Hey everyone. I'll try and make this an easy read
Problem:
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My 98 Sunfire GT is at about 200 000 km's and I'm pretty sure the plugs have never been replaced. It's running godawful at the moment, when you start black, stinky smoke is coming out the back and it sounds like a 20 year old firebird, and at low RPM's it idles unsteadily and the car shakes around a lot. when you hit the gas it will sometimes lag for a second making it relatively dangerous to drive.
My Situation:
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I'm not exactly a mechanic but I think I could handle changing the plugs (if that sounds like the problem). The kicker is I just spent $750 fixing my car not 3 days ago and this happened, so I don't haven any more money for the mechanic. Anyway, if anyone knows of a guide or can let me know how to do it, that'd be great. I replaced them myself on my old sunbird so I should be ok.
Disclaimer:
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I've "searched" but found vague directions about removing some engine cover.
P.S.
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Oh yeah also.. If you guys think this might be a bigger problem (or another one altrogether!) could you let me know as well!
Thanks guys & gals
- Brandon
Dooodoodoodoo dooodoo Can't touch this
You may have a bad coil but try changing the plugs first, use either stock AC delco plugs or you can use iridiums plugs are really cheap too. Remove the Valve cover thats says 2.4 Twin Cam (these is relatively easy) then remove spark boots and un-screw the plugs then replace with new ones and put back the spark boots and cover. Simple shouldnt take long at all. It's likely to be that as you mentioned black smoke your prolly missfireing on 1 or more cylindres.
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Yes officer I knew the speed limit was 50
Well if youre gonna attempt to do some work youre self, Thats a good first start. I would advise you to get a haynes repair manual for reference purposes. Well the only way we all learn how to fix our cars is by trying to get some knowledge as well. I am pretty sure you could handle doing a tune up on youre 98 Sunfire GT. Just make sure you take youre time, on things it should go really smooth. As you were saying you have black stinky smoke coming out of the exhaust? Do you have an check engine light on? You could have a fowled O2 sensor. Heres a short list you will need for a good tune up on youre car:
New spark plugs / Wires.
New air filter / Fuel filter.
Good brand of fuel Injector cleaner.
Keep us posted on youre progress
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those items are good to have when doing a tune up. but there is one problem, he has a 2.4 twin cam. he has no spark plug wires
Im a Xbox 360 fanboy...and damn proud of it!!
Well hes gotta have plug wires, How does his engine get the spark transfered to the coil packs?
Wow thanks for the fast response!
Rich weeks, the check engine light is not coming on.
And what's this about no plug wires on a 2.4? :o
Dooodoodoodoo dooodoo Can't touch this
we have boots, not wires. The coil are right on top of the plug. There is a spring in the boot that connect the coil to the plug.
I've changed my plug and I only have 78 000km on mine..
Gilles
2.3 Ho
lol.. there should be a sticky on how theres no wires in LD9..
could just be bad gas. Happened to my grandma's meurcury tracer. Lots of stuttering/misfiring.
1971 camaro 427 --- here!
Stock... and loving every minute of it.
