[335iAP]

Hey everyone,

I had planned to get my sparks/coils replaced this weekend when I was driving home (about an hour away). Suddenly my car is misfiring pretty badly even at idle. Any idea if it's safe for me to 1) take it to work and back (only about 3 miles round trip) and 2) about an hour driving home if I drive it lightly?

I don't want to damage the engine but I also need to get to work. I also already have someone at home who ordered the parts for me. Am I risking anything by continuing to drive it?

Thanks!

[Snypa]

When this happened to me I was told by members that its hard to 'blow' these engines and that i should run it like normal and do logs. I didn't really do this as the vibration and backfiring was too crazy.

[Tiago@VRSF]

The mis-fires at WOT is what you have to worry about. A few mis-fires during idle/cruise won't cause any permanent damage although I wouldn't make a habit of it. Get the plugs/coils replaced ASAP.

[derrick603]

If you haven't done so already, try clearing the codes (assuming you have a misfire CEL) before driving to work.

I had a similar issue a few months back when one of my spark plugs was on the way out, and clearing the codes made the misfires at idle and light loads go away for a few days.

[335iAP]

All I have is a "check engine soon" light and don't have any way to clear codes. I assume it's a misfire because it happened after I got into the throttle trying to catch an exit, but I could by wrong.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by 335iAP

All I have is a "check engine soon" light and don't have any way to clear codes. I assume it's a misfire because it happened after I got into the throttle trying to catch an exit, but I could by wrong.

If you have a tune like JB4 or Cobb you can pull the codes from the tune.

If not, you can go to local auto parts stores like auto zone and they can check codes for free.

I'd check the codes before blindly buying spark plugs and coilpacks, especially coilpacks as usually all 6 don't go bad at one time.

[335iAP]

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

If you have a tune like JB4 or Cobb you can pull the codes from the tune.

If not, you can go to local auto parts stores like auto zone and they can check codes for free.

I'd check the codes before blindly buying spark plugs and coilpacks, especially coilpacks as usually all 6 don't go bad at one time.

I needed them replaced anyway and had already bought the parts, so it's not a huge deal. I guess if these don't fix it I should try injectors next?

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by 335iAP

I needed them replaced anyway and had already bought the parts, so it's not a huge deal. I guess if these don't fix it I should try injectors next?

Well without an exact code you would just be replacing parts blindly.

It's much easier to pull the codes first for troubleshooting.

Be that as it may, you may be able to find a hint of an injector issue if it's leaking as the spark plugs would be fouled.

[335iAP]

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

Well without an exact code you would just be replacing parts blindly.

It's much easier to pull the codes first for troubleshooting.

Be that as it may, you may be able to find a hint of an injector issue if it's leaking as the spark plugs would be fouled.

That makes sense. I'll get the codes checked out. Thanks!