Hell of a headache

[MspJohn]

Ok, i have been havin a problem for some time with my msp. 2 cel codes, lean bank 1 and misfire cylinder 1. On cold start it dies a couple times before staying running and puffs a cloud of whiteish gray smoke. Smells rich, runs ok until it reaches operating temp then it misses hesitates and sputters on take off and wot. Change the plugs atleast once every two weeks if not 2. When i take them out theyre a bit whiteish on the tip and black carbon around the electrode and threads. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Checked for vacuum leaks and cannot find anything, cleaned egr and iac

 

[hornsfan10609]

New coil pack and wires? Do you gap the plugs properly when you install them? Throwing away money on new plugs every 2 weeks is not helping anything

 

[MspJohn]

I was running the plugs at 28-32 then yesterday i put in irridiums that are 44 and it seems to run smoother. Coil packs and wires were changed about a year ago

 

[hornsfan10609]

Definitely need to run the smaller gap plugs. Any CELs aside from the misfire? It sounds like a very simple fix, most likely a failing coil pack.

 

[MspJohn]

How would i test them? Can you do it with a test light?

 

[MspJohn]

And what is the VICS screw? Heard it had similar symptoms

 

[MspJohn]

Also has a p0106 code for map sensor now

 

[hornsfan10609]

MSPs were not under the VICS screw recall/TSB and have a completely different intake manifold than the regular Proteges despite having the same VTCS and VICS flaps. You can test the coils with a multimeter but most people just swap them side to side to check if the misfire code changes to a different cylinder. The MAP sensor is an important one for the car to run properly, you may have a vac line leaking to it, the sensor may be failing or the EGR may still be dirty.