Have you changed the spark plugs?? I always recommend the 'normal' maintenance items first. At the same time inspect the plug wires etc. Check the gap on the new plugs. It's very normal for one cylinder to mis-fire even though all the plugs are the same age. I would change the fuel filter and then add SEAFOAM to the next tank of gas.
P304 is very random - trim questions
- Thread starter urdrwho
- Start date
- Status
Yes - new NGK Platinum and wires that I purchased from the dealer.
New fuel filter, etc.
No I haven't used the Seafoam yet but I have some one the shelf.
Originally Posted By: partspro
Have you changed the spark plugs?? I always recommend the 'normal' maintenance items first. At the same time inspect the plug wires etc. Check the gap on the new plugs. It's very normal for one cylinder to mis-fire even though all the plugs are the same age. I would change the fuel filter and then add SEAFOAM to the next tank of gas.
New fuel filter, etc.
No I haven't used the Seafoam yet but I have some one the shelf.
Originally Posted By: partspro
Have you changed the spark plugs?? I always recommend the 'normal' maintenance items first. At the same time inspect the plug wires etc. Check the gap on the new plugs. It's very normal for one cylinder to mis-fire even though all the plugs are the same age. I would change the fuel filter and then add SEAFOAM to the next tank of gas.
As the name suggests, Seafoam was created for water/moisture related problems effecting boat engines in the 1930's. 50% Pale oil (lube), 30% Naphtha (mild solvent), 20% IPA (fuel stabilizer). Over the years its been marketed and used for many other purposes. To debug a potential fouling/misfire issue on a modern engine running E10 unleaded, recommend a modern fuel system cleaner containing the powerful cleaning additive PEA (polyetheramine). Very few fuel system cleaners contain PEA. 2 readily available at walmart are Techron Concentrate Plus and Gumout All-in-one. You've stated "techron" for one tank. There are 2 techron products with varying strength. If it was techron conentrate plus, you've already tried the one of the best available fuel system cleaners. Maybe another shot, this time with gumout all-in-one. While Seafoam won't hurt, not sure how much it will help being mostly Pale oil. The 20% IPA (Isopropyl alcohol) may boost octane levels so it could run better till the tank of gas is gone and you refill.
It was Tecron concentrate plus. Maybe I'll try some gumout.
Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
You've stated "techron" for one tank. There are 2 techron products with varying strength. If it was techron conentrate plus, you've already tried the one of the best available fuel system cleaners. Maybe another shot, this time with gumout all-in-one. While Seafoam won't hurt, not sure how much it will help being mostly Pale oil. The 20% IPA (Isopropyl alcohol) may boost octane levels so it could run better till the tank of gas is gone and you refill.
Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
You've stated "techron" for one tank. There are 2 techron products with varying strength. If it was techron conentrate plus, you've already tried the one of the best available fuel system cleaners. Maybe another shot, this time with gumout all-in-one. While Seafoam won't hurt, not sure how much it will help being mostly Pale oil. The 20% IPA (Isopropyl alcohol) may boost octane levels so it could run better till the tank of gas is gone and you refill.
according to the Seafoam rep, Seafoam was created for the Army in WW2 because the Army wanted an all in one everything that would do everything, Seafoam was created and it worked for everything, as well as a penetrating lube.
Originally Posted By: partspro
Have you changed the spark plugs?? I always recommend the 'normal' maintenance items first. At the same time inspect the plug wires etc. Check the gap on the new plugs. It's very normal for one cylinder to mis-fire even though all the plugs are the same age. I would change the fuel filter and then add SEAFOAM to the next tank of gas.
I disagree with the seafoam idea. Total waste. Don't get me wrong. I'm a big seafoam fan however I don't believe it does anything when added to fuel. The concentration is too weak to be effective.
Now sucked in to a vacuum line I think it's really tough to beat for cleaning the top end of an engine,and I use it often for this purpose,but in the fuel unless you add a gallon it just isn't strong enough to be effective. Acetone and tc-w3 is more effective in the fuel.
Have you changed the spark plugs?? I always recommend the 'normal' maintenance items first. At the same time inspect the plug wires etc. Check the gap on the new plugs. It's very normal for one cylinder to mis-fire even though all the plugs are the same age. I would change the fuel filter and then add SEAFOAM to the next tank of gas.
I disagree with the seafoam idea. Total waste. Don't get me wrong. I'm a big seafoam fan however I don't believe it does anything when added to fuel. The concentration is too weak to be effective.
Now sucked in to a vacuum line I think it's really tough to beat for cleaning the top end of an engine,and I use it often for this purpose,but in the fuel unless you add a gallon it just isn't strong enough to be effective. Acetone and tc-w3 is more effective in the fuel.
i had a '97.
A stretched timing belt can cause misfire codes on this engine. the interval is 60k, so you could be there already. the idle will be just a touch off and you'll get occassional misfire codes.
valves can also do this.
I suggest a compression test to check for cylinder consistency. it's easy and will give you an immediate indication if something is off with hard parts.
then inspection of valve gap. These engines don't usually require upkeep with the valves, but it IS a possibility.
and look into a TB/water.P change. if you do the belt and pump, do the front main seal while you are at it. go ahead and pull the oil pump (right behind the TB gear) and tighten the screws on its backside- they are known to loosen). Since there are no motor mounts to deal with, this is an easy car to do a TB job on. Pull both radiator fans and you have gobs of room to work with. The tensioner locks by sticking a small *hardened* screwdriver through the plunger. It takes a little creativity to compress it.
A stretched timing belt can cause misfire codes on this engine. the interval is 60k, so you could be there already. the idle will be just a touch off and you'll get occassional misfire codes.
valves can also do this.
I suggest a compression test to check for cylinder consistency. it's easy and will give you an immediate indication if something is off with hard parts.
then inspection of valve gap. These engines don't usually require upkeep with the valves, but it IS a possibility.
and look into a TB/water.P change. if you do the belt and pump, do the front main seal while you are at it. go ahead and pull the oil pump (right behind the TB gear) and tighten the screws on its backside- they are known to loosen). Since there are no motor mounts to deal with, this is an easy car to do a TB job on. Pull both radiator fans and you have gobs of room to work with. The tensioner locks by sticking a small *hardened* screwdriver through the plunger. It takes a little creativity to compress it.
- Status
