Spark Plug change issues

[willbill92]

I am doing a spark plug change and when i finished and started the Voy it was running rough and the cel light was flashing. Any ideas?

Also i did get the ac delco plugs as well as a good gapper i put the gap to each plug to .045 which is the same as my old ones i also cleaned the throttle body. I just dont know what is causing these issues any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[Mike w]

Any codes? Did you plug everything back in? It could be a coil not seated properly. I see you cleaned the throttle body so that ruled out. Did you disconnect the battery?

How did you gap the plugs? They should be platinum plugs.

 

[willbill92]

i did disconnect the battery and all the coils are on right. i havent dared take it to autozone to get any codes read.


I used the gap tool from autozone

 

[Mike w]

Ok so the tool was for platinum plugs right? I'm not saying your stupid just trying to help man. The tip of platinum plugs damage easily

 

[Mike w]

Get the codes read it will help to understand the issue

 

[The_Roadie]

The proper Delco 41-103 plugs are iridium - an element (used in the coating) more precious, rare, and BRITTLE than platinum. They should come pre-gapped and not need to be touched.

Avoiding knowing what codes you have is some sort of new diagnostic technique?

Or did you mean the misfires are so bad that you don't dare drive it? In that case, man - BUY a code reader and bring it to the truck!

If your coils are seated properly on the plugs, but they caused misfires before you started the process - the coils are huge suspects. The code will help you home in on perhaps one coil so you don't end up buying six. See, there's the code reader paid for itself already!

If not plugs or coils - check for vacuum leaks and then check compression.

 

[willbill92]

I used platinum plugs on mine and i used the generic gap tool that they sell by the cashier at autozone i didnt know there was a difference.

Roadie,
I did not know that you could use iridium plugs on our trucks the stock ones were platinum. if that is the case then i may be exchanging the platinums i have for some iridiums.

I definitely intend on getting a code reader in the near future.


I didnt have a misfire until after i changed the plugs but they were due for new ones because they had well over 80k on them.

 

[willbill92]

Update: i put all of the original plugs back in the voy but i am still getting a rough idle and when i go into reverse or drive the car shakes really bad. what could cause this if i cant figure it out i have a appt with my mechanic on tuesday for other things.

 

[Wooluf1952]

Try checking the wires on the coils. They have been known to crack where they connect to the coil.

 

[willbill92]

I will check that now wooluf1952

 

[KNBlazer]

If you don't have a scanner, unplug one coil at a time for a second, plugging it back until you find the coil that does nothing to the engines idle.... Number 1 cylinder coil can be a PITA to seat properly....

 

[MAY03LT]

I've misaligned a coil more then once. Like KNBlazer said, number one always seems to give me a bad time.

 

[willbill92]

Update: I just double checked all of my coils and it would seem that i made a beginners mistake i did not move that wire loom that sits above coil #1 far enough and that was what was causing all of my issues now it runs like a top. also i did put my new plugs back in.

Thank you all for your input.

 

[KNBlazer]

that harness, what I did was break the push in fasteners with some wire cutters, thus being able to move the harness freely.... it doesn't go anywhere when the black box is fastened in...

 

[smt 59]

Having an 04 truck one of your main tools for your tool box is a code reader, they are not expensive and usually on sale for under $100.

 

[JamesL3]

Next plug change I'd go with the iridiums Roadie called out. Our trucks seem to be more tolerable to them than the platinums. They will cost more, but will save you issues in the long run. If I was you I'd check out posts before buying even the simplest parts, ie: don't get a fram oil filter, our trucks don't agree with them.

 

[willbill92]

I've been using fram filters since I bought the truck with no issues lol.

 

[JamesL3]

Just what i've heard is all. I'd rather avoid them just in case haha. "Your results may vary"

 

[dmanns67]

Just what i've heard is all. I'd rather avoid them just in case haha. "Your results may vary"

I have used a couple different brands of oil filters over the past few years, but never Fram. Was not until I joined this forum that I have read to avoid them. Since switching over to Mobil1 full synthetic oil, I have been running a Mobil1 oil filter. They are pricey at $13 from Advanced Auto though. Seen Amazon.com has them for $7.

 

[KNBlazer]

I have used a couple different brands of oil filters over the past few years, but never Fram. Was not until I joined this forum that I have read to avoid them. Since switching over to Mobil1 full synthetic oil, I have been running a Mobil1 oil filter. They are pricey at $13 from Advanced Auto though. Seen Amazon.com has them for $7.

I've used K&N oil filters on my first car since 2000 I think, maybe even sooner, so generally I continued the trend with the TB...Just untill 11k miles ago did I switch to Mobil 1 oil filters (Amazon)

 

[Blckshdw]

Here's a link to the Oil Filter Grade Sheet that may influence the Fram-phobia a bit. And the main link to the oil filter study.

Oil Filter Comparison Study