Problems when cold

TRN · #1 11-30-2006, 08:05 AM

Ok, first post on this board. Car is a 2000 Rodeo (3.2L) that belongs to my step-daughter and I will be playing mechanic.

Symptoms - after starting the car when cold it does not want to rev. The car backfires and pops and is impossible to drive. Once it warms up (10 mins) and you can get revs up to 5-6k a few times, it runs fairly well. I should mention that these symptoms came on rather suddenly. Prior to finding these forums, I changed the fuel filter, plugs (with Champions

), and used a can of Sea Foam, all to no avail.

After reading the forums I checked the intake manifold, no problem with that, then cleaned the EGR and the problem persists. I've not yet cleaned the PVC. I did notice that when I changed the plugs, that number 6? (driver side, rear plug) was very wet and discolored compared to the rest. I pulled the plug wires (one at a time) and listened for the change in engine sound and when removing 6, it sounded like all the rest.

So, any ideas? I've not yet gotten my codes read, hopefully tonight.

Thanks in advance,

surferfletch · #2 11-30-2006, 01:11 PM

Coil pack?

TRN · #3 11-30-2006, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surferfletch

Coil pack?

That's what I thought as well after seeing the plug. However, when I pull the wires while the car is running, I get a noticable decrease, as with the other coils????????

surferfletch · #4 11-30-2006, 02:13 PM

There is obviously something going on with that cylinder. Can you swap coils?

TRN · #5 11-30-2006, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surferfletch

There is obviously something going on with that cylinder. Can you swap coils?

I don't have a spare that I can replace it with to check if that is what you are asking. If I'm reading things correctly, the #6 coil differs from the other 5. I will pull the plug again tonight to see if it looks bad. I also found an electrical test section for coils in the service manual, so I'll check that as well.

TRN · #6 12-01-2006, 07:02 AM

Looks like it may have been a combination of things. First, the PCV was filthy and clogged and there was likely a short in a wire feeding the #6 coil. Rodeo ran fine this morning and I told the step-daughter to take it to school. Hopefully this will solve the problem.

surferfletch · #7 12-01-2006, 05:43 PM

Good deal. Hope you got it! Lots cheaper than replacing a coil pack!

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