Attention: TDR Forum Junkies Hello Guys - Here's the diagnosis by the real mechanics. The mechanic/owner says that the spark plug wires are so old/used that the #1 and #3 are arcing from the insulator to the head versus to the spark splug. Understand this motor - Its a twin cam 16 valve, so the spark plugs are in between the 2 exhaust valves and 2 intake valves (I guess this is similar to a hemi-head?). The spark plug wire/insulator is about 4" or 5" and runs straight down a hole through the valve cover and head. I use an extension and spark plug socket to get down there to it (real easy). The reason I'm telling you this is to explain how the insulators could arc off to the head.
Anyway, I asked the mechanic/owner of the place how sure he was that this is indeed the problem. He said 100%. I asked him how much for them to do the repair, after labor and the diagnosis he wanted just under (but probably a little over) $400. I said, "!>?#@#$$!!!, you got to be @#$@$$@ kidding me!"
Naaaaaw! I just told him to button it up, I'd pay him what I owe him to that point and that I'd replace the distributor cap, button, and wires myself..... no biggie. He's a cool guy and said no problemo.
Hey guys, it wasn't my fault after all! Evidently, due to the higher resistance of the new spark plugs, the aged wires allowed the signal to take a less resistant path. Well that makes sense, since I could tell from the cherry catalyst and the black plugs that it was getting fuel. He said EVERYTHING else was in GREAT SHAPE.
I'm going to try to bring it home today, and fix it. I'll post on this topic if that indeed does the trick.
Yeah, I could've replaced these items to start with, but I didn't want to do what [EDITTED BY JYRO] Doc implied I was doing. Not that his actual post meant anything, but I'm not partial to throwing money around wastefully at anything.
One last thing about my diagnosis is, I noticed something that might have made a difference in all your diagnosis to me. When I'd take the 5th spark plug and put it in a pulled wire, I would lay that spark plug down near the hood latch area. I'd go crank the engine and sometimes, depending on where the spark plug and insulator/wire was laying there would be an arc from the insulator over to a nut or bolt. And I did pick up the thing, and get the spark plug to arc to a nut or bolt (which I posted previously), and could also get the insulator to arc to the nut or bolt by hand. Would that have made a difference on your diagnosis to me?
But see, in my mind, I didn't realize that that was odd. That being abnormal never crossed my mind, or I would've mentioned it. I guess you call that sort of stuff ignorance, or to be politically correct (so I don't get my tender little feelings hurt, hehehe) a lack of experience. But hey, I diagnosed it perdy good. I even said something about the spark plugs not being able to make spark in the combustion chamber due to the added load of the fuel and compression in a previous post.
Lastly, I'd like to say that I appreciate all your efforts in helping me out. You guys really know your I TRIED TO BY-PASS THE CUSSING FILTER, and you're a great bunch of guys to help me out with my girly, gas/rice burning, little sissy drive to work car. I'm sending you guys a virtual 6-pack of your favorite brand of beer (ice cold, no less). Thanks.
Ram Ahead!
P. S. I had a lot of fun towing my car to the service place with Big Blue, Wooo Hooo!
- JyRO
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Y2K 2500 Cummins ETC/DEE, SLT+, 4X4, Quad, LB, Intense Blue Sport, 3. 54 LSD, rear aux. springs (camper special), sliding rear window, all options except cab clearance lights including agate leather, totally stock engine, silencer ring removed, "stealth," mod to run fogs with high beam. (20. 8 mpg @ 70 mph) Since everybody else listed their toys, I will too.
2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4X4, 5-speed, 3. 4L V6 (25. 5 mpg @ 65 mph)
1995 Kawasaki ZX6-R, 97 H. P. @ Rr tire, 6-speed, . 6L I-4, 410 lbs. wet
- (60+ mpg @ 65 mph, but who can do that?) (For Sale)-[SOLD]
1990 Toyota Celica STX, FWD, 5-speed, 1. 6L I4 (36+ mpg @ 65 mph)
1983 Mazda RX-7 GSL Limited Edition RWD, 5-speed, 1. 1L Wankel (For sale)
No auto trannies in my home! Just say, "No!" to auto trannies.
Anyway, I asked the mechanic/owner of the place how sure he was that this is indeed the problem. He said 100%. I asked him how much for them to do the repair, after labor and the diagnosis he wanted just under (but probably a little over) $400. I said, "!>?#@#$$!!!, you got to be @#$@$$@ kidding me!"
Naaaaaw! I just told him to button it up, I'd pay him what I owe him to that point and that I'd replace the distributor cap, button, and wires myself..... no biggie. He's a cool guy and said no problemo.
Hey guys, it wasn't my fault after all! Evidently, due to the higher resistance of the new spark plugs, the aged wires allowed the signal to take a less resistant path. Well that makes sense, since I could tell from the cherry catalyst and the black plugs that it was getting fuel. He said EVERYTHING else was in GREAT SHAPE.
I'm going to try to bring it home today, and fix it. I'll post on this topic if that indeed does the trick.
Yeah, I could've replaced these items to start with, but I didn't want to do what [EDITTED BY JYRO] Doc implied I was doing. Not that his actual post meant anything, but I'm not partial to throwing money around wastefully at anything.
One last thing about my diagnosis is, I noticed something that might have made a difference in all your diagnosis to me. When I'd take the 5th spark plug and put it in a pulled wire, I would lay that spark plug down near the hood latch area. I'd go crank the engine and sometimes, depending on where the spark plug and insulator/wire was laying there would be an arc from the insulator over to a nut or bolt. And I did pick up the thing, and get the spark plug to arc to a nut or bolt (which I posted previously), and could also get the insulator to arc to the nut or bolt by hand. Would that have made a difference on your diagnosis to me?
But see, in my mind, I didn't realize that that was odd. That being abnormal never crossed my mind, or I would've mentioned it. I guess you call that sort of stuff ignorance, or to be politically correct (so I don't get my tender little feelings hurt, hehehe) a lack of experience. But hey, I diagnosed it perdy good. I even said something about the spark plugs not being able to make spark in the combustion chamber due to the added load of the fuel and compression in a previous post.
Lastly, I'd like to say that I appreciate all your efforts in helping me out. You guys really know your I TRIED TO BY-PASS THE CUSSING FILTER, and you're a great bunch of guys to help me out with my girly, gas/rice burning, little sissy drive to work car. I'm sending you guys a virtual 6-pack of your favorite brand of beer (ice cold, no less). Thanks.
Ram Ahead!
P. S. I had a lot of fun towing my car to the service place with Big Blue, Wooo Hooo!
- JyRO
------------------
Y2K 2500 Cummins ETC/DEE, SLT+, 4X4, Quad, LB, Intense Blue Sport, 3. 54 LSD, rear aux. springs (camper special), sliding rear window, all options except cab clearance lights including agate leather, totally stock engine, silencer ring removed, "stealth," mod to run fogs with high beam. (20. 8 mpg @ 70 mph) Since everybody else listed their toys, I will too.
2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4X4, 5-speed, 3. 4L V6 (25. 5 mpg @ 65 mph)
1995 Kawasaki ZX6-R, 97 H. P. @ Rr tire, 6-speed, . 6L I-4, 410 lbs. wet
- (60+ mpg @ 65 mph, but who can do that?) (For Sale)-[SOLD]
1990 Toyota Celica STX, FWD, 5-speed, 1. 6L I4 (36+ mpg @ 65 mph)
1983 Mazda RX-7 GSL Limited Edition RWD, 5-speed, 1. 1L Wankel (For sale)
No auto trannies in my home! Just say, "No!" to auto trannies.
