TtamNedlog

My Servine Engine light came on, and after a week or so with it on, I noticed some jerky uphill acceleration and I took my camaro to Advance Autoparts so they could do a diagnostic. It said "Cylinder 3 misfire" and the guy said that means I needed to change my spark plugs. I looked into that, and from what I could see and what I've heard, it's INSANELY hard to do. I figured I'd just have it done.

Calling around, Big 10 Tires seemed to be the most reasonably priced so I bought some Champion double platinum spark plugs from Advance and took them to Big 10 to have them put on.

My light is still on, and now the jerky acceleration seems more apparent than before. I have 71k miles on my car, so the spark plugs needed changing anyway.

Is the jerky acceleration being caused by something else? Or are the spark plugs I bought perhaps craptacular?

Ideas?

ghardester

Did you have the wires changed too?.

TtamNedlog

No, my dad said you can spray water on the wires individually to see if the engine bogs down or whatever, as a means of testing the wires. He said they were fine. Guess it's possible that isn't foolproof.



EDIT: Also, I noticed the booklet says that the SES light should blink to indicate a misfire. But mine has been nothing but solid.

2001NBMZ28

I'd get the code(s) read again. Was it originally P0303 for that cyl or the P0300 random misfire code? Make sure all the plug wires are on tight too.

ghardester

It's just one of those things that I would do when tuning up. And also do the other simple tune up things like fuel filter. Maybe Seafoam.

If the Camaro is LS1 the wires might not be bad. I used to have problems with the wires on my V-6's cause they are longer. One time a short in a wire blew a coil. A code for individual mis-fire on a cylinder for any car is usually plug, wire or coil.

TtamNedlog

Yeah mine's a V6 heh >_<. I'll try the fuel filter change. Where is that located?

ghardester

The fuel filter is under the car on the drivers side behind the rear wheel. Either jack up and support the rear or I back up on ramps. Need a wrench on one end and the other has a click on connection. Probably get instructions with a search here. It's simple, after you do it once. You will get gas on you. But you need to get familiar with changing it and do it every year. And since you have a V-6, you can't always tell if the wires are good. I had trouble with the ones on my '97 and on the '01. Both V-6's. I would seriously re-look at that as the cause. And if it is you may also have blown a coil.

Shinigami2x4

A spark plug change on a Sixer isnt bad, takes about 2 hours and some patience. Should change the wires/plugs and cap and then lead from their.

ghardester

If you have the 3800 Series II V-6 there is no cap to change. There is a coil pack of 3 coils that the wires go into. Changing plugs on the V-6 is fairly easy, not like the LS1.

Shinigami2x4

I heard the LS1 is a monster to change (going to attempt it soon), but i changed my camaro's 3800 in a matter of hours with like 15-20 min breaks off and on due to other issues non-car related that happend.

3.4camaro

iTrader: (1)

plug change is 1.5 hours on an ls1 if you know what to remove.

on the passenger side you remove the AIR tube from the manifold and take off the coil packs, and its alot easier.

ghardester

Changing the plugs on an LS1 is kinda like sex. The first time is a little clumsy and you're not sure where to put your hands. The next time goes much faster and it's just a matter of procedure and clean up.