Random Misfire Detected

[MomoP5]

So I've recently started my car and had issues. The cool part is it sounded like a wrx, the not so cool part is that obviously it's not supposed to sound like that. When I started it up it was very rough and "gurgling" if you want to put it that way. The rpm's were up and down until the needle finally went back down to zero and my car shut off, causing me to restart again. To actually get it going I had to give it a little gas until it started running the way it usually does. My check engine light came on and when I checked it it gave me a code saying I had a random misfire detected. The internet gave me a few options of possible spark plugs, or spark plug wires, cat, sensors, etc. I'm kind of scared because it's never done this and although my car runs, I'm wondering for how long it will continue. Also I've been losing coolant and I can't find a leak anywhere. I've thought about possibly my head gasket being bad or even my thermostat, even though I've already replaced my thermostat about 5 months ago. If anyone has any insight at all or this has happened to you I could use what ever help I can get. Thanks!

 

[CheeseHelmet]

Your coilpacks are the problem. You should replace them as soon as possible because if you keep letting it misfire you'll end up with a fried pre-cat which is significantly more expensive to replace.

 

[MomoP5]

is that easy to fix and cheap? Not that it matters because i obviously need a car, but i'm not exactly rich lol

 

[CheeseHelmet]

is that easy to fix and cheap? Not that it matters because i obviously need a car, but i'm not exactly rich lol

Autozone has coilpacks for $25-$30 each (you need 2).

They're very easy to replace (they're the 2 black things with wires right on top of the engine):

1. Unplug the connector on the left side of the coilpack
2. Undo the 2 10mm bolts holding the coilpack down
3. Remove the coilpack by pulling up
4. Swap the wires from the old coilpack to the new ones (I'd recommend buying new wires instead)
5. Install new coilpack in reverse order of removal

 

[flash75]

You should not be losing coolant, you need to find where it's going. If it
is leaking into the cylinders that is probably causing your problem. Start
by removing the plugs and check them for abnormal firing conditions.

Clifton

 

[Jonnyb]

Your coilpacks are the problem. You should replace them as soon as possible because if you keep letting it misfire you'll end up with a fried pre-cat which is significantly more expensive to replace.

I have had first hand experince with this , do not let that misfire goto long, I did now I have no cat. Funny thing is i took it to mazda and they replaced my EGR ignoring the fact that i had it changed less then 8 moths prior 500 bux (cdn) and about 12 hours later i get the flickering CEL and boom, bye bye cat. I havent even looked into how much it will cost. I have been reading on these forums ( im pretty new here) about putting on a header and that gets rid of the pre-cat? wondering if i can do that here in canada and still pass Etests.

 

[noegrut]

Ive heard of people in canada having no problems passing emissions without the first cat