# Cylinder 6 Misfire on Explorer **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** cylinder, explorer, sparkplugs, ford, misfire\ **Created:** [November 21, 2009, 4:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cylinder-6-misfire-on-explorer/39809 "2009-11-21T16:52:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kcbass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@kcbass](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kcbass)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2009, 4:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cylinder-6-misfire-on-explorer/39809/1 "2009-11-21T16:52:22Z")
My check engine light came on, and the garage told me it was a misfire in cylinder 6 and that a new plug may solve the issue. I have a new plug and am ready to install, but I need to know which cylinder is number 6. I’ve changed plugs before, but only ever done them all at once, so I don’t know the numbering convention. Can anyone verify which plug to change? ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2009, 5:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cylinder-6-misfire-on-explorer/39809/2 "2009-11-21T17:01:05Z")
Exploders came with several engines. Which one is installed in yours?? ---
**Author:** ![kcbass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@kcbass](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kcbass)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2009, 5:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cylinder-6-misfire-on-explorer/39809/3 "2009-11-21T17:05:10Z")
It’s a XLS series with a V6 4.0 L. Anything more specific I’ll have to go hunt down ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2009, 5:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cylinder-6-misfire-on-explorer/39809/4 "2009-11-21T17:19:14Z")
[http://www.motorator.com/questions/139](http://www.motorator.com/questions/139) # 6 is the rear cylinder on the drivers side…You might as well change ALL the plugs and get ready to buy a COP for #6. Remove the COPs and their connectors with care. Any liquid down in the plug sockets? If the plugs resist removal in any way, STOP, try tightening them just a LITTLE first, then back them out a little, STOP, soak them with PB-Blaster, WAIT, work them back and forth a little, and carefully remove them. That way, the threads stay in the head and don’t come out with the plug. Apply anti-seize to the threads of the new plugs… ---
**Author:** ![kcbass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@kcbass](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kcbass)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 4:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cylinder-6-misfire-on-explorer/39809/5 "2009-11-22T04:00:40Z")
Thanks for the great info. Changed out number six and the car is running like new. No more sputtering, and after driving for about 30 mins the check engine light turned off. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 5:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cylinder-6-misfire-on-explorer/39809/6 "2009-11-22T05:06:59Z")
You should still change all of the plugs. While the vehicle may appear to be running fine to you I’d bet the performance is suffering a bit; you just don’t physically notice it. And don’t be surprised in the future if the No. 6 COP goes bad because failing spark plugs will kill or weaken a coil.