Looks like I have a dead miss, ideas?

[Goldmember]

Went out before to take a ride, started it, and it felt like it had cams in it the way it was shaking... Figured, it might have a miss, take it out and see if I pop a CEL, then I know which coil took a shit.

Sure enough, it felt down on power, and hesitating. I pulled off in a parking lot about a mile from my house and the car's idle was back to normal. Back out on the road, still just fine.

Eventually the hesitation came back and the car sounded like it does when the T/C kicks in (backs the timing out). Romped on it a little to try to force a CEL and got one. At lower RPM with heavy throttle the hesitation was there and it felt like it was bucking a little. Tomorrow morning I'll get the codes read (Auto Zone and Advance were closed by the time I got back). Sound like a miss to you guys or is my thinking off?

 

[ttocs]

start simple and knock out the easy stuff by giving a tug on your plug wire to ensure they are still connected and good. 3 weeks ago I noticed mine was running rough and that there were 2 plug wires that were not on all the way and didn't really want to clip on. Replaced all the wires, found 2 others that were worn and now its running beautifull...

 

[Goldmember]

No plug wires, it's coil-on-plug...

 

[Locomoco]

If you have a really good scan tool you can go in mode six and watch your miss fire counter and see your short term and long term fuel trim that's a good way to start.

 

[Goldmember]

^^Unfortunately, I don't have a scanner of any kind. That's why I'll need to take it to Auto Zone and get it read, problem is that their scanners don't tell you much either. I'm fine with it being a bad coil, they take a crap all the time, hope it's not something more serious.

 

[MustangChris]

COPs can fail, its defiantly not out of the question.

Check your COPs and make sure they didnt wiggle loose, maybe pull a few plugs (if not all of them, depends on how many beers are in the fridge.) Let us know what Auto Zone says.

 

[Goldmember]

Verdict, PO302- misfire cylinder 2 and misfire under 1000 RPM (even at idle). Looks like I'll need a new coil. All of the plugs were replaced not long before I bought it with Autolite double-plats so I am ruling them out. I'll check the obvious (wiring pigtail and bolt) but at this age/mileage is when COPs are likely to start giving you trouble.

 

[MustangChris]

yup. at least its an easy fix.

id pull the plug just in case, since the COP will be off anyways.

 

[Goldmember]

It's been some time, #2 is on passenger-side bank?

I'll check the plug, just hate to pull them more than necessary on these mod motors seeing as they like to puke 'em back up. Then again 04 = 8 plug threads in head = a little more insurance

 

[MustangChris]

I hear that man. Id just pull it since its blaitantly giving you issues. leave the rest.

dont over TQ the plug, use a TQ wrench, use anti-seize.

I want to say #2 is the second one from the front on passenger side, but im not 100% either. lol.

 

[jo4roush99]

http://autorepair.about.com/library/firing_orders/bl-fo-0152.htm

 

[Goldmember]

That's exactly what I needed. Perfect.

Going to tear into it tonight, my dad had a few spare COP's so he gave a couple to me. Free COP FTW!

 

[Goldmember]

It was the COP

Checked everything else, even the plug, all good. Swapped everything out then pulled the boot off of the old coil, there was moisture behind the boot. As in, I shook the coil and drops of water came out. Something tells me that shouldn't have happened. Car is back to its smooth-running, anemic 2V self.