2017 sightseer check engine light

tws

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RV LIFE Pro
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Apr 6, 2021
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Des Moines
I have the V10 gas engine. The check engine light has been coming on for sometime now. We have replaced plugs, a couple of times, and ignition coil packs. Also new air filters. I can reset the code but after 30 - 100 miles it comes back. It only gives the generic random misfire, and doesn't give any details. I have had 3 different mechanics look at it. The consensus is that until something shows up, there is nothing else they know to do. Would love to hear if anyone else has had this problem.
 
If you’re asking if this is a common occurrence, the answer is, not really.

You might try more experienced mechanics with better testing tools??
 
Not helpful. Mechanics and testing were very experienced and had the best tools.
 
Sorry you didn’t find that helpful. But, it’s a gas engine not a rocket ship. It’s not like it’s just a common thing with 2017 Sighteers and it’s also not unknowable. What could it possibly be that can’t be discovered by “three separate experienced technicians with the latest diagnostic equipment?”

With that engine spark plugs, plug wires, plug caps, and coils are all indicators of random misfires. But there’s also the ECU. Exhaust leaks are common, but I doubt that would lead to a misfire.

The V10 F53 is used in lots of motorhomes from lots of manufacturers. This is a generic engine issue. Perhaps casting a broader net would be a good idea. You might try asking at the Ford Chassis forum at www.irv2.com for more specific diagnostic ideas. Maybe some people with different brands have a similar experience.
 
Thank you. That's the kind of response I was hoping to get. Because none of the usual/obvious possibilities seemed to be the cause and the ECU was checked I was hoping someone else had a similar experience. The thing I didn't mention is that there is no "feeling" like it's misfiring while driving. I wasn't aware of the Ford Chassis forum and will check it out.
 
One other thing to consider, which probably already has, the catalytic converter has an oxygen sensor that provides emissions info to the ECU and if it's missing or inoperative that certainly would throw a check engine light. I don't know what the error would be.

You've alluded to the OBD errors for misfire but not the exact error messages. Surely there is more detailed info other than "misfire."
 
One that might be happening is now due to an overload with tech! Some of the mechs are now so used to tech telling them what to do that they never connect their brain!
One easy thing to cause misfire and never get found by highly trained techs is just simple bad plug wires.
They can come loose and as we drive fall on some engine part to short out and misfire. But when the techs doo the high value computer stuff, they fail to think about the wire only shorting as we drive, so the computer never shows the fault!
Real human eyes can find the burned spot but that requires engaging the brain and willingness to WORK the problem!
If they get the misfire when it is at their shop, have they connected it to a scope to show the misfire and does it show which plug? Or does it show it is a random misfire, putting the problem into other items that might cause random misfires?
OBD is a tool but it is meant to be a first stop, not the final answer!

I traded my last car because the computer kept telling them it was the battery, even though they agreed they had changed the battery twice already! It had a bug somewhere but three dealerships and many, many trips and they never found it, so we sold it to a dealer!
 
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Your misfire is random, but here's a similar misfire that's more consistent.
It was a bad coil pack on one cylinder.

Also, the V10 is good at loosening and even blowing plugs. And the blow by can ruin coil packs. So, even with changed plugs it can come loose and cause all kinds of issues.
 
I got random misfire codes occasionally too from new so I called Ford tech support while the chassis was still under warranty. No performance issues and nothing else to suggest a problem. The tech explained that there are some pretty minor things that could cause it like changing gasoline octane/quality, elevation, etc.

I didn’t find that very helpful so I began paying closer attention to what was happening when the check engine light came on. I do carry a code reader to verify & reset the random misfire code. Anyway, I noticed mine occurred in hilly areas. What I eventually noticed was when descending a hill using engine braking, at the bottom when I hit the gas pedal to accelerate out of the lower gear, the code would flash. It was consistent and I have no idea why it happens. I’m at 40K miles at present and it doesn’t happen very often anymore, but on those rare occasions it’s always after engine braking, go figure… I’m not suggesting yours is the same reason, just some more info to chew on. Hope you get it figured out.
 

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