Check Engine Light Car Wash

[wallabe]

The setup for quick reference:
1) At a bay car wash
2) Engine was shut off
3) Sprayed front fender for bugs and road grim
4) Cranked car up and drove 1/4 mile when CEL came on
5) Code P0300
6) Did the reset ECU trick
7) CEL and Code came back today
8) Already replaced spark plugs on Friday, 380 miles ago.


Ohh k, I replaced the spark plugs friday at 37,000 miles. Drove the car out of town and it drove fine. Shifted smooth and didn't have any trouble. So yesterday I wake up at 6:45 to go wash my car. I sprayed the front heavy to get the bugs and other crap from the run off. I only sprayed the fender or headlights.

I get in my car and start driving home when my check engine light comes on. The car is fine just the light. I go to Autozone to get them to pull that code and its a P0300 cylinder misfire or three other problems. So I clear the code and the kind of levels out and drives fine.

So today it comes back while I'm on the E-Way heading to work and the engine stumbles a little. Go to Autozone again and the same code.

Can someone please help me. I will try to take photos of the motor and see if there is any cracks in the exhaust manifold or if a vacuum hose came loose.

 

[CheeseHelmet]

If it's stumbling while driving I'd put my money on the coilpacks being bad. The fact that the problem presented itself after you washed it makes it seem even more like an electrical issue.

If they're the original coils, I'd recommend changing them. If you keep driving around with it misfiring you'll melt the primary catalytic converter.

 

[wildcard26]

Had an issue like that and had to pull down my CP's and blew them out with the compressor for moisture asn well as the plugs and chambers. Mounted back up and all was peachy.

 

[CheeseHelmet]

If getting a little water on them is causing them to fail, they need to be replaced. Two coilpacks are a lot cheaper than a new catalytic converter.

 

[wallabe]

Thats what I was thinking along with some one else. So I wouldn't have to replace the EGR would I?

 

[CheeseHelmet]

Thats what I was thinking along with some one else. So I wouldn't have to replace the EGR would I?

How poorly does it idle? If it almost stalls while idling you may need a new EGR valve too. But I'd try cleaning the EGR valve before buying a new one just to make sure.

 

[wallabe]

It doesn't show any signs of idling rough. I notice that the throttle is different. Were as you can place it in 1st gear and press the accelerator pedal and have a smooth take off. Now its like the throttle has a quick cut off. The car jerks in 1st, 2nd, even 3rd. The Revs use to go down fast but smooth, now its like a quick drop or cut off. I had the car sitting but running for 10 mintues and didn't notice a and loud, rough, idiling. It only sort of bogs at 30mph++.

 

[CheeseHelmet]

So your EGR is probably ok. Now get those coils changed!


While you're at it, check the rubber air intake tube that goes between the MAF and the throttle body (you can't miss it, it's got an accordion section in the middle). Remove the tube and inspect it all around for cracks, if there are cracks replace the tube as well (you can duct tape the holes in the mean time). I doubt this would be related to the problem you're having now, but if it's never been changed it's probably dried out and cracked by now.

 

[wallabe]

I inspected the car and the motor sounds just fine. I need to get somewhere where I can record the sound if you guys want to hear it. I checked and for $250 I can replace the coil and cords from NAPA. I found some ebay for $34 a piece

 

[CheeseHelmet]

Rockauto has all that stuff for reasonable prices. You can get everything (coilpacks and wires) for a little under $100, they also sell OEM coilpacks under the "Standard Motor Products" name (they're made in Japan instead of China).

People also seem to be happy with duralast coilpacks from Autozone, they're also pretty affordable.

 

[wallabe]

Update: I checked the wires and ends before I left to go home. Pulling each one and looking to see any marks or damage. Placed everything back together and cranked the car up. CEL went away. Got the speed up to 70MPH and still no light. Been light free since 7pm last night.

I will still however get the new Coils and wires.

Hey, CheeseHelmet, does Rockauto have a website?

 

[CheeseHelmet]

Yes, http://rockauto.com

 

[Mik660]

make sure get the "Standard coils" - i got the cheap ones from rockauto and they s*** the bed in under 1K - now they say they are guaranteed for 12 months or something like that - but a lot of good that will do you when they go and your some distance from home etc (and toast you CC getting it home)