230GE Misfire
My 230GE developed a slight misfire when idling a week or so ago so i decided to change the spark plugs hoping that this would cure the problem.
Since changing them however, the misfire has become a lot worse and is now present throughout the lower rev ranges whereas it was only present when idling previously.
The spark plugs that i used were the correct model and were gapped correctly and tightened to the correct torque.
Could anybody shed some light as to what might be the problem and why the misfore has got worse with the new plugs fitted? Should i look into replacing the ignition leads next?
Any advice would be appreciated.
distributor cap / rotor arm might need attention...
Ok, how do i go about doing this please? What should i be looking for? Will the ignition need re-timing? Should i try replacing the leads aswell?
Thanks
Hi with the leads in place remove the distributor cap and inspect for corrosion inside on the brass contacts also worn carbon centre electrode and corrosion on the brass edge of the rotor arm......also check the ends of the leads in the cap ONE at a time then the lead to the coil at both ends. clean until shiny..badly pitted buy new (ask for 230E M 102 parts from GSF parts supplier near you....
Thanks for that. Just to check, if i remove the distributor cap will i need to re-time the ignition or is this only needed when replacing the rotor arm?
Cheers
Don't worry - you won't need to re time the ignition unless you remove the distributor body itself.
Ok, so i've taken the distributor cap off and found the following:
The centre electrode in the cap appears to have a very small chip on one of its edges.
The upper part of the brass contacts are clean and shiny but the lower sections are dark and appear to have some pitting.
All contacts on the leads appear ok at the cap end but seem to be duller at the plug end.
The brass edge of the rotor arm is slightly dull in some places but good on the whole.
So the question is, what to do next? Replace the leads and cap and see if that does the trick? Does anyone have any idea why changing the plugs has made the problem worse?
Thanks
Hi Did you use the same type/make/part number plugs? if the ignition leads are decayed (crisp and brittle) pulling them about could have enhanced the problem. since you appear to have little knowledge of what to look for probably a simple solution is to fit a new cap rotor arm and leads....be very aware that if you do not put the new leads in to the cap in the correct firing order the engine wiil not run at all..and number rotation should be marked on the new cap. a simple process is to fit the old leadcap ends into the new cap in rotation one at a time. now you have to change one new lead for the corresponding old lead in rotation... take cable ! from plug one and so on you can change the leads with the new cap fitted back on the distributor head.the final new lead is to the ignition coil and should present no problem changing it...
Hi there is another more sinister cause of a misfire and that is water!! if when your engine starts from cold it runs very rough and you appear to be topping up with water frequently then your misfire may not be faulty ignition..call me on 028 87 767709.... perhaps I can help you diagnose the problem.......
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Forgot to mention that you have to crank the engine for quite a while to get it to fire from cold. Always starts though and when warm it starts instantly.