New user with missing problems

[redkneck]

Hey guys, newbie here! I got a 98 corolla a month ago from a friend of mine to save some gas. Runs pretty good, a little rough at idle, but no big issues. Yesterday coming through a rain it started missing, and is still missing this morning. I stuck my scanner on it and got P0300, 302, 303. Are cylinders 2&3 on one coil? I figured the coil got a good soaking and needs replaced, but that's just my guess. Looks like two coils on the car, is that right?

Thanks in advance,
John

[Buurin]

Originally Posted by redkneck

Hey guys, newbie here! I got a 98 corolla a month ago from a friend of mine to save some gas. Runs pretty good, a little rough at idle, but no big issues. Yesterday coming through a rain it started missing, and is still missing this morning. I stuck my scanner on it and got P0300, 302, 303. Are cylinders 2&3 on one coil? I figured the coil got a good soaking and needs replaced, but that's just my guess. Looks like two coils on the car, is that right?

Thanks in advance,
John

We have two coils on wasted spark setup. Firing order is 1-4-2-3 so I think 1-2 share one coil and 3-4 share the other. Looks like either both coil packs are missing or the problem is somewhere else. Check the plug wire routing to be sure. Closest to the coil packs is #4.

[redkneck]

Thanks a lot! So to get me straight, looking from the front (coils on right side) It's 1-2-3-4 from left to right then?

[landphil]

Swap the 2-3 coil and the 1-4 coil - if the problem follows the coil - change the bad one. If it stays, check or replace the plugs and wires. It's probably a wire.

[landphil]

Originally Posted by redkneck

Thanks a lot! So to get me straight, looking from the front (coils on right side) It's 1-2-3-4 from left to right then?

That is correct for the corolla

[landphil]

Originally Posted by Buurin

We have two coils on wasted spark setup. Firing order is 1-4-2-3 so I think 1-2 share one coil and 3-4 share the other. Looks like either both coil packs are missing or the problem is somewhere else. Check the plug wire routing to be sure. Closest to the coil packs is #4.

2 and 3 share a coil , as do 1 and 4

[redkneck]

I'll do that, and thanks very much. Once I got home I could see the coil that is the problem. I'll get it swithced and see if I get the 401-404 codes next.

[redkneck]

I'm starting with plugs and wires, I was going to switch coils, but I saw right away the wires were in crappy shape, so I got some new ones. When I got to #3 I found the plug well was half full of oil. Time for a valve cover gasket. Does anyone have some suggestions and tips for this job while I'm in there? Any help would be appreciated!

[landphil]

Originally Posted by redkneck

I'm starting with plugs and wires, I was going to switch coils, but I saw right away the wires were in crappy shape, so I got some new ones. When I got to #3 I found the plug well was half full of oil. Time for a valve cover gasket. Does anyone have some suggestions and tips for this job while I'm in there? Any help would be appreciated!

The valve cover gasket and grommets are pretty straight forward, use a little bit of black or grey rtv sealant in the corners, and brake clean works great for clean-up.

[redkneck]

Put the gasket on yesterday with a little RTV, esp around the plug sealing area. Put the wires on this morning and she ran like a champ. Thanks!