xt2005bonbon Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Thinking about it, if the spark plug is indeed carbon fouled, then IMO it would go against having issues with the IM gasket; since the latter brings lean condition to the cylinder. While according to the manual a carbon fouled spark plug is due to a rich condition. Speculations, oh speculations... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltasierrahotel Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Every once in a while, yeah. But I do have plug fouling on #4, so I'm not sure what to make of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltasierrahotel Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Some but nothing dramatic. By the time I change my oil at 5k miles it's on the low end of the dipstick. No smoke out the tailpipe or anything. As I understand it, it's not unusual for a little oil consumption in these cars. Just look at Byron's signature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltasierrahotel Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Every once in a while, yeah. But I do have plug fouling on #4, so I'm not sure what to make of that. Another possibility is that last time the plugs were done (before I owned the car) plug #4 wasn't changed when the others were, since's it's really hard to get to... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xt2005bonbon Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Wait. Your drove 5k miles without making sure your oil level was full at all time? 1 quart per OCI (3.75k miles) is common as I understand. That's what mine is doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltasierrahotel Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 so, how many miles does cyl 4's plug have on it? I bought the car with about 85k on it. I don't know what was done with the plugs up till now (94k) when I changed all four. It could be the plugs were replaced around 60k and whoever was doing it didn't want to deal with #4 because it's more difficult to get to. That's just speculation. Or maybe the plugs have never been changed till now. I can't say. Wait. Your drove 5k miles without making sure your oil level was full at all time? 1 quart per OCI (3.75k miles) is common as I understand. That's what mine is doing. No, I check my oil every few times I fill up my gas tank. I have added a little on occasion, but I don't usually get around to an oil change till about 5k (which I know I should do more often). When I changed my oil a couple weeks ago I hadn't added any since the last oil change and it was right at the lower dot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltasierrahotel Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 So I guess my bottom line is that I don't think I'm consuming any more oil than anyone with a healthy motor around my mileage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xt2005bonbon Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 When I changed my oil a couple weeks ago I hadn't added any since the last oil change and it was right at the lower dot. So, that means you did not check and replenish your oil during your whole OCI. And as a result, you drove your car for a little while with only about 3 quarts of oil. Not starting an argument or anything, but just make sure your oil is full at all time. FYI, between L and F on the dipstick you have to add about a quart of oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltasierrahotel Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Not starting an argument or anything, but just make sure your oil is full at all time. Thanks, no offense taken, I should be more vigilant. I have always understood the low mark on a dipstick to denote the low end of the safe operating range, but I should be more proactive. In the meantime, my big problem is the misfire in #4. I just returned from the Napa Auto store that is apparently the receiving center for FredBeansParts.com (odd). Starting with a cold engine (it's about 30 F here today) I got a pending P0304 code on the way up there (but no CEL). I cleared it before heading back to work and scanned for codes when I got back with a warm engine and there were none. I pray this problem happens to my cold motor because because the heat is expanding my IMGs, not my internal components. It's possible I did the carb cleaner test while the engine was still too warm from my last trip, so the IMG didn't have a change to contract. I'll change my gaskets tomorrow and we'll see what happens. Thanks, guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Be sure and let us know next week how the (o-rings) work out. I think that's the gaskets your talking about. I'm sure you also know now, DO NOT let the oil get LOW, keep it full. These cars are not like a old Ford pick-up truck. Not that I let my 86 F150 ever get down on oil either. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xt2005bonbon Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Once again, I wish you the best of luck. I also hope it'll be the IMGs. I did read that the carb cleaner test must be done on a bone cold engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltasierrahotel Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 The walkthrough I'm finding for the Intake Manifold Gaskets is here but it's for 07-09. There's not another one out there for the 05-06 right? Also, Byron, you're advising not removing the whole manifold, right? Just lifting up the corners and replacing the gaskets? I have some dental picks so hopefully it's not too difficult. Of course the problem gasket (if there is one) is on the driver's side, which is hardest to get to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltasierrahotel Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 But the intercooler will still need to come off? Or only if you remove the manifold entirely instead of using the Byron method? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltasierrahotel Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 Well, I forgot my sister's move was this weekend, so I didn't get to my intake manifold gaskets yet. I did do the carb cleaner test cold while my dad watched the tachometer and there wasn't any surge. I'll have to replace the gaskets this week or weekend. Saturday the CEL came on, which hasn't happened for a week, even though the car was already warmed up. I pulled a P0304 and a P0302. So that's interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xt2005bonbon Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 Did your spark plugs look like these? ----> http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/check-out-my-spark-plugs-pleasei-200916.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltasierrahotel Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 Did your spark plugs look like these? ----> http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/check-out-my-spark-plugs-pleasei-200916.html My #4 was darker (black) and with more fouling on the insulator, but the residue was still dry and charcoalish, not oily. And I'd say #s 1-3 insulators were whiter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xt2005bonbon Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 but the residue was still dry and charcoalish, not oily. That's exactly how mine is. This apparently is considered carbon fouled. But what I don't get is that the manual thinks such fouling is most likely due to weak ignition, dirty air filter, etc.., but neither ringland failure nor valves. Don't know if you read my whole thread but looks like we are kinna in the same boat . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltasierrahotel Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 Yeah, I was thinking that. Have you ever had a misfire on #2? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xt2005bonbon Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 Yeah, I was thinking that. Have you ever had a misfire on #2? No. But I did get a pending one once. That's all. I read not long ago that a misfire on #4 could at times induce a misfire on the cylinder next to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltasierrahotel Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 Well, my sympathies, friend. I have doubts about the intake manifold gaskets, since my recent couple of misfires have happened when the car was warm and the carb cleaner spray test didn't result in any surges. Let me know what you find on your compression test. Will you be able to do a leak down test yourself? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xt2005bonbon Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 Well, my sympathies, friend. I have doubts about the intake manifold gaskets, since my recent couple of misfires have happened when the car was warm and the carb cleaner spray test didn't result in any surges. Let me know what you find on your compression test. Will you be able to do a leak down test yourself? thanks. I am not sure if I'll be able to do a leak down test myself. I will see. Given what happened to my car 10000 miles ago (timing belt tensioner failed while driving), I should do one. For my engine, my current bet is on valves, not ringland failure. We'll see though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltasierrahotel Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 Well, good luck! Let me know your compression results? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xt2005bonbon Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 Well, good luck! Let me know your compression results? thanks. I will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xt2005bonbon Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 I forgot to mention: did you ever clean your MAF sensor and make sure your air filter was clean? Or have you already begun the tear down process? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltasierrahotel Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 I did change my air filter when I did my plugs. The old one looked moderately dirty but not too bad. I have not cleaned my MAF sensor, but I'll look into it. Did you have some luck with that? *crosses fingers* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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