Misfire while starting

daddysvolvobus · Post by **daddysvolvobus** » 29 Jan 2010, 09:16

When I try and start the car when its very cold out (and sometimes its just whenever) it will crank over alot and not catch and also have a misfire-it'll just stop cranking then I'll have to turn the key and try again.

Have a new battery
New Spark plugs this summer
New ETM two weeks ago

Post by **jblackburn** » 29 Jan 2010, 09:19

Do any of your coil packs have visible cracks in them?

daddysvolvobus · Post by **daddysvolvobus** » 29 Jan 2010, 09:39

I have yet to look at that, will do it this afternoon...
When I changed the spark plugs this summer I had never seen those type of spark plug boots before, its like each spark plug has a coil instead of a coil pack, am I right on that??

Also, For some reason theres been OIL underneath the plastic cover that is over the spark plugs...could that foul them>?

Post by **jblackburn** » 29 Jan 2010, 11:29

On 99+ cars (and the earlier 960 models), each spark plug had its own coil rather than the standard ignition coil and distributor that has been used since...well...forever.

It's a more efficient system, allows better engine control, etc.

If cracks develop in the sides of the coil boots from the high heat in the wells, the sparks will ground to the sides of the spark plug well and the plug won't fire. As the engine warms up, the plastic expands and might seal up and they all work fine again.

It's just a guess anyway

daddysvolvobus · Post by **daddysvolvobus** » 29 Jan 2010, 11:34

Interesting, I will def have to check that cause it is a mystery as to why its doing that...

Any idea why I might have oil near the spark plug boots>??
I was thinking maybe my oil cap was leaking under high pressure

Post by **jblackburn** » 29 Jan 2010, 11:42

Oh yeah, sorry. That's the oil cap gasket. They all leak once they get old. Put a new one on, problem solved.

BUT! If you have a PCV system (I think I remember you cleaning yours?) that's clogged at all do NOT replace it until you get a chance to clean it. It's better for it to vent and blow out oil there than your engine seals.

daddysvolvobus · Post by **daddysvolvobus** » 29 Jan 2010, 12:01

NO I never cleaned my PVC system, how do I know if it needs cleaning???

Post by **jblackburn** » 29 Jan 2010, 12:34

oh fun...apparently our work internet has died.

go take your car for a short 5 minute or so drive and warm it up to operating temp. then pull out the oil dipstick with the engine running and see if you notice any smoke puffing out of it. if there is no smoke, grab a piece of paper or a balloon and hold it over the opening. it should be sucked in slightly if the pcv is operating correctly.

if you are getting smoke than it is venting the excess crankcase pressure through your oil cap seal, which, while messy is good at this point as its not blowing the pressure out your cam or rear main seals instead.

if you need to clean the system, just search the site here for the tutorial, i know ive posted the link in several places to the great write_up i used for the system on a turbo car.