96 Corolla Engine Lite

[famlycar]

This past weekend I was driving on the freeway at 70mph and I had to quickly slow down to about 30 and then the engine lite came on. I kept driving for 300 miles with no problems.

Yesterday, I went to Autozone for their free test and I got only one reading saying code PO301 cylinder one missfire.

Anyone know what I have to do to correct this?

[usamarshal]

Could be a number of things...may be running lean, maybe an oxygen sensor, etc... Whens the last time you had a tune up and new plugs/wires? Also, try getting some Seafoam...its a really good cleaner for the fuel system...gets rid of all the carbon buildup.

[famlycar]

I changed my oxygen sensor a year ago when the engine lite first came on and it never came on again until now; I had a tune up in August 2005 but when I checked the plugs they looked like they were brand new??, not dirty at all and no deposits; the plug wires are the original ones as far as I know when I bought the car in 2000 so I'll replace these and get back to you. As far as the sea foam, I read somewhere (maybe on this forum) that Chevron's techron gas is just as good for your engine, right?

Thanks a lot for your advice!

[famlycar]

OK, I bought new plug wires (originals from Toyota) but they are sooo... expensive!! Anyway, after I replaced them the car starts better (faster) now and so far the engine lite didn't come back on. I'll give it a wait and see period of a few drives of course.

Can you tell me what sea foam looks like and where to purchase it? use it? I may give it a try anyway since it works so good as you say.

Thanks

[famlycar]

OK, so far the engine lite hasn't come back on as last time it came back on only a day after I reconnected the negative battery cable. So I think it was the plug wires afterall.

I asked the Toyota dealer auto parts about seafoam and one guy said it was something they put in seat cushions and another guy said he never heard of it when I tried to explain to him more. Is it a liquid that is put in the gas tank? Or what?

Thanks much!

[usamarshal]

Originally Posted by famlycar

OK, so far the engine lite hasn't come back on as last time it came back on only a day after I reconnected the negative battery cable. So I think it was the plug wires afterall.

I asked the Toyota dealer auto parts about seafoam and one guy said it was something they put in seat cushions and another guy said he never heard of it when I tried to explain to him more. Is it a liquid that is put in the gas tank? Or what?

Thanks much!

Yeah, plug wires are funky like that...seafoam is a gas tank additive that cleans out the carbon in your plugs, cylinders, etc... Heres a link:

http://www.seafoamsales.com/

Just follow the directions and you'll be good.

[rockwood84]

walmart sells seafoam in automotive section