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1997 Dodge Avenger

Question: After a major tune-up multi-engine cylinder misfire

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97avenger, 2.5L V6, Martinez, CA, January 19, 2011, 13:22
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 Rookie

After changing out the spark plugs, spark plug wires, rotor, distributor cap, and Plenum gasket I am getting codes of P0300, P0301, P0302, P0304 and P0305 all stating mis-firing in cylinders 1, 2, 4 and 5. Could using an after market rotor be causing this issue, as the original rotor was saw-toothed and the after market was smooth. Or could this be caused by something else?

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  • Answer #1

    ZeeTech January 19, 2011, 13:25
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     Master

    Misfire could be a result of several different problems, but could you tell us what kind of spark plugs did you use?

    Zee

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    97avenger, January 19, 2011, 13:32
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     Rookie

    NGK 7090 spark plugs and gapped them at .044.

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  • Answer #2

    mastertech6371 January 19, 2011, 13:25
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     Master

    did you push the wires all the way down till they snaped on the plugs?? i have seen that many times on wires with the long necks.
    the other thing is spark plug gaps/ did you check these? also, did you frop the plugs down in the hole for the cylinder?? did that too, many times where the gap gets closed.
    re check your work before going anywhere else.
    did you have this issue before all the work was performed.

    Roy

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    97avenger, January 19, 2011, 13:35
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     Rookie

    I did push them all the way down to hear the pop. I did gap the plugs to .044 and have rechecked them at the distributor cap and the spark plugs. I have gone over the work twice and can't find an issue. And this mis-firing happened once at a shop when they did a crank shaft position sensor replacement.

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    Visitor, January 19, 2011, 13:56

    what kind of distributor?? rebuilt ot new? tons of issues even with re bulits causing problems.

    Roy

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    97avenger, January 19, 2011, 13:59
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     Rookie

    Distributor cap was brand new.

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    Visitor, January 19, 2011, 14:02

    did you replace the distributor itself?? this is a common failure. if you did the crank sensor, then it is likely that the distributor may be at fault. oil leaks up the shaft and get into the distributor and causes all kinds of havoc with spark control.

    Roy

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    97avenger, January 19, 2011, 14:09
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     Rookie

    No only the distributor cap not the entire unit. When last checking the spark plugs I noticed an odor and moisture of fuel on the spark plug.

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    Visitor, January 19, 2011, 14:12

    when you had the cap off, did you notice anything inside the distributor??

    Roy

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    97avenger, January 19, 2011, 14:16
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     Rookie

    No nothing that I noticed. All things considered the car runs like it has no issues. The only thing is the check engine light is on and I am getting these codes. even after the tuneup.

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    Visitor, January 19, 2011, 14:19

    ok. still think you have an issue there. there only other thing i can think of is the crank sensor or possible flex plate that may be cracked causing an erratic operation. you may need to take it to a shop for a second opinion.

    Roy

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    97avenger, January 19, 2011, 14:26
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     Rookie

    Just had the crank shaft position sensor replaced at a shop and this started after they replaced it at there shop. they thought it was a one time issue because it stated a misfire once and then went away. After a week out of the shop it came back as a check engine light with multi misfire reading. They said it would need a tuneup if it came back which I did, but now it doesn't seem to have helped.

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    Visitor, January 19, 2011, 15:56

    could be a bad sensor too. i have seen bad new sensors. make sure they used a oem sensor. aftermarkets are ok but some just dont measure up.

    Roy

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  • Answer #3

    ccsmog from Contra Costa Smog and Repair, January 19, 2011, 13:38
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     Journeyman

    Check yor compression, and possible head gaskets, before spending any more money

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    97avenger, January 19, 2011, 13:46
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    What is the cost of the work you're recommending? Could this all be leading me to the timing belt needing to be replaced, which as far as I know of has never been replaced before? Just curious.

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    ccsmog, January 19, 2011, 14:27
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     Journeyman

    Compression test with leak down test will tell you weather the engine is able to fire and if not the leak down will point more specifically to the bad mechanical parts. Approximate cost $235.00

    Timing belt should be replaced @ 100,000 miles. If you need a head gasket, this would also be the time to replace the belt and maybe the water pump.

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    97avenger, January 19, 2011, 14:48
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     Rookie

    okay then what would all that cost?

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    ccsmog, January 19, 2011, 15:50
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     Journeyman

    There are too many variables to list, with-out knowing what the problem is. I will give you a quote for labor on a head gasket which would include labor on Timing Belt and water pump. This would be for both head gaskets. Parts would depend on what is needed. Do not rule out the possibility of cracked heads or block. Both gaskets labor would be$1187.00

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  • Answer #4

    Visitor, January 27, 2011, 11:37

    Have the secondary output voltage checked, maximum available voltage should be at least three times voltage used to fire the plugs at idle, This diagnosis requires having and ignition scope. These distributors have an integrated coil and I have found lots of these coils with low output. Best practice when repairing ignition systems are to use factory parts only. Also was there oil in the spark plug tubes, if so you will have to replace the valve cover gaskets.

    Good luck!

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    Visitor, February 19, 2011, 20:11

    I had the same isssue evewrything seem to be fine but light come on with the same codes. I had this happen once before and it was the fuel pump, its not putting out enough preasure sometimes. I had light reset and it drive fine no light then after some long istastance and even some short ones it reapear. I changed out the fuel pump and it has not come back on yet. if that not it the fuel regulatorremeber to change the fuel filter to. lambsgrace

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