linodavid

thanks for all your suggestions... ill try them tomorrow morning... thanks again..

linodavid

THANKS to all of you, guys, I found the problem! Spark plug number 3 was flooded with water. I might have pulled the boot a while back but was not able to re-plugged tightly before I washed the car. So I cleaned that up and checked all the plugs. Plugs are in good condition. I also replaced the wires while I'm at it. I plan to replace the plugs in about 3K miles. I'm at 87k now.

I do have a couple of question, though. When I drive the car the first half mile - there is this clicking noise like somebody is playin with the fence with a stick. It goes away after driving for a while. Also, it smells like there is rubber burning under the hood. Are these normal?

Thanks again to all of you. You're a life saver.

juddz

Did you take all of the plugs out and dry out the bore? FYI, if you had side tracking on the plug once, you'll get it again (even if it is now dry). You'll see a thin black line on the outside of the insulator, a carbon trace of sorts (this is conductive). And, if you go over it with your fingernail, it will feel almost etched to you. Replace this plug and check the others. Also, your cable/ coil might have similar problems. Coat the rubber with silicone grease when you put it back together.

I'm willing to bet that the clicking noise you are hearing is electrical arcing... it could be from water penetrating your ignition system, but then again, it could be from any number of things. You did, after all, spray down a good portion of the harness, etc when you pressure washed the car.

juddz

I meant to coat the inside of the coil/ cable boots, where the plug is inserted, with silicone grease...

linodavid

I did put dielectric on the inside of the coil/cable boots. I'm going to replace all the plugs later on. If I need to, I'll replace all of them tomorrow.

I should have mentioned that I observed the clicking even before the washing incident. So this is not related to that.

However, I think the rubber burning smell probably started after the washing.

Thanks again!