Epic Sparkplug Fail - Page 2

oab_au · #16 05-14-2008, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manarius

So now, my car stumbles even worse then it did before. New Iridium plugs that stumble. Great....

Jason when does it stumble? Idle, under load, accelerating?

A lot of this sort of problem, stems from the rubber boot on the coil that covers the plug. This can develop carbon tracts that will short the spark out, down the side of the plug.

If there is a track, it can be scratched out, and sealed with a silicon spray. Better is to replace them with some off a set of 'after market' plug leads.

Harvey.

Manarius · #17 05-14-2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oab_au

Jason when does it stumble? Idle, under load, accelerating?

A lot of this sort of problem, stems from the rubber boot on the coil that covers the plug. This can develop carbon tracts that will short the spark out, down the side of the plug.

If there is a track, it can be scratched out, and sealed with a silicon spray. Better is to replace them with some off a set of 'after market' plug leads.

Harvey.

It stumbles all the time now. It always searches for idle and stumbles when it's cold. When it's warm, it only stumbles at low RPM's (sub 2500RPM).

Nevin · #18 05-14-2008, 05:05 PM

There's an access hole on the driver's side? Nice...

I just did my plugs on saturday. I thought they'd be a lot worse, actually. They took maybe an hour total for all 6. I did a bit of loafing around though.

I'm definitely a fan of the NGK Iridium. Idle is just rock solid now.

Also, I'm with Harvey. It's either a crack in one of the coil thingers or just a bad coil itself. Best way to check is just go around one at a time and disconnect the coils as the car is running. When you unplug one and the idle doesn't change, that's the cylinder that's not firing right. Then just take the coil out and inspect it for cracks or damage.

immortal_suby · #19 05-14-2008, 06:51 PM

did you drop any of the plugs by mistake? maybe you have one with a closed gap. (been there)

In any event I'd recommend pulling the fuel injector wires one at a time to check for the misfire, rather than the coil wires.

Manarius · #20 05-14-2008, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by immortal_suby

did you drop any of the plugs by mistake? maybe you have one with a closed gap. (been there)

In any event I'd recommend pulling the fuel injector wires one at a time to check for the misfire, rather than the coil wires.

That's definitely easier.

Here's my problem. When the car is warm enough to run the rad fans, it doesn't idle search and it doesn't stumble or hesitate. I did several strong pulls and it didn't miss a beat. I have yet to get a bone cold test since I reset the ECU and did a relearning sequence (the same one I did to my Legacy). I'm going to take the camera out tomorrow to video tape this stumbling nonsense if it happens again tomorrow morning.

Hondasucks · #21 05-14-2008, 10:39 PM

Couple of tips on spark plugs:

1) for the plugs that you can barely get a ratchet into, use a regular ratchet to break them free, and then spin them out with one of those finger ratchets (Or an air ratchet if you have air)

2) If your cam cover gaskets are leaking, and you are doing plugs at the same time, the plugs are a LOT easier with the cam covers removed since you have an extra 1/2" to 1" of clearance.

3) When installing the new plugs, spray the threads with silicone spray, they will thread in easier. Also spray the inside of the coil, where it attaches to the spark plug, the coil will go on easier, plus it'll come back off easier next time.

Manarius · #22 05-15-2008, 02:52 PM

Meh, the car's still acting up. It's weird because when the car is at its warmest, it doesn't stumble that much. However, from cold it stumbles enough to shake the car. It reminds of when my MAF was bad.

TomsSVX · #23 05-15-2008, 02:58 PM

sparkplug boots... They may look fine but they will still leak. Either get a new set of boots or use some dielectric grease to seal them up... More than likely the root of your problem since tampering with the seals by installing new plugs seems to have made it worse

Tom

Manarius · #24 05-15-2008, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomsSVX

sparkplug boots... They may look fine but they will still leak. Either get a new set of boots or use some dielectric grease to seal them up... More than likely the root of your problem since tampering with the seals by installing new plugs seems to have made it worse

Tom

Damn, and I thought I could get away without having to take those out again. So, what should I do with the boots once they're out? Just cover the outside rubber part in dielectric grease or in the inside part that goes around the plug itself?

TomsSVX · #25 05-15-2008, 03:50 PM

Best to seal the boot to the coil itself and then spread some on the inside of the tip that seals to the plug... You can get little packets of the stuff at most auto parts stores for a couple bucks

Tom

Hocrest · #26 05-15-2008, 03:52 PM

Someone posted about boots off of a set of off the shelf cables will fit onto our coils???

Sometime in the last year? Not sure who posted it though???

oab_au · #27 05-15-2008, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oab_au

A lot of this sort of problem, stems from the rubber boot on the coil that covers the plug. This can develop carbon tracts that will short the spark out, down the side of the plug.

If there is a track, it can be scratched out, and sealed with a silicon spray. Better is to replace them with some off a set of 'after market' plug leads.

Harvey.

Only took 10 posts to get back to what I said here.

Harvey.

TomsSVX · #28 05-15-2008, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oab_au

Only took 10 posts to get back to what I said here.

Harvey.

I saw many post it so I left it... but revived it when it seemed overlooked.. This should have been the first thing taken care of

Tom

Manarius · #29 05-15-2008, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomsSVX

I saw many post it so I left it... but revived it when it seemed overlooked.. This should have been the first thing taken care of

Tom

Well, I picked up grease and now have to wait until my car is cold. Unfortunately, it'll be a day or two until I get to that position. I really don't want to take the battery out again...

I'll take pictures as I do the process so maybe we can put up a how-to. The boots looked fine when I pulled them but I guess they aren't. If this doesn't fix it though....

TomsSVX · #30 05-16-2008, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manarius

Well, I picked up grease and now have to wait until my car is cold. Unfortunately, it'll be a day or two until I get to that position. I really don't want to take the battery out again...

I'll take pictures as I do the process so maybe we can put up a how-to. The boots looked fine when I pulled them but I guess they aren't. If this doesn't fix it though....

To be honest you *should* grease the plugs any time you take the coil off them...

Tom