Yet more issues. Multiple DTC's.

[Miracle]

Ok guys... this is really starting to piss me off... I can't figure it out, so I need some help. The Mustang is literally running on 5-7 cylinders right now, and I can't figure out why... so I need some expertise here.

The facts:

1. The car runs like total shit. No acceleration, the motor is not firing on all cylinders, and through the shift boot I can hear the odd exhaust note, noting that it's not firing all cylinders. Almost reminiscient of a REALLY, REALLY bad exhaust leak, but it's not an exhaust leak.
2. With the hood open, and listening to the passengers side, it doesn't sound like a vacuum leak, like a hissing noise, but an OBVIOUS miss/misfire/problem. Almost like a rattle toy being shaken.
3. P0171. System too lean.
4. P0300. Random Misfire. (This is a persistent code for me, the CEL stays on usually for some reason, and this is the code it usually throws.)

So I am really at a loss at what to do. I ran a bottle of Redline SL-1 fuel system cleaner:

Through it in the tank of fuel that is currently in the tank. Also ran some STP Octane Booster through the tank BEFORE this one. Could these have caused any issues?

Please, PLEASE, give me help if you have ANY idea what's goin on... ready to pull my hair out right now because my car is running like shit.

 

[kenneth]

When is the last time you pulled the plugs?

 

[white05gt]

I'm pretty sure octane booster is a big no no with our spark plugs, you may want to pull the plugs and look at them.

 

[Miracle]

I replaced the whole passenger side bank today, from Brisk to brand new Autolite HT0's. Still does what it did, just not AS bad, but still definately doing it.

 

[Miracle]

I'm pretty sure octane booster is a big no no with our spark plugs, you may want to pull the plugs and look at them.

Even with the traditional style Brisks?

 

[navbtcret]

Try to narrow it down to which cylinder or cylinders are not firing. Have the car idling and disconnect to connector on each COP one at a time and see if your idle changes. If it does no then that cylinder is not firing properly.

Also fuel system cleanier is not good for these cars especialy if you are boosted. I hope you did not get into boost much after you added it. I know of one motor that got nuked with boost after fuel system cleaner added was added.

 

[Miracle]

Try to narrow it down to which cylinder or cylinders are not firing. Have the car idling and disconnect to connector on each COP one at a time and see if your idle changes. If it does no then that cylinder is not firing properly.

Also fuel system cleanier is not good for these cars especialy if you are boosted. I hope you did not get into boost much after you added it.

Did the unplug thing on the COP's, and each cylinder gave a reaction, but #2 AND #3 were a little less reactive than #1 and #4 were... Do you think that narrowed it down?

And I'm always in boost. But seriously, I hit boost daily, but not EVERYWHERE I go.

 

[Miracle]

Let's see if this works... The video starts out above the front of the pass. valve cover, and moves down in between the KB intake tube and right above the coils.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBGcbKGeduo

 

[Tom]

I have the same dam issue right now. Is it very cold where you are. Ive noticed it happens worse at night for me. Ive put it on the dyno 2 times this week. Changed plugs 3 times in the last week, and change the COP's. Im getting really irritated with this. I even called Jim JR and we both came up with a blank. Were thinking its a burnt or hurt valve. But honestly I have no clue so im gonna pull the motor

 

[marcspaz]

Fuel additive is a big no-no. Pull the plugs and lets see some pics. I am guessing they are either covered in black or orange soot. If you really are to lean, to the point where you get misfire, the plugs will look like part of it melted a little.

 

[Miracle]

Fuel additive is a big no-no. Pull the plugs and lets see some pics. I am guessing they are either covered in black or orange soot. If you really are to lean, to the point where you get misfire, the plugs will look like part of it melted a little.

The one I pulled out of #3, had a little orange on it, as well as a little black.

Any ideas off of that?

 

[Miracle]

I have the same dam issue right now. Is it very cold where you are. Ive noticed it happens worse at night for me. Ive put it on the dyno 2 times this week. Changed plugs 3 times in the last week, and change the COP's. Im getting really irritated with this. I even called Jim JR and we both came up with a blank. Were thinking its a burnt or hurt valve. But honestly I have no clue so im gonna pull the motor

What if it IS a burnt valve? What happens then?

 

[Maverick]

I'm thinkin you messed up the plugs with the octane booster. those things are a def. NO NO on our cars!

 

[Tom]

What if it IS a burnt valve? What happens then?

I really dont think you have a burnt valve, but Im reffering to a part in the heads.

Like I said. Im having the same issue. Ive changes the plugs and the COP's and I even retuned the car. I cant seem to stop it, so im leaning towards the head. It really irritating

 

[Tom]

What worries me in your case is the system to lean. That needs to be addressed because if your running to lean that can cause plug issues and eventually valve and possibly other issues. How long have you been getting that code?

 

[marcspaz]

The one I pulled out of #3, had a little orange on it, as well as a little black.

Any ideas off of that?

Yes, this is what I think...

The black is excessive unburnt fuel. The fuel shorts the plug below 10 ohms, then the spark travels along the plug skin instead of through the gap points, basicly snowballing the problem.

The orange color (either slightly yellow or rusty) shows that the octane booster you used has lead in it or it was oxygenated with ethanol. Lead sucks no matter what. Oxygenated is CARB legal, but if you are not constantly at 13:1 compression or higher all the time, the motor can't create enough heat to completely burn the fuel.

You need to drain and replace the bad fuel in your tank and lines first. Your plugs are in need of replacement. You may also need to replace your O2 sensors. They probably look like the plugs, which will give you a bad reading. Probably the souce of the "lean" warning. Since the computer thinks you are not getting enough fuel due to the o2 sensors basicly being cutoff from the stream because of the gunk, the computer just keeps dumping more gas into the motor to make-up for it.

Try cleaning the o2 sensors with brake clean. If you can get the film off them with the cleaner and a rag, you may not have to get new ones.

After you do the fuel, plugs, and o2 sensors, and before you try to start the car again:

clear the codes
reflash your computer with your current tune
then disconnect the battery for about 15 minutes

This will clear all of the bad, learned infomation out of the short term fuel trim tables.

Hopefully you didn't break anything... Good luck.

 

[Miracle]

Ok... new code after replacing the other plugs in the motor... all 8 cylinders have new HT0's.

P0401 Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Insufficient Detected

WTF?

 

[Tom]

Ok... new code after replacing the other plugs in the motor... all 8 cylinders have new HT0's.

P0401 Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Insufficient Detected

WTF?

Weird.

Who is tuning your car??? Is it a custom tune or a canned tune???
Im interested in this now.

 

[marcspaz]

Ok... new code after replacing the other plugs in the motor... all 8 cylinders have new HT0's.

P0401 Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Insufficient Detected

WTF?

Read my post. clean your o2's an shit can that tank of fuel if it still has additives in it...

 

[Miracle]

Weird.

Who is tuning your car??? Is it a custom tune or a canned tune???
Im interested in this now.

Canned KB tune from Mike. No other tune has ever been on the car. Been WANTING to get it tuned, just haven't found anybody I wanna let get into it.

Read my post. clean your o2's an shit can that tank of fuel if it still has additives in it...

Will do that tomorrow when I can get it on a lift, and get the O2's out of there. I ran the rest of the fuel that was IN IT, with the Redline additive, down until the gas light came on, and filled it up to a half tank tonight on the way home from work.

Any chance this will "push itself" out of the system? After/without cleaning out the O2's?