QuestionQUESTION: roland,my 1997 sebring lxi v6 has been fouling out #1 and #4 plugs.new sets of platinum plugs have been replaced twice after about 2,500 miles.wires have 25,ooo miles,distributor cap and rotor have 2,500 miles,have run seafoam and lucas treatments thru fuel,car runs good while on cruise controll or at interstate speed,misses badly while ideling and on takeoff after stopping,currently #1 plug is miss firing but car is running and does not stall out while ideling,any suggestions,car has 206,000 miles,thanks,stan,also running tried non ethanol for about 2 months
ANSWER: Hi Stan,
You might want to check the compression on the 1 and 4 cylinders, given the mileage on the engine.
The other possibility if the missing begins as you slow down or as you accelerate from slowing down/stopping is that the exhaust gas recirculation valve is sticking slightly ajar instead of closing tightly which it has to do at idle and to accelerate. So find the valve and then spray some WD-40 on the valve stem where it enters the body of the valve. Then take the tip of a screwdriver and insert it in slot of the valve stem and move the stem back and forth to free-up the 'action' and verify that the spring-action closes the valve to a dead stop.
Finally try for a fault code readout using the igniton switch:"on-off-on-off-on and leave 'on', doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the check engine light which remiains 'on', to see it begin to flash, pause, flash, etc. Count the number of flashes before eash pause. Then repeat to be sure of an accurate count, then tell me the counts in order of appearance. If may be that a '97 LXi won't do this in which case a free fault code readout at a nationwide parts store, such as Autozone, may be available to you. Let me know the 4-digit numbers that come out from that and we'll go from there.
Please 'rate' my answer (see the PS below).
Thanks,
Roland
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QUESTION: roland,looked at egr valve and found that a 1 inch rubber hose was not connected.drove home about 25 miles with no problems.does manifold have to come out to check spring and lubricate with wd40?i can see 2 holes on front of valve.also is plug ruined or will computer correct rough idle.engine light is burnt out as far as doing the on off test.have not tried that yet.up stream and down stream o2 censors have been replaced if that helps you.thanks again,stan
AnswerHi Stan,
If the behavior imporved by reattaching the vacuum hose then that corroborates that the egr was involved with your problem. Look closely for the valve's stem, hidden behind a metal flange that connects the valve body to the round plastic top piece of the valve to which a vacuum hose is attached. Then notice the circumferential slot on the stem. That is where to insert the screwdriver to allow you to move stem back and forth. Then spray the WD-40 on the stem where it enters the body of the valve and then move the stem back and forth to free up the action so the internal spring will close the valve tightly. You don't have to remove anything to do this, just look closely at the entire valve assembly.
I don't know which 'plug' you speak of or why it should be ruined.
If the egr is ajar it will cause a rough idle that the computer cannot correct because it is not 'aware' of that leaking egr valve situation. So try what I suggested and see if that resolves it. If not, then remove the cluster and replace the burned out 'check engine' light so you can then access for fault codes which may reveal another cause for the rough idle.
Thanks for the rating and nomination...which if you feel so-moved you can repeat for this answer.
Thanks,
Roland
