2001 s40 coil pack wires

[Netizen]

Ok, bare with me guys. Not only am I new to Volvo's (have only owned mine for about 6 months) but I really don't know much about cars in general.

I noticed about a week or so ago that the car was lagging a little. It still cranked fine but didn't have as much get-up-and-go as it should have, especially around the 55 - 65 mph range. The check engine light also came on. I took it to autozone who hooked it up and told me I had a misfire in cylinder 4. I was told by the guy at the store that it was more than likely just the spark plugs so I went ahead and bought a set - he recommended Bosch.

I put the four new spark plugs in but the problem has not gone away, it's just changed a little. The car is idling really rough - at times it almost sounds like it'll cut off (although I noticed it's a little better if it's in "park" rather than in "drive" while idling). When driving it actually seems to be doing ok - a little rough now and again, but it actually appears to be accelerating a little better than before. I read on here that it might be the coil pack that needs replaced so I went ahead and ordered one as well as ordering new spark plug wires - still waiting on both orders to arrive. Anyway, while I was looking at the motor I noticed the wires going into the coil pack (just where they go into the little harness) are brittle and cracking. They really look like they need replaced - do you think this could have been the problem all along?? I've tried finding new wires for the coil pack online but can't locate them. Where can I get them?? I know the volvo dealership would surely have them, but I was hoping to avoid the expense of visiting the dealership. Also, how difficult will it be to replace the wires?? I really don't have the money to pay someone right now but like I said at the start, I'm not the most car savvy person in the world.

P.S. I also didn't check the "gap" of the new spark plugs - does anyone know what it should be and would this possibly cause the problem I'm having??

[gorloth18252]

gap should be 0.028 buddy. the shop i had my volvo at had the gap at 0.04, and let me tell you, it messed up my engine...

[jdpartridge05]

I changed my plugs, coils, and wires at the same time and it made a difference in driveability. I used NGK iridium plugs instead though.

When changing the coils I broke the connectors which are very fragile so I would recommend getting them and new clips. My wires were in similar condition as yours. When you order new clips and connectors you get about a foot of extra wire. I cut the old wire back into the harness and replaced it with as much new wire as I could. Seems to have made a difference.

I have the same vibration as you have described and I believe it to be a motor or tranny mount being loose. I know I have one loose because I can feel it when I come off idle. When I come around to repair it I will let you know what one it is.

I got all my parts from store.voluparts.com