easily be one misfiring sometimes and a different coil at other times. In this case put the money into a new set of ignition coils rather than paying somebody to read the codes, assuming you are sure it is a misfire. They aren't that expensive. Use Ford coils, they have been redesigned and actually last a long time now and aren't that expensive.

So what if it's not the coils? Throwing parts at it...

The dealer's diagnostic computer can see things the PCM can't. That's why it can diagnose problems even if the PCM doesn't throw a code.

[lifespeed]

So what if it's not the coils? Throwing parts at it...

What else would cause an ignition misfire, the flux capacitor? :D

This is just one of those well-known issues myself and many others have been through.

[FordNut]

Last time I had a slight misfire I changed plugs. Changed coils. Still there. Took it to the dealer, diagnostic computer says low compression on cylinder 8. No wrenches required. Then I checked the compression and sure 'nuff they were right.

Been there, done that. Threw parts at it and wasted time, money, and work.

Yeah, the flux capacitor...

[justbob]

What else would cause an ignition misfire, the flux capacitor? :D

This is just one of those well-known issues myself and many others have been through.


A simple vacuum leak, bad injector, pinched coil wire, fuel pump, and valves to name a few.

I've had a pinched coil wire and a intermittent pump issue in just my car alone. Still on the factory coils at 104,000.


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[lifespeed]

Last time I had a slight misfire I changed plugs. Changed coils. Still there. Took it to the dealer, diagnostic computer says low compression on cylinder 8. No wrenches required. Then I checked the compression and sure 'nuff they were right.

Been there, done that. Threw parts at it and wasted time, money, and work.

Yeah, the flux capacitor...

Same cylinder every time. Rhythmic, not ignition.

[FordNut]

Same cylinder every time. Rhythmic, not ignition.

Nope, just an intermittent stumble at takeoff.

[loud2004marquis]

If it were me, I would put new coils in and see if it fixes it. If the originals weren't bad, you got a brand new set for when they do go bad.

[FordNut]

Last time I had a slight misfire I changed plugs. Changed coils. Still there. Took it to the dealer, diagnostic computer says low compression on cylinder 8. No wrenches required. Then I checked the compression and sure 'nuff they were right.

Been there, done that. Threw parts at it and wasted time, money, and work.

Yeah, the flux capacitor...

Forgot to mention, the final outcome... about 15k miles later, it hasn't changed. no better, no worse. I suppose it could be a valve or valve seat. This is the wife's car with 260k, I think I'll just keep driving it and ignore the occasional stumble until it turns into a dead miss. Who knows, it may go another 100k. Or maybe it will lay down in 5 miles...

[Bradley G]

Diagnosis before throwing parts at something is generally good advice. But the original ignition coils fail on many cars. There is little value in trying to nail down which one is misfiring. The PCM can't reliably identify an intermittent misfire down to a single cylinder, and it could easily be one misfiring sometimes and a different coil at other times. In this case put the money into a new set of ignition coils rather than paying somebody to read the codes, assuming you are sure it is a misfire. They aren't that expensive. Use Ford coils, they have been redesigned and actually last a long time now and aren't that expensive.
Care to elaborate on the new and improved design?
Has the price gone down or is there a deal for 8 ?
I paid around 80.00 for one Motorcraft coil trying to diagnose a mis five years ago.
I'm still on the stock coils too, thirteen years 128K.


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[sailsmen]

Just replace the Marauder with one that doesn't "misfire".

[FordNut]

Care to elaborate on the new and improved design?
Has the price gone down or is there a deal for 8 ?
I paid around 80.00 for one Motorcraft coil trying to diagnose a mis five years ago.
I'm still on the stock coils too, thirteen years 128K.


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That was my point. Paying $80 each for a full set of coils and then finding out it doesn't fix anything is a b**ch. Then having to go to the dealer for the diagnostic test anyway and finding out the only real options are 1) valve job/engine rebuild or 2) just live with it.

[Bradley G]

That was my point. Paying $80 each for a full set of coils and then finding out it doesn't fix anything is a b**ch. Then having to go to the dealer for the diagnostic test anyway and finding out the only real options are 1) valve job/engine rebuild or 2) just live with it.
It's nice to have a good spare , for when funds are limited!
My first choice would be to have it diagnosed.

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[lifespeed]

Care to elaborate on the new and improved design?
Has the price gone down or is there a deal for 8 ?
I paid around 80.00 for one Motorcraft coil trying to diagnose a mis five years ago.
I'm still on the stock coils too, thirteen years 128K.

You can get them from Sparta performance, I bought from Tasca parts when mine went bad. Like any OEM part, there is the price walking in to your local stealership and the mail order price for the exact same parts. You should be able to get a full set for not much more than $300.

I don't have inside information on exactly what they changed. The part number is different, and I am not aware of anybody who has replaced the original coils and had them fail a second time. I did notice burn-through marks from arcing on the secondary side of the coils, and of course don't see this on their replacements.

I replaced the OEM set at 40K and it fixed the misfire. They went misfire-free until 140K when the engine spun a bearing. I intend to continue using them after the rebuild.

[Gryphonzus]

It could also be the infamous horrible shift program. Are you running the original factory program? If so you might want to consider a Xcal and a program from Mo's speed shop. It makes a world of difference in how it drives.

[Marauderjack]

I had 256K miles on my original coils (never missed a lick!) and replaced with new take-offs from Musclemerc when we rebuilt the motor....just made sense at that time not to use the older ones!!:rolleyes:

I still have that OEM set and will give them to the OP if he will pay shipping!!:beer:

[04allstock]

Wow! Thanks a lot for all the replies! I was expecting an email when I got a reply, but I guess my settings are wrong. I'll try to address as many of the relevant replies as I can, but there's a lot.

So I did get the diagnostics when I took it in before they replaced the springs/boots, and drove for about 20 minutes with the mechanic in the car and it didn't throw a code once, even though it did sputter plenty. The marauder has 60k on it. I keep hearing coils coils coils. So yes, there's a chance it's not a coil, but screw it. I'm getting coils. This mm was driven by an old man who put 40k on it in 10 years in flat New Mexico. I'm driving with a heavy foot in the mountains of NC. That was the main reason I was worried about the tranny. Is the incorrect gear oil weight going to cause any serious issues?

Thanks again, guys. Nice forum! I look forward to sharing my experience and letting yall know if the coils win.

[Bradley G]

When I see high horsepower cars running OEM coils , the bright yellow or red aftermarket coils that are touted to be "all that", !

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[Bradley G]

Not a believer!

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[Gerry24]

Keep us posted on what transpires... Good luck

[04allstock]

Found a diff mechanic that I have a better feeling about. He actually took the time to diagnose the problem. He has a friend with well running stock mm and he compared the diagnostics between the two and discovered a problem with my pre-cat o2 sensors. How he knew mine was the one that looked funny and not his, i dont know. I guess just because the other one purrs, and mine doesn't. He has some technical garble to explain why this made sense but it was over my head. Just wanted to let yall know. Unfortunately im driving out of town tomorrow morning and he wont get the part until thursday, so i will have to wait until i get back to see if that finally fixes it. I will keep yall updated. Who knows? Maybe I'll just find a place to replace them while im in texas. Thanks again for the replies.

[crownvic97]

Hope you are able to find out what the problem is.

[04allstock]

It was a coil pack.

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

The hose that connect to the PCV valve can cause the same problem if it is cracked.

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

I've replaced 4 coils, 2 due to spark plug popping out
and the #4 cylinder twice. Mileage: 215,000+

[BAD MERC]

Welcome to the forum!! Your username may be a little anticipatory but before long you'll need to change it from :geezer: to :burn:.

[RubberCtyRauder]

holy year old thread

[BAD MERC]

holy year old thread

Yep - I never paid attention in Space Camp either...