CEL: PO301 - Cylinder 1 misfire

[REVSWIN]

P0301 through P0310 - Misfire Detection Monitor The misfire detection monitor is designed to monitor engine misfire and identify the specific cylinder in which the misfire has occurred. Misfire is defined as lack of combustion in a cylinder due to absence of spark, poor fuel metering, poor compression, or any other cause. Ignition system
Fuel injectors
Running out of fuel
EVAP canister purge valve
Fuel pressure
Evaporative emission system
Base engine
The MIL will blink once per second when a misfire is detected severe enough to cause catalyst damage. If the MIL is on steady state, due to a misfire, this will indicate the threshold for emissions was exceeded and cause the vehicle to fail an inspection and maintenance tailpipe test.

Problem car is 2000 ZTS, Zetec, 136k miles. Has new fuel filter.

Ok so I finally got a CEL after a month of the car bogging, lack of power, etc. I did not drive the car much, mainly just to test drives after I replaced the ignition coil and the fuel filter.

So now that I know the code, P0301 - Cylinder 1 misfire, where do I start looking? I have new spark plugs that I have been too lazy to put jn, but will as soon as I find my gapper. After that would the injectors be a likely cause?

[G-forces]

You're on the right track, spark, fuel; just follow the list down. Although, I don't see what any of the things after "running out of fuel" are going to do for a single cylinder misfire. You might want to check compression first though, it's cheaper.

[REVSWIN]

Picked up the motorcraft plugs, we'll see...

[REVSWIN]

Ok, put the new Motorcraft spark plugs in and it still bogs and stumbles. It idles a little smoother, and the bogging is not as bad but it is still a problem.

I had a 1/4 tank of gas, which has been in there for over a month so I filled up with new gas.

I guess I will have to check the compression and the fuel injectors next.

[hEaT]

How do the wires look coming into the coil? Any missing insulation or frays?

[REVSWIN]

They look fine to me.

[kennan J]

if that doesnt work get a new coil pack

[REVSWIN]

if that doesnt work get a new coil pack

It has a new fuel filter and ignition coil.

[REVSWIN]

The only thing I have not check was the fuel injectors, I am about ready to just bring it into the dealer to find out what it is.

[REVSWIN]

Just so people know who get this code, it was most likely the spark plug wire that was bad. Since the car had 135k on it, I ordered new spark plugs and wires from Tousley. It runs perfect now.