Very confusing problem...

[Danrc30]

My car has been sitting for about 2 months due to the engine losing oil. The first time it was losing oil, it was a clogged PCV valve. I changed it, did the plugs, cap, rotor, and O2 sensor, and all was fine. Then it started again, but I didn't have time to fix it so it sat for 2 months. Yesterday, we pulled it apart again, cleaned out the box that the PCV is mounted to, and reassembled. We didn't really find anything wrong, so it may just be a leak.

Now, all of a sudden, #2 cylinder isn't combusting. It has spark, it has fuel, but no fire. I swapped a plug and wire from another running 240, but still no combustion. Computer code says all is fine, but it's still only running on 3 cylinders. WHAT'S THE DEAL HERE??? Any ideas?

[Bwana]

Check the compression on your #2 cylinder, I'm betting it's nearly non existent. Unfortunately, it sounds to me like you have bad rings in #2. That would explain the excessive blowby (resulting in clogged pcv etc.) and also why it's misfiring now.

[Danrc30]

I thought that might be it too, but it ran perfectly before I stopped driving it. I will be doing a compression check anyway as soon as I get my hands on a tester...

[S3t0_S13]

CHAnG3 teh S1g b4 da Adm1n$ bahn jooo

[Danrc30]

CHAnG3 teh S1g b4 da Adm1n$ bahn jooo

What's wrong with it?

[S3t0_S13]

nthing, i think its bad***, but teh admins will haxx it

theres a rule now it cant be bigger then like 600 X 200

[Danrc30]

Well, I have no way of changing it since it's just linked off the club's site...

Anyway, I did a compression test, and on a weak battery I have 164psi in cylinder #2. I assume that it's fine now... right?

So, now what?

[Acecool]

Test the other cylinders aswell..

[Danrc30]

I did. The battery was dying so the numbers were going lower each time, but they were all above 125.

[S3t0_S13]

leakdown test?

[Acecool]

Have the battery charged for free at autozone..

Takes about an hour.. Then, do the leakdown on all cylinders... The numbers should be within a few numbers of eachother, if any 2 cylinders next to each other are a lot lower than the others, then you have a head gasket problem. If just that one cylinder is low, put a little motor oil in the cylinder, if that helps the numbers, then your seals are worn...

And so on :-)

[S3t0_S13]

noob questionsbut i oiled the cylinder, and got higer results,now what steps do i take after??what part do i replace? Piston rings?

how much and how hard??

[rogoman]

Now, all of a sudden, #2 cylinder isn't combusting. It has spark, it has fuel, but no fire. I swapped a plug and wire from another running 240, but still no combustion. Computer code says all is fine, but it's still only running on 3 cylinders. WHAT'S THE DEAL HERE??? Any ideas?

How did you determine that #2 isn't firing?

[Danrc30]

How did you determine that #2 isn't firing?

I know it's not firing because when the engine is running, I pull off that plug wire and no change in idle at all. When I remove any other plug, the idle goes WAY down...

[S3t0_S13]

this is exactly what i went through

at first, i thought that the fuel was getting to the cylinder, because i could smell it.NOW, try switching a fuel injector from another cylinder, and see if you can get some response from it. thats what i did, and found a clogged injector

[Danrc30]

this is exactly what i went through

at first, i thought that the fuel was getting to the cylinder, because i could smell it.NOW, try switching a fuel injector from another cylinder, and see if you can get some response from it. thats what i did, and found a clogged injector

I was thinking that myself. I have a parts car. I'll pull one off that motor and try that. Thanks.

[S3t0_S13]

if u want, try running compressed air through the injector, sometimes some gunk clog em shut. let us know what happens

[Danrc30]

if u want, try running compressed air through the injector, sometimes some gunk clog em shut. let us know what happens

the manual is useless on how to properly remove the injector. I got the plug off. Do I just take the screws out and pull the injector? What's the right way to do this?

[LayNLow240]

its harder than it looks. i tried to take one off at a junkyard and it was like superglued in. but youll need 2 flathead screwdrivers, and theres 2 slots you put them in and thats where you pry from. just be careful doing it.

[S3t0_S13]

i second that, i broke the fvcking clips on my old one taking it out, ya dont listen 2 the FSM on that 1if you can, grab a vice grip, if not, 2 flat heads, and keep twisting, carefull, ur probably gonna get launched back, and get some fuel on the floor so toss a towel under the car, so your parents dont b1tch, or is it just me?

[Danrc30]

I was twisting and turning the thing for about 30 minutes last night but it still wouldn't pop.

I see 2 holes on each side of the injector base. It's kinda square there. Is that where you put the screwdrivers in and pry up?

[rogoman]

I was twisting and turning the thing for about 30 minutes last night but it still wouldn't pop.

I see 2 holes on each side of the injector base. It's kinda square there. Is that where you put the screwdrivers in and pry up?

Yes, it would be a good spot to pry from. A little bit of prying and twisting should get it out.

Before installing an injector, make sure the ports are super clean. When installing, it would be wise to use all new O-rings; lightly coat them with motor oil. Push the injector straight in; DO NOT TWIST IT.

[Danrc30]

What's the best way to clean the ports?

I just ordered a new set of o-rings for that injector.

[rogoman]

Before removing the injector, clean around it with de-greaser, then blow it out with a compressed air gun. Once the injector is removed, clean out the groove in the intake manifold and the ports in the fuel rail with a rag wet with de-greaser.

[Danrc30]

Is carb cleaner ok to use? I'd think it'd be the best due to it's evaporative properties...

[rogoman]

Carb cleaner is a good one to use.

[Danrc30]

Ok. I finally wrestled out the injector and put in one a friend had as an extra. (THANKS MARC!) That was the problem! It's running nicely now...

Here's the funny part... we put it in using the same o-rings that were on it just so we could diagnose the problem. We were going to pull it back out and change the o-rings with the new ones I bought, but it's not leaking so we left it in. I know a lot of people may say that's not good and it may leak, but if it doesn't leak after a few days of driving, I'm pretty confident it'll be ok. They say "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"... I think this applies here. I could see myself pulling out the injector and replacing the o-rings and then only have them tear when I reinstall, or I break the injector when I remove it.

So, feel free to comment.

[S3t0_S13]

yea, i bought the new injector and forgot the O ring, but im not leaking either,

but it is better to be safe then sorry though

[Danrc30]

yea, i bought the new injector and forgot the O ring, but im not leaking either,

but it is better to be safe then sorry though

Agreed. But who's to say the new o-rings won't leak if I put them in? They could get pinched or something. If the old ones aren't leaking now, then I'm thinking I shuld just leave "well-enough" alone...

[S3t0_S13]

i guess, i dnno, its hard 2 mess up really, just kinda pull em apart and slide em on really