# 3.0 Engine Misfire on 2001 Ford Taurus **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [April 17, 2016, 12:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/3-0-engine-misfire-on-2001-ford-taurus/93051 "2016-04-17T00:55:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![marktwark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e95f7d/32.png) [@marktwark](https://community.cartalk.com/u/marktwark)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2016, 12:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/3-0-engine-misfire-on-2001-ford-taurus/93051/1 "2016-04-17T00:55:27Z")
I had a consistent misfire on this car and finally got a P0301 trouble code. I installed new Autolite AP 104 plugs and wires. Now, when I start the engine. it runs perfectly. But when I put it in gear, it misfires. After a minute or so, the misfire clears and the engine runs perfectly. I have not received another trouble code. One thing I did notice is that the plugs I took out (Motorcraft AWSF 32P) had a much larger gap than the .044 the associate at AutoZone set the new plugs to. Sure would appreciate some suggestions. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2016, 4:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/3-0-engine-misfire-on-2001-ford-taurus/93051/2 "2016-04-17T04:47:19Z")
The plug gap grows wider b/c the electrodes wear away the more miles driven. If it gets too wide the engine will ping and misfire. That can also damage the coil(s). B/c of the wide gap you noticed in the plugs you removed, suspect a damaged coil. ---
**Author:** ![marktwark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e95f7d/32.png) [@marktwark](https://community.cartalk.com/u/marktwark)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2016, 4:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/3-0-engine-misfire-on-2001-ford-taurus/93051/3 "2016-04-17T04:50:17Z")
Thanks for that reply. I appreciate it! ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2016, 5:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/3-0-engine-misfire-on-2001-ford-taurus/93051/4 "2016-04-17T17:42:41Z")
My taurus plugs had .090 gap when i had my misfire code. Than the coil had to be replaced a few months later. But I have the 12v motor.replace ur PCV elbow too. Did u take off the wiper cowl to remove the rear plugs? U didn’t say so I assume u have 24v motor. ---
**Author:** ![marktwark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e95f7d/32.png) [@marktwark](https://community.cartalk.com/u/marktwark)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2016, 2:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/3-0-engine-misfire-on-2001-ford-taurus/93051/5 "2016-04-18T02:28:28Z")
Thanks for your reply. I am unsure of your reference to the “PVC elbow” and “12v motor”. I did not have to remove anything to remove the rear plugs. Thanks again for your reply. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2016, 2:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/3-0-engine-misfire-on-2001-ford-taurus/93051/6 "2016-04-18T02:51:35Z")
12 valve is Vulcan motor. 24 v is duratec. Vulcan has 1 coil. If u changed plugs ur self, u might be aware of that. Some folks are blissfully ignorant. Which is not the same as not smart. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2016, 5:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/3-0-engine-misfire-on-2001-ford-taurus/93051/7 "2016-04-18T05:11:25Z")
If OP changed the rear plugs without removing anything else, I’m thinking Vulcan motor I’m also thinking Vulcan, because it was by far the more common motor in 2001 ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2016, 7:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/3-0-engine-misfire-on-2001-ford-taurus/93051/8 "2016-04-18T07:07:22Z")
Any chance this is an idle problem (vacuum leak, Idle Air Valve, etc) problem? It sounds like you’re referring to a stumble due to the idle dropping a bit low when you engage the transmission.