My 2001 Lexus RX300 idels rough & has 169k mi and just today we changed the plugs and coils on it. When we started it up it rans smooth and accelerated smooth like a new car again then took it for a lap around the subdivision and pulled into the driveway and the check engine came back on then it started flashing then it went solid again. Code b4 the plugs and coils said bank 1 misfire but the coil was still good but to be safe we replaced all 6 plugs and all 6 coils and havent pulled the codes yet because everywhere is closed on Sat. night and running short of ideas of what it could still be. I did notice a foul smell when idling when we returned to the driveway but then it went away. Please help Lexus mechanics we dont have money to be guesssing anymore:(
What seems to make the problem better or worse? Cold
How long have you had this problem? 2 weeks
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Hello,
The foul (rotten egg) smell is from gasoline pumping through the engine and straight to the exhaust pipe. When the engine misfires, the gas is not burned, so the catalytic converter burns it. It smells terrible.
Blinking check engine light is misfiring. It is linked directly to the foul smell.
Changing the coils is great, but retrace your steps to ensure everything was done properly.
Did you use dielectric grease between the coils and the spark plugs, did you check the gap on the spark plugs, and did you ensure the connectors for the ignition coils were all clean and tight?
When you have the codes read, post them here so I can advise on next steps. (other than ensuring everything was done correctly).
Also, make sure the spark plugs were tightened properly. They should not be extremely tight, but should not be loose either. Just tight enough to stay and seal.
Last thing for now, make sure the coil packs didn't back off of the spark plugs during the drive.
