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misfire in cylinder 2


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stadji
User

Aug 8, 2012, 7:14 AM

Post #1 of 17 (3028 views)
post icon misfire in cylinder 2 Sign In

Hi ive just joined this forum so my apologies if ive posted this in the wrong section. I own a 1.4 litre vw polo 03 reg with dohc. it has done 125,000miles. About 2 years ago it began misfiring in cylinder 2. Initially the misfire only occured when the engine was under strain (high gear up a hill) but later it was there perminantly and the car couldnt go over 65mph. I changed all 4 ignition coils and spark plugs and this solved the problem however it cost me about £120. it started doing the same thing again 2 weeks ago but stopped when i changed the spark plug in cylinder 2. however its done about 300 miles since then and its started again, same cylinder. unfortunately i cant post a photo of the spark plug at the moment as ive just put it back together again cause i need to use it today. It due for an MOT on 15th aswell. I was wondering if anyone could help me with what the underlying problem might be. I was thinking that maybe cylinder 2 could be burning oil or the computer needs resetting or a problem with the wiring. id be grateful for any advice and help from anyone, thanks Smile


Hammer Time
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Aug 8, 2012, 8:23 AM

Post #2 of 17 (3000 views)
Re: misfire in cylinder 2 Sign In

Check codes to determine which cylinder it is. You may have another bad coil.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



stadji
User

Aug 8, 2012, 9:12 AM

Post #3 of 17 (2990 views)
Re: misfire in cylinder 2 Sign In


In Reply To
Check codes to determine which cylinder it is. You may have another bad coil.


yh i checked the error codes and it says its a misfire in cylinder 2 again. ill buy a new coil now and pray it passes the MOT. thanks


stadji
User

Aug 8, 2012, 9:20 AM

Post #4 of 17 (2985 views)
Re: misfire in cylinder 2 Sign In

Also is it worth getting an expensive coil from a known brand like Bosch or does it not make much difference?


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Aug 8, 2012, 9:53 AM

Post #5 of 17 (2976 views)
Re: misfire in cylinder 2 Sign In

I think you already know the answer to that question. You're already replacing one.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



stadji
User

Aug 8, 2012, 10:10 AM

Post #6 of 17 (2964 views)
Re: misfire in cylinder 2 Sign In

fair enough


Discretesignals
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Aug 8, 2012, 3:53 PM

Post #7 of 17 (2955 views)
Re: misfire in cylinder 2 Sign In

Is the spark plug being fouled by something? If you have oil leaking from tube seals getting in the spark plug well, that can make the coil boots swell up. Then spark starts finding its way to ground other than through the spark plug. If you have oil down in the spark plug wells, you need to replace the valve cover gasket and tube seals.





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stadji
User

Aug 14, 2012, 8:30 AM

Post #8 of 17 (2927 views)
Re: misfire in cylinder 2 Sign In

i replaced the spark plugs and 1 coil and the problem seemed to have fixed itself. I didnt spot any oil in the spark plug well. However its just failed an MOT on emissions. I think the misfiring could've damaged the catalytic converter or something any ideas?


Tom Greenleaf
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Aug 14, 2012, 8:46 AM

Post #9 of 17 (2920 views)
Re: misfire in cylinder 2 Sign In

If now just recently running properly it might take a while or good longer highway run to clean up what it can to a point for emissions test to be its best. Do MOT test give you the results? May help in what to do to make it pass?

T



stadji
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Aug 14, 2012, 9:26 AM

Post #10 of 17 (2907 views)
Re: misfire in cylinder 2 Sign In


In Reply To
If now just recently running properly it might take a while or good longer highway run to clean up what it can to a point for emissions test to be its best. Do MOT test give you the results? May help in what to do to make it pass?

T


thanks tom i had'nt thought about that. i only changed the spark plugs the day before MOT so it could be that. Also ive got a photo of the results but im a bit slow when it comes to computers so i dont know how to attach it to the thread


Tom Greenleaf
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Aug 14, 2012, 10:05 AM

Post #11 of 17 (2902 views)
Re: misfire in cylinder 2 Sign In

For photos just try putting it on another site for pictures like PhotoBucket or another and we'll allow link to you own pictures.

If converter and O2 sensors are covered with crap they might clean up with the heat of a good run getting real hot burning off carbon build up to a point.

Here (would be a lot different likely) the tests will fail if a code is pending or not showing enough cycles that all is good OR recently reset. We harp on folks to hurry to fix an engine that isn't running well to prevent more troubles than what caused the problem to begin with and this is no exception.

Exactly here for marginal emissions out of range you will get a grace period to fix it. Safety issues you really can't drive it home legally!

T



stadji
User

Aug 14, 2012, 11:05 AM

Post #12 of 17 (2895 views)
Re: misfire in cylinder 2 Sign In

http://s1051.photobucket.com/albums/s429/stadji/?action=view&current=b73f73db.jpg


sorry for the delay, i hope this link works


stadji
User

Aug 14, 2012, 11:09 AM

Post #13 of 17 (2894 views)
Re: misfire in cylinder 2 Sign In

they give me a discount retest if i bring it back within 7 days so ill let the engine run for a bit and see, is there any particular rev range i should keep it at?


Tom Greenleaf
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Aug 14, 2012, 11:40 AM

Post #14 of 17 (2884 views)
Re: misfire in cylinder 2 Sign In


See if that will show direct now?

OK: HC = Hydro Carbons unburned and CO = the monoxide which do go together or sometimes CO will drop when fully warmed up at your test. Not quite sure what the "fast idle" test was all about but probably just that it could stay in spec at a raised idle.

7 Days isn't very gracefulMad -- Hard to say but if this was just after it was running properly when fixed it was too soon. You need to give it a work out right before going in. If any check engine lights are on they should go out if all is well after several cycles of behaving from cold to warm ups.

Not sure what your system is with a discount on retest or how much it is to begin with. If a second fail means don't use the car I wouldn't know that.

Your call now based on how well it is running - nice and smooth, no erratic idle, no dash warnings I'd try again,

T



stadji
User

Aug 14, 2012, 12:02 PM

Post #15 of 17 (2877 views)
Re: misfire in cylinder 2 Sign In

thanks for clearing that up Tom, no engine lights are coming up and there are no error codes so ill drive it a bit this week and ill fully warm the engine up before dropping it off at the MOT centre again.


Discretesignals
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Aug 14, 2012, 4:07 PM

Post #16 of 17 (2864 views)
Re: misfire in cylinder 2 Sign In

I agree, take it for a long road trip on the highway. Also change the oil.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


stadji
User

Sep 2, 2012, 5:13 AM

Post #17 of 17 (2768 views)
Re: misfire in cylinder 2 Sign In

right i took it for an MOT at the garage at the official VW dealer last week and it failed on emissions as it did before and lots of other stuff including the handbrake, front nearside coil spring and mounting, the front nearside shock absorber. i changed the oil and filter before the mot and drove it for a good 3 hours on the motorway. im wondering what the next step should be cause i really dont want to have to scrap it cause i love the car. ive never changed a catalytic converter before and im wondering if its a difficult job which is worth paying for. the rest of the labour ive done before and i can manage again. also im wondering if the emissions failure could be due to anything else other than the cat. there is no misfiring and no fault codes. id be grateful for advice thanks.Smile






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