[ZenMGT]

HELP!!!!! - new plugs and CAI bad idle/loss of power

Just changed out the plugs for the first time to NGK VPowers.

Also put a Granatelli intake tube with K&N filter on,,,stock MAF


Fired up car,,and she almost died,,,,rev'd,,all good,,,but now there's a noticable loss in power! She feels like she is stumbling, but no check engine light!

Do I need to reset the computer or anything????

Help me quick,,gotta 600 mile drive tomorrow!

---also - I did not disconnect the battery when I did all this,,could I have messed up the maf?

 

[ZenMGT]

I double checked all connections are good.

SO - I reset the computer (I assume disconnecting the neg. side, and holding the brakes,,trying to start it,,etc... is enough right?)

So i reset the computer and she seems to be running much better now. I also tightened the CAI coupler on the throttle bottle a tad more,,might have been leaking.

So now she's running strong again,,,feels good, but still seems like something is a 'miss' here. The idle sounds a bit more lopey (i realize I should 'hear' more with just an intake tube, and no silencer),,,weird thing is my exhaust sounds louder too?

Before resetting the computer it felt like I left a COP or Inj unplugged,,but they were all there,,,I reseated everything.

Now it feels OK,,,,,maybe I'm getting used to it.

Did I reset the computer the right way?

(thanks for the help guys,,,I'm screwed if she can't make it to GA tomorrow!)

 

[ZenMGT]

I checked them and they were all within .052-.055 from the box. NGK VPower,,,forgot the number,,but it's the recommend ones (stock heat range)

STILL FREAK'N MESSED UP!

---put the stock intake tube back on - seemed to be a bit better, but still have a miss. Cruising on the hwy it's most noticable in 5th gear,,,like the car is bucking/surging. Doesn't want to 'cruise' smoothly - hold an rpm smoothly.

Accelerates just fine,,feels good.

Cruising = bucking/surging.

Idle is fine.

Seems like I can hear a VERY slight backfire from the exhaust when the rpms drop around 2krpm

Could one of the COPs not be seated correctly? (they don't really *pop* on like others I'm used to,,,,I mean I felt pressure under them,,but didn't go *pop* when pushed them down on the plugs) All are snugged correctly with their retaining screws. I didn't smell a strong smell of gas in the exhaust.

WHAT IS THIS????? So pissed I even bothered to work on her before a long trip. Damn!

Any help is appreciated. I rechecked everything I touched, and everything is there and connected.

Please help!!!!!

 

[ZenMGT]

Old plugs = Motorcraft AWSF-32PM
New Plugs = NGK TR-55's

bodie - just posted on your thread

I'm so pissed right now. It's 8pm,,,debating on running to AZ to read the codes,,then back to my shop to do it all over again. I'm sure I could bust it out in 20mins

How gap sensitive are these motors???? I didn't physically gap them myself as they all were within spec.

Is there any special way to seat the COPs? They didn't seem to pop on like I thought they should. Do they just kinda rest ontop of the plugs?

 

[ZenMGT]

Because I used a micrometer to measure them - they were all within .052-.055

Damn it....gonna run to AZ and have them read codes (no CEL is on).

 

[ZenMGT]

OK - just got to AZ - the SEL came on while driving there!

codes = 0316 and 0306

everything points to #6 cylinder. (that is the second going back on the driver side correct?)

I bought a new COP while there,,and just got to the shop. Swapping out now,,and checking plugs real quick,,,weeeee

Let me know which cylinder is #6,,,pretty sure it's the second going back on the driver side (as standing from the front)

Thanks guys,,,ya'll rock! I might still make this trip yet!!!!

 

[ZenMGT]

WOW - just found out what was ****ED UP = #6 spark plug = ZERO GAP!

WTF???? - The electrode top and bottom were touching!!! wtf? I checked all of them!

good grief. The SEL actually started blinking while over here and then went back to solid. OK,,,new plug, and new COP (cause I bought it).

--this is all in real-time by the way -----

 

[ZenMGT]

BREWSKI TIME! :drink

Thanks everyone. I've never had that happen before, and was about the last thing I would have checked. Luckily the SEL came on while I was going to AZ, so that helped greatly.

I just can't believe I missed that. I eased every one into the cylinders by hand, and got them started by hand. I must have spaced royally, and just missed it - and yes,,I did drop one,,just one,,and it must have been that one,,but it blow my frigg'n mind I missed that.

Oh swell,,live and learn,,I can swap plugs in about 10mins or less now

I left the Granatelli intake tube off,,stocker is back on. Had enough fun for tonight. Tomorrow we cruise 600 miles northward!

Thanks a million everyone, ya'll are awesome!

 

[ZenMGT]

ya'll have been rep'd indeed!

many thanks!

.....last minute packing now,,,chug'n a final brew in celebration,,and hit'n the hay.

Ya'll have a good, and SAFE holiday weekend!

 

[ZenMGT]

:llama thanks Vert and 4D!



offtopic question - my SEL was 'blinking' on my way to fix this messed up plug. What does a 'blinking' SEL mean vs. a non blinking SEL in these cars?

(it was solid,,,then started blinking,,,then when solid again all in one 4 mile trip)

Brewski #4 time!