I notice several posts with the same problem of engine misfire.
I too suffer from this and the elusive solution.

My tribute seems to misfire around the lower to mid range RPM through all the gears(Manual)once over say 4500rpm it goes well and smooth.
But trying to get to that point is a task. I keep having to back off the accelerator and back on again, to kind of get it anywhere.
A real pain.
It also coughs a lot through the intake I guess.
It would be in circumstances like when I am slowing to turn a corner and put my foot on the pedal again and it'll cough.

I cannot get it fixed. The code just says #4 misfire but it is an across the board misfire. I've had the injectors cleaned, serviced plugs changed. It has new leads.
Someone suggested a new fuel pump. but have you seen the prices LOL. Not until I know. Can anyone please, please shed some light.

steve

 

i am thinking coils, personally. it sounds to me like the coils just need a jump start to get running. i am not the resident tribute expert, but that's what it sounds like to me.

 

What kind of mileage on the vehicle? have you changed any of the coilpacks?

 

Hi,

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate it. The vehicle has done about 80k. The coils to my knowledge have not been looked at.

I live in Western Samoa over in the other half of this world and tributes (and parts) are not abundant. Mechanics here tend to analyse by change it and see type fault finding hence their recommendation for the fuel pump change.

It idles with a slight miss but revs out ok under no load. The coils packs have not been changed nor are available. I'd have to order them in.
Is there a general testing procedure for these without some sophisticated testing machine.
Regards
Steve

 

Move the coil that is in the #4 position to another cylinder and see if the misfire follows the coilpack. (Your error code was saying misfire on #4 correct?)

 

that is the best plan if you don't have testing equipment.

you could check it with a probe-type voltometer, but that requires a fairly sophisticated voltometer.

if you really can't find parts at a decent price, i could play middle-man for you and send you one. i don't know how that would stack up price wise, but it is a sure find.

 

The idea of moving the coil to another cylinder is the correct next step if you don't have the test equipment(which can do a stress test on the coils).Being that the Tribute is a Ford Escape,you should be able to obtain most of the parts needed from a Ford dealer.

 

as others have said, move the coil to another cyl. #4 is easy to get to and i would switch that coil with cyl#6. code should change from a P0304 to a P0306 after driving for a while. if the dtc does not change, move the fuel injector to cyl#5. assuming compression is ok. if still no change wiggle test the harness close to the pcm (at the firewall). ford pulls the wiring pretty tight and i have seen a few broken wires at the pcm connector.