Started Missing - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Corolla Payolla · 05-23-2011, 10:30 AM

Just started missing this weekend, mostly under load It would only do it on wet day till it warmed up. My plugs look good, just pulled 'em & they're clean, correct heat range, wires are 2 yrs old.

I don't know where the fuel filter is, tank maybe? It probaby 263K? So

that may be a good place to start. How long do the pumps last? Are they in the tank. I've mostly used BP or marathon gas w cleaners.

Air filter is fine too!

What else?

Thanks,
Dave

landphil · 05-23-2011, 11:21 AM

Fuel filter is in the tank, toyota says it does not require service, but at you milage it may be a good idea. Does it happen mostly on quick accelleration and at about 1/2 throttle? If so , that's more a sign of ignition troubles. Be sure the plug gap is not excessive - I just cured a '99 of the same issue last week as the gap was over .060 on each plug - re-adjusted to .043 and it ran like a champ. I'm thinking plug wires though even if they are newer, especialy with the "wet day" comment. One of the coils could also be the culprit, the easy way to check is to swap the plug wires and low voltage connector to the to the opposite coils and see if the misfire codes (the missfire has to happen for about 10-15 seconds continually for the code to log) follow the coil (#1+#4 are common, as are #2+#3) You would need an OBDII code reader though.

Corolla Payolla · 05-23-2011, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by landphil

Fuel filter is in the tank, toyota says it does not require service, but at you milage it may be a good idea. Does it happen mostly on quick accelleration and at about 1/2 throttle? If so , that's more a sign of ignition troubles. Be sure the plug gap is not excessive - I just cured a '99 of the same issue last week as the gap was over .060 on each plug - re-adjusted to .043 and it ran like a champ. I'm thinking plug wires though even if they are newer, especialy with the "wet day" comment. One of the coils could also be the culprit, the easy way to check is to swap the plug wires and low voltage connector to the to the opposite coils and see if the misfire codes (the missfire has to happen for about 10-15 seconds continually for the code to log) follow the coil (#1+#4 are common, as are #2+#3) You would need an OBDII code reader though.

LandPhil,

I did not ck the gap, & the plugs are Bosch w dual tip. The miss occurs at no more than 1/2 throttle. I very rarely go past that point. Going up a slight incline & just putting the clutch in & giving it gas it misses once. It doesn't rev uf as quickly either. I do have a Scan GuageII & she does throw a 0440 or 0400 code, can't rememebr which. I can take it to a parts store too. I do have some wires from some of my Honda's they should reach the plug.

Thanks for the info on the fuel filter. I will try w/ the plug gap first & look for wires! Theses wires were replaced but seem to skinny!

Thanks for your help,
Dave

landphil · 05-23-2011, 01:19 PM

Yup, probably start w/ plug gap. It's critical on the "wasted spark" system your 'rolla has. (mine is an '01 so has coil packs) PO400 is EGR, and PO440 is evap, are you sure it's not PO300 - random/multiple misfire? Would make more sense, otherwise chase the other code before you go too far in the ignition direction.

Corolla Payolla · 05-25-2011, 06:23 AM

LandPhil,

The code is 0420 sorry. You were right on the plug gap, pulled the 1st plug on the passenger side & it had a carbon track going down the outside of the plug. That made it easier for me. Made the gaps a little closer on my duel element plug & the miss went away. I will get another set, these are Bosch, I think I want to go w/ NGK's if they make a simliar plug.

Thanks for setting me on the right path & sharing your knownledge on your 99. If only more things in life were this simple!

Thanks again,
Dave

Corolla Payolla · 05-26-2011, 08:59 PM

I wanted to use an NGK plug but was only able to find a dual element plug in a Bosch + 2.much better, thanks again for your help Landphil.

So on my test drive I had to run to the post office about three mile away. Had the windows down & heard a ticking from my tire about a minute later the nail of whatever came out , tire went flat. I never had to use the spare since I had the car so no jack. Had the dog w/ me, no leash, & I figured I'd run there & back, no cell. I used a dog tie out & Izzy & I walked home. Luckily it wasn't raining, but a few minutes afterwards, we had a major downpour.

So when it rains, it pours,
Dave

briankmizell · 08-11-2011, 12:40 AM

I have had a random misfire issue on plug #3, i was pretty sure it was the plug wire because I was sometimes get shocked by the #3 wire and sometimes I wouldnt.

I noticed when I washed the engine the mis would come back, i realized the boot on the #3 wire was bad and allowing water to get in around the base of the plug itself.

When i blew the water out with compressed air (leaving the plug in the head) the miss would go away.

I washed the engine again the other day, and it started its missing again, I blew the water out again, and drove it into the garage to paint the car, about one week later I tried to start it and it just cranks over but wont start.

Two questions....

1. Is it possible that the coil or coils could have gotten damaged from the water in the socket of the #3 cylinder causing the missfire? Or maybe the combination of the water and the bad plug wire.

I havent checked any fuses yet, 2. If it were to be a blown fuse which one would it be?

Corolla Payolla · 08-11-2011, 01:27 PM

Mine would do the same when it was damp & than got worse untill I replaced the plugs, now its fine. Mine carbon tracked on the outside of the plug. My plug had so much resistance in it that it was easier for the spark to go outsinde the plug than inside.

I guess anything is possible, but the coils are sealed pretty good. in my case, my plug wires were only 1-2 yrs old. So if your wires weren't replaced you may want to start there, but look for the cabon track on the plug too!

Dave

briankmizell · 08-11-2011, 10:45 PM

took the plugs out no carbon on them just oil, (not burned oil fresh oil) the car doesnt smoke all the time, only when its revved hard. So I dont know the explanation for that.

The plugs are Bosche Platinum 4, the #3 plug had one of the conductors touching the main tip of the plug, i used a feeler gauge and got the gap the same as the others (which was just at 40 thousandths of an inch). that would explain the missing on #3 cylinder.

I am about to go check all the fuses, and see if any of them are blown. Right now that i the only thing I am thinking that would be causing it not to start.

Will update in a bit.

briankmizell · 08-12-2011, 04:32 AM

i cleaned all the plugs, all fuses are good. I dont know how to check the Main eng relay (that may not even have any thing to do with it not starting) its just strange how it started up a week ago and was only missing when i slightly gave it gas, I shut it off to park it and now it wont even start.