*UPDATE*Runs rough and other stuff...

[iliketocrash]

Well the engine idles fairly consistantly but it really runs like crap untill its warmed up. The idle is a bit rough and it causes the engine to shake a little and you can feel it in the car. Its got new plugs and new oil. Its also making a rather weird and kind of loud ticking sound from somewhere near the turbo area. It speeds up with revs and it sounds rhythmic so i'm guessing its something mechanical. I don't hear the noise from the passenger side of the engine and its faint in the front but when i put my ear near the turbo, that's where it seems like its coming from. Its all a little hard to tell though because all i have for an exhaust is downpipe. Anyone have any ideas? I'm lost.

*update* well its dark out now and i started my car up again to look over it some more and in the dark i noticed a bunch if tiny little blue sparks poppin up around my coil packs... what's going on? the only thing that i can think is it has something to do with the fact that they aren't bolted down because i never got any screws for the coil packs when the engine was shipped over. And on that note, where can i get replacements? does the USDM ca18et have the same coil packs or at least are they bolted down with the same bolts?

[rico05]

The cold idle on these things SUCKS (trust me). I am battling this issue as well. I am thinking that for me it may be the FPR. Have you cleaned your AAC and MAF? How is your PCV?

[iliketocrash]

maf is fine how do i check/clean my AAC and PCV?

[iliketocrash]

no one can help me out with anything else?

[rico05]

You pull the AAC assembly off and clean it with carb cleaner. Just spray the guts out. Mine was NASTY.

I bet your coilpacks are the issue. They need to be bolted down to get a clean spark. The part that connects to the plug is actually an element on the end of a spring that holds tension against the top of the plug. Since yours are just flopping around, the connection is not good.

[iliketocrash]

thank you so much

[rico05]

I bet I could send you one of each length (there are 2 different lengths) of the coil pack screws so you can get new ones at the parts store if you can't find em. I would need them back tho, but I could run minus a couple screws for a week or two. Lemmie know man.

[iliketocrash]

two different lengths? woops. i didn't realize that there was a metal plate between the head and the coils so i took it up to the hardware store to find some screws that would fit. i screwed my coils down and the screws seem to work fine. i didn't have to muscle 'em in so i don't think any of them were too long but they do hold in nice and secure so i don't think they're too short. i hope its ok like this.

[rico05]

It run better?

[iliketocrash]

it seems to idle better. i haven't taken it for a drive yet cause i still don't have power steering or brakes. i did it that one time and that was enough for me 'till i get it all fixed.