P0304 - cylinders dying one by one.

[alexwasserman]

First I had a P0301 - the coil pack was smelling of burnt rubber. I replaced it, and all was good for a couple of hundred miles.

Then, I had a P0302. Coil seemed fine - but I replaced it anyway. That was yesterday.

No more than 1 mile after replacing it I get a P0304, and the engine is still shuddering a lot, just like with 2 and 1.

4 is a real pain to change.

At around 120K I changed all the plugs, not sure if the coils have ever been changed.

What are the chances I just need to change the remaining coils, or if there is a worse underlying issue here?

I don't want to replace every coil to discover there is still something wrong.

What else could it be that I can test easily?

 

[rburch]

When you replaced the other coils were any of them wet?

 

[alexwasserman]

No, not that I recall. The one I did this morning came off looking just fine, actually.

The one before it was pretty burned up, but I know some of the plugs were loose before they were replaced. One side of the engine was overnight, the other side was over loose.

Now they're all in snug, and new.

Should have replaced the coils really, but was half way through the plugs when I thought about it.

 

[rburch]

Just asking because all the plugs that are going bad are all on the passenger side and there tends to be a heater hose leak on that side!

 

[alexwasserman]

Yes, I've seen reports of a dripping heater hose on that side. It was also that side that was very loose before.

I'll have to have a feel around for the hose and see if it's at all damp.

What's the best way of checking?

Also, if I'm replacing all 8 coils, which I might end up doing, there are cheap coils on ebay ($100 or less for all 8) compared to $50 per coil at Autozone, etc. Is it worth getting the cheaper ones? QUite substantial savings...

 

[rburch]

I dont have any experience woth the COP since i have a 97 but Walnuts recommends some from ebay so PM him.

 

[alexwasserman]

Thanks, will do.

 

[ZombieSoldier]

The cheap ones are hit or miss. Some have luck some don't. I bought the $100 special for all 8. 3 of them lasted only 800 miles

 

[Jason_CPAPS]

Which coils did you end up going with. I thought about getting the ones on ebay but I'm afraid for the price. They say lifetime warranty but not sure how easy the will be to get a replacement.


Rburch my 97 has CoP so what some do and some don't?

 

[ZombieSoldier]

Ones I bought from a website. Don't remember the web address though

 

[Expeditionary]

I dont have any experience woth the COP since i have a 97 but Walnuts recommends some from ebay so PM him.

what does having a 97 have to do with COPs lol?

 

[paul_smith_347]

Summit racing has several different options availiable from their brand to MSD and ACCEL. I think you can get a full Accel set for around 230??? if I recall correctly

 

[alexwasserman]

I just bought an Accel from the local Napa. Seems to be running fine.

Changing out #4 wasn't as bad as I thought it would be either.