02 WRX..bounced off the rev limiter..P0303 Cylinder 3 misfire detected

RiskySeven · 10-30-2009, 05:31 PM

I know I know. Coming thru the parking lot to work this morning a little hot, I lit up all 4 wheels and bounced off the rev limiter for a second or two. Got in to head to lunch and had/have a mixed flashing/fixed CEL. yikes!! I'm going to check plugs/packs this weekend...but... What's worst case scenario here...floated valve train? Anybody had a nightmare repair bill from this? Drivetrain's 99% stock...95,XXX on it...never had a problem. Amsoil, 93 octane. I'm scared!

Forgot to mention....I cleared the ECU using the normal/documented procedure. Light came back on in about 2 minutes at idle. Runs really rough... Thanks.

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jonesboy · 10-30-2009, 05:35 PM

Might have jumped a tooth on the timing belt. If the code's returning and it's not running well, my advice is to run it as little as possible before having the valvetrain inspected.

Whoops - expensive drift in the parking lot. Sorry dude.

-Matt

SLDWYZ · 10-30-2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonesboy

Might have jumped a tooth on the timing belt. If the code's returning and it's not running well, my advice is to run it as little as possible before having the valvetrain inspected.

Whoops - expensive drift in the parking lot. Sorry dude.

-Matt

+ 1 on that def get it looked at .... do you have an AP or saomethng that can tell you more info?

paintbing · 10-30-2009, 08:07 PM

Does it run rough at all RPM's or just when idling?

---Tests---

1st off - COMPRESSION CHECK - Low compression on one SIDE of the motor (Cyl 1/3 or 2/4) means a skipped timing belt. If you have low compression in only 1 cyl, then it's likely you touched and bent a valve. HOWEVER - Before you 'assume' you should perform more tests below.

If the 2nd is true(low compression on 1 cyl), then LEAKDOWN time. Test the cylinder and find out if you bent an intake or exhaust valve. If the leakdown shows healthy valves, then it's likely you have a piston that is bad.

There are steps my son to checking your motor. I guarantee it's not going to be a simple fix like plugs or a filter.

spinningcain · 10-30-2009, 08:17 PM

Ive hit that thing a few times.. Never hurt mine Do you keep up with your oil?

cash1220 · 10-30-2009, 08:23 PM

getting a misfire cel after hitting the rev limiter is common. unless the misfire code keeps comming back or your engine has developed a weird sound i wouldnt worry about it.

paintbing · 10-30-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cash1220

getting a misfire cel after hitting the rev limiter is common. unless the misfire code keeps comming back or your engine has developed a weird sound i wouldnt worry about it.

reading > you.
He already stated the CEL came back on 2 minutes after an ECU reset.

RiskySeven · 10-30-2009, 10:03 PM

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I had to drive it home from work. The car was running smooth until I got to the highway...the light even kicked off...about a mile. As soon as I started accelerating lightly on the hwy WAY bad stutter and the CEL started flashing. Stutter calmed down as soon as i stopped accelerating. Nursed it along at 55...CEL kept flashing until traffic came to a stop. Then it's weird....runs rough for a bit...then mellows out....rough...mellows out...like 30 second intervals...sometimes CEL flashes, sometimes it stays on. If I had real mechanical failures, I would expect a constant issue? Spun ALL the main bearings in a chrysler conquest when I was a kid...it's nothing like that. I don't here any noticeable knocking/crunching.

And yes, amsoil changed religiously every 5k.

I'm spending the day in the garage tmrw...thx for all the tips paintbing...that will definitely help out! Have monday morning appt setup at lou fusz here in st. louis if I can't figure anything out before then.

paintbing · 10-30-2009, 10:15 PM

St. Louis... Dang, if you were near me, I'd help you.

I bought all the tools and never have a reason to use them anymore.

RiskySeven · 11-01-2009, 01:10 PM

WOOOOHOOOOO!!

Apparently when the wheels caught again it jerked hard enough to pull the connector off of the coil pack on cylinder 3....clipped it back on...all is good.

So...just for reference if anybody digs up this thread... Before I started taking things off I started the 'ru and listened for anything I could...both sides of the block sounded identical. I started wiggling the 1/3 coil pack wires...made a big difference in the tone and rough idle! Narrowed down to if I pull this way all is good, if I push that way it all goes to hell....very gently of course. Started digging in and as I touched the coil pack the harness that snaps in just slid right off. While I was there anyway I checked compression....150ish psi...not bad w/ almost 100k! Put it all back together, reset ECU, idled 5 minutes no CEL. Took her out to the nearest highway and she runs like a champ! About 70 miles on her last night w/ no issues.

One thing...the harness didn't have a real positive 'click' when I put them back together. If I pulled on it they wouldn't come apart, but the *slightest* pressure on the clip and it slides right off. If it happens again I figure I'll just put some high temp silicone around where it slides on.

Thanks again everyone. Happy Halloween hang over day!!

Deserves a happy banana dance

10-30-2009, 05:31 PM	#1
RiskySeven Scooby Newbie Member#: 26782 Join Date: Oct 2002 Vehicle: 2002 WRX WR Blue	02 WRX..bounced off the rev limiter..P0303 Cylinder 3 misfire detected I know I know. Coming thru the parking lot to work this morning a little hot, I lit up all 4 wheels and bounced off the rev limiter for a second or two. Got in to head to lunch and had/have a mixed flashing/fixed CEL. yikes!! I'm going to check plugs/packs this weekend...but... What's worst case scenario here...floated valve train? Anybody had a nightmare repair bill from this? Drivetrain's 99% stock...95,XXX on it...never had a problem. Amsoil, 93 octane. I'm scared! Forgot to mention....I cleared the ECU using the normal/documented procedure. Light came back on in about 2 minutes at idle. Runs really rough... Thanks. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

11-01-2009, 01:10 PM	#10
RiskySeven Scooby Newbie Member#: 26782 Join Date: Oct 2002 Vehicle: 2002 WRX WR Blue	Solved WOOOOHOOOOO!! Apparently when the wheels caught again it jerked hard enough to pull the connector off of the coil pack on cylinder 3....clipped it back on...all is good. So...just for reference if anybody digs up this thread... Before I started taking things off I started the 'ru and listened for anything I could...both sides of the block sounded identical. I started wiggling the 1/3 coil pack wires...made a big difference in the tone and rough idle! Narrowed down to if I pull this way all is good, if I push that way it all goes to hell....very gently of course. Started digging in and as I touched the coil pack the harness that snaps in just slid right off. While I was there anyway I checked compression....150ish psi...not bad w/ almost 100k! Put it all back together, reset ECU, idled 5 minutes no CEL. Took her out to the nearest highway and she runs like a champ! About 70 miles on her last night w/ no issues. One thing...the harness didn't have a real positive 'click' when I put them back together. If I pulled on it they wouldn't come apart, but the slightest pressure on the clip and it slides right off. If it happens again I figure I'll just put some high temp silicone around where it slides on. Thanks again everyone. Happy Halloween hang over day!! Deserves a happy banana dance

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10-30-2009, 05:35 PM	#2
jonesboy NASIOC Supporter Member#: 422 Join Date: Oct 1999 Chapter/Region: VIC Location: GVRD Vehicle: 1998 Legacy 2.5GT Rio Red	Might have jumped a tooth on the timing belt. If the code's returning and it's not running well, my advice is to run it as little as possible before having the valvetrain inspected. Whoops - expensive drift in the parking lot. Sorry dude. -Matt

10-30-2009, 08:07 PM	#4
paintbing Scooby Specialist Member#: 59388 Join Date: Apr 2004 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Utah --> San Luis Obispo, CA Vehicle: 2003 WRX - Hybrid I do my own stunts	Does it run rough at all RPM's or just when idling? ---Tests--- 1st off - COMPRESSION CHECK - Low compression on one SIDE of the motor (Cyl 1/3 or 2/4) means a skipped timing belt. If you have low compression in only 1 cyl, then it's likely you touched and bent a valve. HOWEVER - Before you 'assume' you should perform more tests below. If the 2nd is true(low compression on 1 cyl), then LEAKDOWN time. Test the cylinder and find out if you bent an intake or exhaust valve. If the leakdown shows healthy valves, then it's likely you have a piston that is bad. There are steps my son to checking your motor. I guarantee it's not going to be a simple fix like plugs or a filter.

10-30-2009, 08:17 PM	#5
spinningcain Scooby Specialist Member#: 176490 Join Date: Apr 2008 Chapter/Region: SWIC Location: Las Vegas Vehicle: 2004 WRX VF39 silver	Ive hit that thing a few times.. Never hurt mine Do you keep up with your oil?

10-30-2009, 08:23 PM	#6
cash1220 Scooby Newbie Member#: 156342 Join Date: Aug 2007 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Redondo Beach, CA Vehicle: 2004 WRX WRB Sedan Supr16g 19psi 11AFR 91Oct	getting a misfire cel after hitting the rev limiter is common. unless the misfire code keeps comming back or your engine has developed a weird sound i wouldnt worry about it.

10-30-2009, 10:03 PM	#8
RiskySeven Scooby Newbie Member#: 26782 Join Date: Oct 2002 Vehicle: 2002 WRX WR Blue	Thanks for the replies everyone. I had to drive it home from work. The car was running smooth until I got to the highway...the light even kicked off...about a mile. As soon as I started accelerating lightly on the hwy WAY bad stutter and the CEL started flashing. Stutter calmed down as soon as i stopped accelerating. Nursed it along at 55...CEL kept flashing until traffic came to a stop. Then it's weird....runs rough for a bit...then mellows out....rough...mellows out...like 30 second intervals...sometimes CEL flashes, sometimes it stays on. If I had real mechanical failures, I would expect a constant issue? Spun ALL the main bearings in a chrysler conquest when I was a kid...it's nothing like that. I don't here any noticeable knocking/crunching. And yes, amsoil changed religiously every 5k. I'm spending the day in the garage tmrw...thx for all the tips paintbing...that will definitely help out! Have monday morning appt setup at lou fusz here in st. louis if I can't figure anything out before then.

10-30-2009, 10:15 PM	#9
paintbing Scooby Specialist Member#: 59388 Join Date: Apr 2004 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Utah --> San Luis Obispo, CA Vehicle: 2003 WRX - Hybrid I do my own stunts	St. Louis... Dang, if you were near me, I'd help you. I bought all the tools and never have a reason to use them anymore.