new Misfire cel.

[Banshee]

Just when I thought I had under control, and wasn't planning to tinker anymore.

Well, I first got my misfire MIL yesterday after a hard acceleration run. I didn't notice it during the run, but when I pulled slowly into the parking lot right afterwards, it idled roughly and had a flashing MIL. Pulled the code and it was a p0302. The light went away by itself after a few restarts and drives. But sometimes during a slow drive, pulling out in first, the car would stumble. No additional lights, but when I hooked up a obd2 reader, I got a p0304. I noticed over the past week or two that sometimes it would be difficult to start. Sometimes it would be difficult to "catch", although the engine sounded fine cranking. Other times the engine didn't sound very strong while cranking, but not slow like a weak battery.

I can reproduce the starting problem if I turn the key to on, then off several times before I crank it.

Any suggestions?
__________________

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

Check the vacuum hose from the intake manifold to the JRPC and SS. Sounds like you are getting either insufficient fuel (most likely) or too much fuel. Either that or a defective JRPC. Only had one of those so far and it was dead on start. Yours has been running awhile so I doubt it. If there is a restriction in that vacuum tube (like a kink), the JRPC will see tha change but will not have the response time it needs because the change in vacuum/boost will be delayed by the kink.

Just a thought.

[Banshee]

If I had a kink, it wouldn't affect my off boost drivability right?

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

I wouldn't think so? One never knows. If it is pushing a lot of fuel and then is slow to react to the change from boost back to vacuum, lots of things could happen.

If you disconnect the JRFPC, does it run well?

[99mx5]

Banshee, arent you using the ELF?

[Banshee]

yup, running an ELF.

Here's a picture of my sparkplugs. I think the substance on the threads is antiseize and not oil. It was cyclinder 2 and 4 that were misfiring.


http://upload4.postimage.org/534548/sparkplug1.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/534548/photo_hosting.html)

[Banshee]

can I soak these in alcohol to clean the plugs before reinstalling them?

[99mx5]

I usually use gas to clean my plugs ;)
I think gasoline is more of a solvent than alcohol.

[Banshee]

Tom,

Can I buy a few (4) of your V-power 6 heat range plugs? I can't find them locally with the right gap. I think that the 8 heat range may be too cold for my power level and set up. I'll try to tune with the regular plugs then switch over iridiums once everything is right.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

You can have all the BKR6E plugs you need for the cost of shipping. I must have 20 boxes left (I buy most everything in 25s for the economy of scale, doncha know :)) and will never use them.

Should I send along a JRPC for you to try? Do you have the PNP module?

[Banshee]

Just the spark plugs for now. Just tell me how much for the shipping and I'll paypal you. I think the elf is working fine last I checked on the dyno. My theory is that I've fouled up the plug and that overwhelmed the ign system causing the misfire. Perhaps I'm not in boost enough for the 8 range plug.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

You have to start driving harder. :)

I'm
sure i have it but please email where you want them sent.

[Banshee]

Dang it. After cleaning up the plugs and putting them back in, I don't get the misfire cel anymore (Not yet), But now I get a p0401? What in the world is going on?

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

Maybe you are running so rich that you fouled the plug and sent a lot of soot over to the EGR tubr?

[Mathrips]

A shot in the dark but is it possible this is a coilpack problem?

[Banshee]

I have a 2001, they're not know for coil pack problems, but anything is possible. But since the misfire happen on number 2 and 4, I'm hoping that both coilpack didn't go out at the same time.

[Banshee]

I have a 2001, they're not know for coil pack problems, but anything is possible. But since the misfire happen on number 2 and 4, I'm hoping that both coilpack didn't go out at the same time.

My current hypothesis is that since I've add the water injection, the combustion temperature is a little too cold for the 8 range iridium plugs.

[Mathrips]

My mistake. I forgot which plugs were paired in the coilpack. The cold plug theory sounds good though. Especially as it is cheap.
Let us know.