misfire HELP

[phxpoly10]

When I start the car the sound is very weak. At first it feels like the car wants to die then that ends, then as i press the gas the sound of my engine is different. Its sounds like its choking on something, more like the muffler is puffing air. Its not a contentious muffler sound. The engine feels very week. What can this be? There's no engine light. What things should I check? could it be a spark plug or sensor?

[Matt at Dunlop]

It started right after i hose down the radiator because coolant got all over my engine after I did a flush.

Yikes! :embarrasm

How careful were you not to get water into other areas of the engine bay?? If you sprayed water all over the engine, electrical problems could be causing your misfire.

Since your car is pre-'95 (OBD-I), try searching for the "stomp test" and see what diagnostic codes you can read out. That should help you diagnose which cylinder(s) is not firing.

Matt

[phxpoly10]

i have try to do the "stomp test" in the past. However, it does not work for my car. what can i do?

[phxpoly10]

bump

[Matt at Dunlop]

If the car is OBD-II, then go to AutoZone and ask them to read out the error codes.

Matt

[phxpoly10]

the car is an OBD-1. The sound of the muffler is very weak. The muffler sound like its puffing out air. Then with out accelerating on the gas, the rpm's hand moves a tiny bit.

[phxpoly10]

Guys i need some advice please:(

[EWolthers]

this sounds pretty shitty man, but make sure all hoses around the intake/intake manifold are on tight, make sure your sparkplugs are in great shape with no oil or deposits, after that check the condition of your O2 sensors, if you've never had em off, or they look like shit, replace them, when you've done all that and its still giving you trouble take it to the dealer. But rest assured there's an excellent chance its something above based on the information ive read.

[phxpoly10]

thank you im going to do that

[Pswirley]

this sounds pretty shitty man, but make sure all hoses around the intake/intake manifold are on tight, make sure your sparkplugs are in great shape with no oil or deposits, after that check the condition of your O2 sensors, if you've never had em off, or they look like shit, replace them, when you've done all that and its still giving you trouble take it to the dealer. But rest assured there's an excellent chance its something above based on the information ive read.


I agree with E, make sure you start with the easiest first. I was having this exact same problem and it was a vaccuum leak. If you reach under your intake manifold through the arch there is a hose about halfway that goes in and has a plastic clip that can break off and create the exact problem you are describing. Check that hose and make sure its in and clipped (fixed my problem with a rubber gasket to hold hose in place). I have never had this problem since and my car has never run any better.

[Resqdvr2]

Check the hose (boot) between the MAF and the throttle body for cracks, especially where the hoses connect to the bottom of it. Next, unplug each coil while the car is idling, listen for change or no change in idle. If you unplug a coil and no change, then that coil is probably bad. Next item....ICV (under intake manifold) may be dirty and sticking. Take it out and clean it with intake cleaner until it opens and closes while gently rocking it in your hand. The "stomp" procedure should work on your car. I have the same car. Make sure you don't "stomp" too fast.

[phxpoly10]

Thanks everyone for the help!

Last night when I got home I looked under intake manifold. I found a small hose that connects from the engine to the inside of the intake cut in half. I replace that hose and took out the ICV to clean it. It was really dirty. It took me about 4 hours. Oh boy that was a pain the butt to remove it and reinstall it, small space. I finish around 10:30pm so i could not see well.

Therefore, this morning before work I went to start the car to see how it felt. Much better, no rattle, continuous sound coming from the exhaust, however, white smoke was coming from the exhaust with moister in the exhaust. The engine still sounded a little different. Then after a half hour I went back to start the car, but this time there was no smoke coming from the exhaust.

This is normal? Any suggestion?