rough idle
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
From: Overpriced NJ
rough idle
Well I replaced the plugs which helped but didn't fix the situation. I was figuring on the wires next. Is that a tough job? If that doesn't fix it what should my next move be? How about upgrading to an MSD ignition system. Does that give you any performance gains?
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: TX
Re: rough idle (Kdrhpe)
What year is your car? It could be a bad ignition system. It could also be bad O2 sensors. My Opti went and fouled my O2 sensors, causing the rough idle. What did your old plugs look like when you changed them? Is your car throwing any codes? The car can have trouble codes that do not cause the SES light to come on.
Your car should run right with all factory parts (or replacement) unless you have a heavily modifed engine. I would try and find the problem with what you have before buying something like an MSD box.
Your car should run right with all factory parts (or replacement) unless you have a heavily modifed engine. I would try and find the problem with what you have before buying something like an MSD box.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
From: Overpriced NJ
Re: rough idle (kkonen)
What year is your car? It could be a bad ignition system. It could also be bad O2 sensors. My Opti went and fouled my O2 sensors, causing the rough idle. What did your old plugs look like when you changed them? Is your car throwing any codes? The car can have trouble codes that do not cause the SES light to come on.
Your car should run right with all factory parts (or replacement) unless you have a heavily modifed engine. I would try and find the problem with what you have before buying something like an MSD box.
Your car should run right with all factory parts (or replacement) unless you have a heavily modifed engine. I would try and find the problem with what you have before buying something like an MSD box.
Getting the MSD box isn't to cure the problem, I was just wondering what advantages it gives you. Does it give you anything for a stock set up or is it primarily for heavily modified engines?
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Marysville, WA
Re: rough idle (Kdrhpe)
An MSD box will work for stock and modified engines. However, you have something else malfunctioning in your car. Getting a scanner would be a big help so you done not throw parts at the car which you do not need. Rough idle can be many things.
Racer
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: TX
Re: rough idle (Kdrhpe)
A bad ignition system tends to show itself with a rough idle and hesitation on acceleration. When my opti went, it backfired on acceleration.
I am not an expert on reading spark plugs. I think that white residue is coolant. Coolant on a spark plug probably means a bad head gasket. Hopefully someone else will answer this, but I think you need a compression and leakdown test. Do you ever get white smoke out the tailpipes?
I am not an expert on reading spark plugs. I think that white residue is coolant. Coolant on a spark plug probably means a bad head gasket. Hopefully someone else will answer this, but I think you need a compression and leakdown test. Do you ever get white smoke out the tailpipes?
