Misfire after warming up

Tiny
DARIO DELEON
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 LEXUS IS 300
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 190,000 MILES
Hello,

So, it all started with a general misfire. I replaced spark plugs and wires and the car ran great for about a week. Then car started to have trouble at low idle and would shut off out of nowhere at stops and started to idle rough along with misfire coming back not as bad as before the new plugs. So after researching what it could be I decided to replace the VVTI solenoid and clean out its filter and it is running better. But now car will cold start and run great but when it gets up to operating temperature and the RPM's drop it starts to idle rough. I have hooked it up to a scanner and it looks like cylinder 2 and 4 are the cylinders misfiring and sometimes 1 will join the party but it’s random. I’m tired of just shooting into the dark and spending money on parts I might not need. Also I did a real deep clean on my throttle body but it did nothing. Any help would be much appreciated thank you!
Monday, December 28th, 2020 AT 11:45 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

If it ran well after the plugs and wires and then started again, it almost leads me to believe there could be a fuel pressure-related issue or an issue with the coolant temperature sensor.

Let's try a simple test. I want you to switch ignition coils 2 and 4 with 3 and 6. Let's see if the misfire changes cylinders.

Next, based on the idle issue, there could be a vacuum leak. Here is a link that shows how to check for one:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

Since you noted the specific cylinders that are the issue, that leads me to believe you have a scan tool. Please let me know all of the codes that were found. Also, if your scanner can read live data, let me know what the short term fuel trims are. That can answer a lot of questions.

I will watch for your reply.

Take care,
Joe

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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 12:25 AM
Tiny
DARIO DELEON
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you for all the info I’ll definitely swap the coils around to see if that moves the misfire. Along with the other troubleshooting you recommended. I’m borrowing my neighbor's scanner and it’s super simple so I don’t know if I can get the above info but I’ll check as soon as I get home from work. I will note down the codes I currently have.

Codes
P0300
P0302
P0304
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 2:21 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

Okay, the codes you have are very specific. Cylinders 2 and 4 are the issue and there is a random misfire. Let me know if you can check the live data. This could be a fuel related issue, a crankshaft position sensor issue, and the list goes on. However, let's keep our fingers crossed that it is a coil and the misfire changes cylinders when you switch them.

I will watch for your reply.

Take care,
Joe
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 10:51 PM
Tiny
DARIO DELEON
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hello back with good news! I finally was able to get to the car today and was planning on switching the coils around. While taking the coils out I noticed 2 things that the boot of the coil packs were filthy and a little wet so I deep cleaned all of them. I didn’t see any oil around the spark plugs so I’m not sure where it came from. Also I noticed that I had the spark plug wires out of order. They come in packs of 3 and I thought 2 were the same length but I was wrong. So I switched them to the way they were so posed to be. Got it all back together and it’s running great. Took it out for a good drive and no misfire or codes. I’m hoping I solved the issue but I will reply if it starts up again! Thank you for all the advice!
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Friday, January 1st, 2021 AT 6:28 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi,

Great to hear it's fixed. Honestly, it isn't hard to mix up the wires. LOL Regardless, It's good to hear it's running properly again.

Please feel free to come back anytime in the future. You are always welcome.

Take care,
Joe
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Friday, January 1st, 2021 AT 11:54 PM

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