Soldier Gets run around ### HELP

[93GSX4me]

Ok I have a few ideas but I hate suggest anything to my friend because he's already had the run around from some local shops.... Can you guys help me out . I got a fellow soldier with a DSM on Ft. Lewis thats having issues , here's his message to me :

Well it started with the sputtering and hesitation so i ordered a fuel pump through that site you gave me and took it to a mechanic and he tested it and said that the pressure was good and that it was my spark plug wires so i replaced them and it was still acting up to i went back to that same guy (C&C Japanese Auto Repair) and he said it was my exhaust manifold and so i had it replaced and still problem persisted So once again i went back to him cause he was giving free diagnostics since it wasn't fixed, this time he said it was the air flow meter so i bought one and replaced it! Same shit so i figured this guys was just makin shit up so i went to firestone where they said it was my catalytic converter so i replaced it! Now having spent about 600 dollars and not a damn thing solved firestone says they can't help me! Now it is sputtering and hesitating so bad that i don't even know if i can get it to bridgport to the mechanic and the mitsubishi dealershi, when i stop i can smell lots of unburned fuel and it runs better when the air flow meter is unhooked, when it is unhooked, the boost meter reads that it is pushing max boost when im only at 2000 rpm. Then when ive driven it for anymore than five minutes, when i push in the clutch it drops in rpms so low that it usually dies! I have an 02 sensor but i havnt put it in cause if i do I can't return it if its not the problem, should i try anyways even though firestone says they tested it?
I was just wondering if you had any quick fix ideas that would help me to get it down I-5 to the mechanic. Your help is more appreciated than you know!
Thank you

Thx guys , I really want to help him figure this out and get him back on the road ...

 

[gst25401]

Did your friend change his plugs when he changed the wires?

 

[romeen]

You will get more responses if you post this in the new member forum. But I'm not sure of the guidelines since the car in question is not yours. You may want to look into that. If I knew more about the car it would be easier to help, i.e. what fuel mods if any, what year, any CEL, etc.
A large boost leak can cause problems like that and may be a good place to start.
If you search 02 sensor you can find how to test it yourself. But although a bad sensor will cause poor mileage and some driveability issues I don't think it would be to the level that you're describing.
So things to look at would be:
--boost leak
--test ignition coil
--timing
--compression test
--consider ECU if it is a 1G
--excessive fuel pressure

Those are just places to start, not necessarily a complete list.

 

[1GawdJunkie]

Maybe check sprark plugs(replace them with NGK) and check to make sure they are gapped properly. A failing O2 sensor can cause similar symptoms.

Good Luck, hope he finds the problem without wasting to much money.

 

[BigRand]

Just curious....is your recirc on the BOV attached still. Sputtering can also be a timing issue so you need to make sure everything is alighned correctly.

Gap spark plugs at .30mm

Also if his car sounds like a subaru, then it could be his coil pack isn't providing spark to one cylinder. he needs to pull one spark plug at a time and listen for a change in the exhaust note, if there isn't a change then that cylinder probably isn't getting any spark. (BE ADVISED, DO AT YOUR OWN RISK, YOU CAN GET SHOCKED).

Also If you want, go to AL's Auto concepts (the body shop) at the south end of the base, ask him where his son's shop is at in Olympia (Pacific Auto Concepts), Tell em Randy with the white eclipse sent ya, and they should help you out depending on how busy they are.

 

[n55long]

randy, you have all the hook ups huh?

 

[93GSX4me]

I hate that body shop on post , he's such a rip off, I dont think I'd trust anyone he's associated with either...

 

[audioextreme]

if this is not fixed yet. I would gladly come look at it. I live close. In lakewood actually. Just not sure if I can get on the base. So he would probably have to drive it out.

 

[dsmfreak20]

check the coilpack. my car was sputtering and almost undriveable, so i looked under the hood and viola, the wires were frayed and i could see my coilpack arcing. havent had a problem since i fixed it.
good luck james