Background

Bought the car with about 90k miles. Coil pack nodes was corroded and was arching to the intake manifold (was kinda cool).

Took the crappy stock wires and replaced them with Magnicore wires. I also bought NGK Iridium spark plugs (same cold number).

While replacing the plugs I noticed that oil was in the little lip at the entrance of the spark plug hole. I have a replacment valve cover gasket on the way. I also have a replacement coil pack on the way.

The Problem

For awhile I was having random spark plug wires just coming lose and in general the car was running ****ty with missfires (imagine that).

So last night I pull everything...make sure that the wires and plugs are on tight. Make sure the connections are good.

Put it all back together and its running perfect! WEWT! I think I solved it.

Until this morning. I get a flashing CEL at idle! Then the car proceeds to stumble like its going out of style. When I got to work I opened the hood only to find each plug wire firmly in place. *** mate?

So I'm at a loss. I dunno whats going on. I'm wondering if heat up is causing a gap between the wire and the plug? Cause it was running great. Now ****ty.

I dunno ... got any ideas?

Thanks
Frustrated in Jeff City

could be a faulty o2 sensor causing a misfire.

Originally posted by Burnout
could be a faulty o2 sensor causing a misfire.

:huh: - is that a known problem with RS's? I'm just kinda curious as to how the O2 sensor effects the timing. Or does the ecu see something freaky and start doing funky things

The problem is the Magnacores. Others have had the same issue. Basically, the boot on the wire is not exactly the right size and they work their way loose. Somebody did a comprehensive write-up before on this. With a search you might be able to find the thread.

- Steve

Originally posted by zzyzx
The problem is the Magnacores. Others have had the same issue. Basically, the boot on the wire is not exactly the right size and they work their way loose. Somebody did a comprehensive write-up before on this. With a search you might be able to find the thread.

- Steve

*** :furious:

did a search on all forums (slow search got 3 results)
:furious: :furious:

I can't find the original Magnecore writeup either, but I did a lot of research on it a year ago when I first got my car, looking into improvements, etc.

From what I recall, the Magnecores are great plug wires that don't really work well with Subarus for some reason. But the good news is, a number of knowlegeable Suby types said that the stock plug wires are about as good as you could really ask for. I don't know if that's true or not, but at my 60k service I slapped new Suby wires and platinum plugs on there, and 15k later they're still working great.

It's either that, or that faulty coil pack (RS's are known to have coil pack corrosion issues) or a combo of both, I'm betting.

I have a replacement coilpack on the way. If that doesnt fix it, someone is going to ****in die.

from Magnacore


We have similar problem with all engines of this general design (with
spark plugs down a deep hole) but there is always a reason - the few
sets I have seen that came back were never pushed completely onto the
spark plug. without seeing the wires it is hard to say what the problem is.

The spark plug boot is the same spark plug boot that Subaru use
(purchased from the same source), so that cannot be the problem

I'd wait and see on the coil, but the flashing cel = no good. Can you replicate in a parking lot? pop the hood, and have someone rev it. Maybe you'll see the arcing... just a thought.
AO

** Update **

So I pull the RS in the garage last night to get it ready for the valve cover gasket replacement.

My roommate had the great idea of putting his hand close to the coil pack. Needless to say it arced and he said his arm went numb for about 20 seconds.

I'm thinking there is something wrong with the coil pack. ;)

Also, I was able to reset the CEL and wait for a new one. #4 was the one reporting the missfire. #4 off the coilpack is the one has the corroded node. Very interesting ;)

still waiting on the replacement parts to get here

Originally posted by JenisonWRX
** Update **

My roommate had the great idea of putting his hand close to the coil pack. Needless to say it arced and he said his arm went numb for about 20 seconds.

I'm thinking there is something wrong with the coil pack. ;)


:lol: That's the funny thing about coil packs, You'll only get shocked ONCE! You learn fast about those suckers! :lol:

Originally posted by JenisonWRX
** Update **
Also, I was able to reset the CEL and wait for a new one. #4 was the one reporting the missfire. #4 off the coilpack is the one has the corroded node. Very interesting ;)

still waiting on the replacement parts to get here

This isn't your coilpack, it's the boots on the Magnacores. This, in fact, is the same issue I have. I always have to check to make sure that the wires are making contact. On my Magnacores, the wires actually back themselves out of the boots, so it's real hard to tell. The node is discolored due to arcing, and the arcing is do to the fact there is a gap between the lead and the node. Take a wire brush and clean off the node, and make sure there is good contact between the lead and the node. This is not a coilpack issue and I'm afraid you've wasted money already on this...

- Steve

Steve

I've taken a brush and sandpaper and whatever else I can find and made sure the node was clean.

If in fact that its discolored because of arcing, then there is the culprit. I'm going to replace the coilpack anyway. I dont feel bad about doing it, even if its not needed.

I'll concentrait my efforts in making sure that the connection is sound on the coilpack end (or at least stays that way)

I'll keep you up to date. Thanks for the info

my wires basically disintegrated at/by 70k, and I just bit the bullet and got the stockers from the dealer - it was~$60, and it was worth it. I've never seen aftermarket wires fit properly.

This was my problem. I thought that I had a problem with my wires, and coil pack. I had corrosion on cylinder number 1 and 3. I got a CE light that’s said I had a misfire in cylinder 1 and 2, and I got the front 02 sensor code also. So I cleaned the coil pack up brushed the corrosion off, and on the inside of the boots too (there was corrosion in their) and used dialectic grease on all ends of the coil pack, inside of the boots, and on top of the sparkplugs. Drove about 2 more days and my car was running like crap still. Acceleration was slow, my gas mileage was terrible. Finally on the 3rd day I got the front 02 sensor code, replaced it and now my car is back to normal running like a champ. So what Im trying to say is that it may be the front 02 sensor.

Originally posted by AndyM
This was my problem. I thought that I had a problem with my wires, and coil pack. I had corrosion on cylinder number 1 and 3. I got a CE light that’s said I had a misfire in cylinder 1 and 2, and I got the front 02 sensor code also. So I cleaned the coil pack up brushed the corrosion off, and on the inside of the boots too (there was corrosion in their) and used dialectic grease on all ends of the coil pack, inside of the boots, and on top of the sparkplugs. Drove about 2 more days and my car was running like crap still. Acceleration was slow, my gas mileage was terrible. Finally on the 3rd day I got the front 02 sensor code, replaced it and now my car is back to normal running like a champ. So what Im trying to say is that it may be the front 02 sensor.

thanks for getting to the point :lol: I havent gotten a CEL for that yet. However, if the problem continues I will visit the O2 sensor.

Thanks

Replacing the coil pack is a good idea, but putting a used wire on it is not, you might come into the same problem.

Once one of those terminals corrodes, the wires will not seat properly.

I think you issue is going to be with the connections at the coil and the magnecore wires.

Jay

ive had the magnecore wires on my car, and they fell off alot turns out the little odd nut on top of the sparkplug is too short compared to the plugs magnecore deigned them for..soo i just got longer nuts for the tops of my sparkplugs and they never fell off again..differnt plugs have different height nuts or connector nuts whatever you call em'..on top of the plug...

basically what we are getting out of this thread is not to buy magnecore

Originally posted by JenisonWRX
basically what we are getting out of this thread is not to buy magnecore

Ya think:confused: :lol:

I used to use Magnecore wires (and Sorenson MonoMags) on Chevy V-8' with great success.

But I agree, Jap engines with the deep wells for the plugs make it a PITA to get wires to fit and properly seated.

A Magnecore Thread (http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=372668&highlight=magnecor+wires)

** Update **

Ok...

Replaced

- Coil pack (stock to stock)
- Spark Plugs (Iridium to stock)
- Valve cover gasket
- Spark plug boot gaskets
- Magnecore wires are still in waiting for stock replacement

Observations

When I took out the Iridium plugs they looked black as midnight. They also had a very strong smell of gas. Obviously running pig rich when I had the CEL

Results

While the car is running and actually idling like stock there is still a SLIGHT studder every now and then.

The car will hesitate and feel like its bogging at low RPM's then will surge. Anything over 4k RPM's and the car starts to freak out.

If you give it partial throttle and slow transitions between off throttle and on it runs just great. Mashing on it and you might as well have done nothing.

Now I still have the plug wires to replace but I think this is more then just wires. I have a feeling the car is just dumping fuel everywhere.

Now reading back at AndyM's suggestion of 02 sensor failure, is there any way I can test this?

are yoiu firing on all 4 cylinders? b/c this is what my car is doing. i managed to get my car to idle properly, it would surge every now and then, but only rev up to around 3500 - 4k. and fuel is being dumped everywhere, mainly b/c there are 2 non firing cylinders.

power doesnt feel like its THAT low but I wont rule it out. While I was driving I got a CEL. I'll pull the code(s) and see whats going on.

sometimes a bad temp sensor keeps the ECU from knowing the car is warmed up. makes it run 'choked' all the time.

For the record, I had no problems with my Magnecores, but I was pretty brutal popping them onto the plugs.

smacksube:

are yoiu firing on all 4 cylinders? b/c this is what my car is doing. i managed to get my car to idle properly, it would surge every now and then, but only rev up to around 3500 - 4k. and fuel is being dumped everywhere, mainly b/c there are 2 non firing cylinders.


Hmmmm, this must be my car having issues. I wish you would CALL ME and let me know whats going on. That doesn't sound too healthy at all. :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

I’m having basically the same problem with cylinders 2 and 3. Replaced the plugs and wires with stock stuff. Still get flashing CEL below 3500 rpm and rough idle, especially under 1k rpm. Smell gas when I start her up and at idle as well, so I know it’s missing still (or again). I didn’t see any corrosion on the coil at all, just some slight discoloration. I’m wondering now if I should replace it and see if that’s the problem.

The thermometer was just replaced at a shop; what are the odds that this is my problem? I’m referring to a post on page one that mentioned that a bad thermostat can cause the car to run weird. Thing is, I’m not getting any funny temp readings and this happens after the car is warmed up as well as when it’s cold. I’m going to get the codes pulled as soon as I can (Autozone is a good half hour away, unfortunately, and time’s hard to come by lately but I need to get there).

After the coil, what the heck to I check for next?