Hey, after the last time at the track it felt like i was running on less than 8 cylinders and now I am showing a random missfire code. I am pretty sure the water pump is leaking on the distributor, but would this cause a ticking noise that sounds like it is in the valvetrain? I am regasketing the water pump tonight, but should I also readjust the rr's? I just did them 200 miles ago maybe, all noise coming from 1 side, the side my friend did... but he was doing just what i was doing? If I hear the noise again after the water pump reinstallation does anyone know perfect technique to readjust RR's while car is running?
I get the nuts handtight, use a wrench to tighten VERY slightly until no more "clicking" from the rocker. Then I lock the locks, and then I go the extra 1/8th or so turn. Is this wrong?

thanks

 

You didn't mention if you coated the water pump bolts with a sealant. RTV not recommended.

ZMAN

 

yah, that was my next guess, I dont think I used loctite on the bolts, which is why I am about to take off my water pump and regasket it... you say no rtv on gasket? just loctite? or both?

 

The reason why no RTV is it will sometimes come off, possibly clogging you pump or cooling system. I have used it in the past without problems. Going with recommendations off the board I won't use it anymore. If you are going to use it, use high temp RTV. I am going to coat my threads with liquid teflon. I bought it form my head bolts, but was told by fellow board member it will work on the water pump bolts as well.

I don't know if loctite will seal from water leaking? Maybee some one else can chime up about this.

ZMAN

 

hmm I will not use the RTV then, the loctite I have claims to be waterproof... good enuff I hope?

 

I'll wager you money your random misfire and "ticking" is actually a plug that can not be tightened. See it all the time in OBDII's. Listen closely and see if it sounds more like a short burst of air. Find which cylinder is misfiring and check the plug for that cylinder.

 

wow thanks! I thought it was my exhaust leak, and when I fixed that the noise was still there... it sounds like the EGR is disconnected, but it is connected... I will definitly check that out! thanks!

 

Well what did you find???????

 

ok, well I found the tick... my EGR pipe had a leak in it. I welded the EGR pipes shut and screwed them back in, and re-gasketed the waterpump and have no leaks now. Only problem is, the random misfire is still there. The loud tick was the EGR leak, but now there is no uncommon noises under the hood and still a random missfire. I checked all the passenger side spark plugs, and none of them could even be tightened. I did not however take them out and inspect them because taking the headers off is definitly a task. I am about to go check the driver side plugs tomorrow, and hope one of them is loose. If not I will go get a diagnostic... can they check which cylinder is missfiring? could this be an injector? I will re-adjust my ears to listening under the hood now that it is quiet, and hope I can find something to help later... but anyone have any advice?

 

With mac headers, the plug removal is a breeze. Pull them to see if one of them isn't cracked

Z

 

you think its a breeze w/ macs? what is best way then, I have a socket, and I use a wrench to turn them... I guess it isnt that bad, do I have to remove y-pipe? its been a while since I have changed them... most likely is one of those bastards...
also, do you remove headers to do plugs?

thanks again

 

If the 96's are different then 95's, then sorry. But for me, I do them all from the top with a sparkplug socket and a 3/4 wrench. It takes me 1.5 hours on a slow day.

ZMAN

 

if it's a randon misfire, it's not just one cylinder. it's random. probably your opti, but dont jump to that conclusion. maybe wires, plugs, icm.... could be a many different things. no way for sure except to get in there and start doin some diagnosis.

 

Ok, random missfire was what the autozone scanner told me... I am thinking of taking it to a different place for better diagnosis. The opti is maybe 6 months old, plug wires new. I cannot get to the outside plugs w/ my 96 headers easily at all, but it looks like it is time. I checked all the plug wires when I was re-installing the water pump. if coolant got in my opti, how long does it take to evaporate all of it (it is vented)?
also, how could it be the icm? it is stock tuning, not touched yet. If it is just 1 plug would it not be considered a random missfire? Or is there just 1 code for missfires in those cheap scantools?

thanks again for the help

 

also, could it be the coil going bad? Would this possibly cause a missfire?