engine stumbling - got codes - *Solved*

[nathaluc]

Weather got down to -20F last week, SHO wouldn't start, had to boost, however hood latch was near impossible to open, probably stuck in old frozen grease, finally got it but broke the latch trying to close it back. SHO sat outside for a few days with the hood not completely shut, snow got on top of every engine part. I got it in the heated garage, replaced the hood latch & cable and let everything melt & dry for two days. Started fine in the morning, got to work, parked outside in ±5F weather all day and stumbling began in the afternoon when I started the car to get back home. It really felt like the car was running on 5 cylinders.

Ran the codes and got the following:

KOEO = 114
Stored = 528 & 542
KOER = 114 & 136 (1st time)
KOER = 114 only (2nd time after better warm-up)
Cylinder balance = 20

#114: outside temp was 5F (<50F) so that's OK
#528: ETAC was OFF so that would be clutch switch ?
#542: some posts say to forget this one about the fuel pump secondary circuit ?
#136: got it once, probably overdue for O2 sensors at 92K but should not cause stumbling problem like I experienced

My guess based on the cylinder balance test is that melting snow got down in #2 plug well and is causing misfire, however why did it run fine in the morning ? I haven't had time to check tonight and the #2 cylinder is the worst to access unfortunately.

Any input will be appreciated.

FYI, I have done a complete 60K at around 75K including Motorcraft plugs & wires, valve lash, timing belt, CPS, water pump, valve cover & plug well gaskets, etc. I've had the SHO for 12 years and know it pretty well, it ran fine until this...

<small>[ February 19, 2004, 12:19 PM: Message edited by: nathaluc ]</small>

 

[AutoSHO]

I think your guess of water in the plug well is correct.

Try cleaning them all out. I think that will fix it.

 

[SHO_Driver]

Yep its a pain to get at those back plugs but it helps to remove things in the way like the secondary canister and that plastic box bolted on the firewall. At least you can leave the intake in place.

After my SHO didn't start from bad gas I found all the plugs were fouled. Cleaned 'em up with no problems now.

 

[nathaluc]

Well, I checked all plugs & wires, half a drop of oil in plug well #2 which I cleaned but it didn't solve the problem, still #2 weak on cylinder balance test and still stumbling. I listened to injectors and sure enough, can't hear #2 clicking.

- can it be effective to do a pro clean job through the injector rail valve ? Has it worked for someone in the past ?
- can I replace only one injector or do I have to replace all of them at the same time ? I read someone had them rebuilt at low cost ?
- I will first check for electrical signal at injector considering moisture got to the engine recently...
- is there any harm done in driving 200-300 miles with a defective injector ? I really need the car and can't do the job for at least a week...
- I read about the NOID light on other posts, I suppose this is meant to be plugged in parallel on the wire side of the connector while the injector is running ?

<small>[ January 22, 2004, 08:15 AM: Message edited by: nathaluc ]</small>

 

[nathaluc]

Replaced all six injectors with a used set and the problem is fixed...