Changed valve covers, wierd grimlins emerge >.<

[THE_ARTIST_]

ok i swapped valve covers just the way the haynes manuel says, unplugged the negative terminal, plug wires, bolts then that PCV hose at the top of the valve cover. changed all the gaskets then bolted the new valve cover back up, plugged in the spark plug wires, reinstalled the PCV hose, and connected the battery back up. i turned on the car no leaks, but it idled at 500 RPM but then went back to normal after a few seconds. so i take it out for a drive and it does fine under regular driving but when i push it a little bit the car sputters and backfires, it feals like one of the cylinders is not firing properly or not firing at all. so i checked the plug wires three or four times they are all plugged and there isnt any forign debris in between the plug and the plug wires. it still does the samething sputtering and backfiring. i dont know what the hell it is maybe that PCV hose is too far in there (anyone know what that does? its at the very top left side of the valve cover) or maybe on of the spark plug/wires has a weak connection, i had to pull kinda hard on the number 1 wire b/c its in there pretty good.

the datalogger showes that the injector duity cycle is running rich only after i push it. but sitting still and revving the engine nothing goes wrong it only sputters and backfires under load. it will do good at around 40% throttle but higher than that it sputters and the boost i have it set at (14psi) cant be met (duh). i think thats about it any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks

 

[THE_ARTIST_]

again, any help would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!

 

[97GS-TnVegas]

I had an identical problem when I took off my valve cover to paint it. More than likely, when you were pulling the plug wire boots off, you damaged the internals of the wires. Go out and buy yourself some new plug wires, and you should be all set. Do yourself a favor and buy some new NGK BPR-7es plugs to go with them. It can't hurt having new plugs, and they are dirt cheap.

 

[GTM]

...
More than likely, when you were pulling the plug wire boots off, you damaged the internals of the wires. Go out and buy yourself some new plug wires, and you should be all set. Do yourself a favor and buy some new NGK BPR-7es plugs to go with them. It can't hurt having new plugs, and they are dirt cheap.

I agree it could be plug wires may be damaged but suggesting 7's which are a colder plug when his pocket logger said it was running rich would not improve this.

It is doubtful the PCV valve would influence only the rpm range you mentioned and not idle unless you had other things going on at the same time.

Cheers,
GTM

 

[THE_ARTIST_]

i already bought some NGK spark plugs and new magnacore(sp?) wires just waiting for them to be deliverd. it really feels like its not sparking in one of the cylinders and its backfiring whenever i go above ~40%~ throttle. at WOT (say 65 mph) it will stay at 65mph and just sputter & backfire.

i looked at my rear bumper and there's some black residue on it (not a whole lot, enough to notice though)

man i really hope its the plugs/wires, im gonna be so pissed if its not.

 

[jfdid]

Can you do an intake leak test? If so, do it. You may have a bunk PCV valve. Heck, you may as well change it anyways, it's only a few dollars, that way, you know. Let us know how the wires treat you.

Does you logger have the ability to turn off one injector at a time? If so, you can narrow down the studder to one cylinder(if one's missing).

 

[THE_ARTIST_]

nah i cant turn off anything with the logger i can just record and view real-time data of wht the engine is doing (can also clear CEL's)

changed out the wires and it fixed the problem i figured it was the number 1 wire because i had a little difficulty pulling it out. thanks.

 

[GTM]

...
changed out the wires and it fixed the problem i figured it was the number 1 wire because i had a little difficulty pulling it out. thanks.

Good business, get some silicon spray and go over the boots so they don't stick.

Cheers,
GTM

 

[jfdid]

Thanks for posting a reply. Good job on the fix.