Hello

I own a 2001 966 cab and I just replaced the expansion tank as it was leaking. After I finished replacing the tank, I started the car and the engine ran very rough. I hooked up a code reader and Igot four codes P0300which is general engine random misfire and P0301,P0303and P0305which donate misfire in cylinders 1, 3 and 5. Does anyone know what is happening? The car was not running for a few months during the winter.

Thanks

Dave W

 

Bad gas possibly? When was the last time the spark plugs were done? Hard to believe that many coil packs would go bad at once, but I could see spark plugs being an issue.

 

I filled the car up with Chevron 94 octane and added some stabilizer before storing it. I just bought some new plugs from the dealership (cost a small fortune)when Ipurchased the expansion tank butI haven't installed them yet. I was going to install the plugs but when I lossened the allen head screws on one plug wire and started to remove it, it seemed that the wire's rubber boot wouldhit the exhaust before it was free of the spark plug. Not really sure of what I was doing, I decided to get some more info before getting into trouble.

Is it O.K. to bend the rubber boot to provide the clearance to remove the wire or is there something I am missing? I am not usually such a chicken but these cars are so expensive to fix, I don't want to damage anything while I try to fix something else. The expansion tank was not to bad a job even though Ihad to lower the engine to remove it.

Any info on the plugs (installation,tourque?)and the coils you are talking about would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Dave W

 

You should remove the wire before you ever remove the allen bolts. Push the boot back and carefully unclip the electrical connector. if you break the retaining clip, you will have constant misfires. Once the electrical connector is off, then remove the allens and pull out the coil packs. The ends are rubber and will flex a little as needed to remove them.

 

Thanks Doc. I will try to replace the plugs next weekend. I will let you know howif it solves the misfire problem. One more question if you don't mind.Can you provide info on how to change the sepentinebelt? Is there an idler pully?

Thanks again

Dave W

 

Yes, there is a spring loaded pulley. There are 2 black roller pulleys next to each other, and one has IIRC a 15mm bolt (not on the pulley itself, but on a little arm) that you can put the ratchet on and take the tension off the pulley while you remove and install the belt.

 

Doc

I just finished replacing the plugs (what a job) and the serpentine belt. The car seems to run a lot smoother but I still get the codes. Do they have to be reset manually? Thanks for your advise on the plugs and the belt. If you ever get up to Vancouver, B.C. I will splurge for some beers.

Thanks again

Dave W

 

The codes need to be reset with an OBDII tool, they won't just go away on their own. Clear them, drive it a couple times, and then reread the codes down (even if the CEL isn't on), to make sure they aren't pending, etc.