Caleb Hughes
Probationary Member
- 8
- 2
- Aug 25, 2020
-
Strathmore,
AB_Canada
Hello there,
I’ve come to this forum seeking some advice with my 1990 Laser, non-turbo. She has the 4G37 1.8l stock engine, and I’ve come across what I think is a bad misfire. I’m somewhat self-taught, have worked in automotive for about six years total with plenty of hands-on experience, however no legitimate technician certifications. Here’s the run-down:
Purchased the car as a project/fixer-upper, from the get-go the vehicle has had idle/firing issues. Initial diagnostics with a journeyman friend of mine pointed me in the direction of a misfire, tested via pulling of the injector wires with engine running to attempt isolation of a particular cylinder. From passenger to driver, pulling the wires on far left and far right caused engine to die. Pulling the inner two caused no change. Started with replacement of plugs and wires, which caused no change. Replaced the inner two injectors (assumed to be bad) and still no change.
During this time, I simply have been trying to get the car to drive-able condition, I had plans to eventually swap a 4G63 turbo in when it became affordable. Further diagnostics would point me towards compression testing, however I’m somewhat certain the issue could be bad compression already. The motor does appear to have some coolant spillage along the passenger side of motor, indicated by a white film build-up, however monitoring coolant levels I have seen no drop either in the overflow reservoir or the radiator itself. Previous owner stated they had changed the thermostat, so perhaps just a mess left behind from that install?
Looking to start this thread and discuss my possible options. Thank you for reading and I hope to hear back soon, I love the look of this little car and would be sad to see it have to pass from my hands to the junker!
I’ve come to this forum seeking some advice with my 1990 Laser, non-turbo. She has the 4G37 1.8l stock engine, and I’ve come across what I think is a bad misfire. I’m somewhat self-taught, have worked in automotive for about six years total with plenty of hands-on experience, however no legitimate technician certifications. Here’s the run-down:
Purchased the car as a project/fixer-upper, from the get-go the vehicle has had idle/firing issues. Initial diagnostics with a journeyman friend of mine pointed me in the direction of a misfire, tested via pulling of the injector wires with engine running to attempt isolation of a particular cylinder. From passenger to driver, pulling the wires on far left and far right caused engine to die. Pulling the inner two caused no change. Started with replacement of plugs and wires, which caused no change. Replaced the inner two injectors (assumed to be bad) and still no change.
During this time, I simply have been trying to get the car to drive-able condition, I had plans to eventually swap a 4G63 turbo in when it became affordable. Further diagnostics would point me towards compression testing, however I’m somewhat certain the issue could be bad compression already. The motor does appear to have some coolant spillage along the passenger side of motor, indicated by a white film build-up, however monitoring coolant levels I have seen no drop either in the overflow reservoir or the radiator itself. Previous owner stated they had changed the thermostat, so perhaps just a mess left behind from that install?
Looking to start this thread and discuss my possible options. Thank you for reading and I hope to hear back soon, I love the look of this little car and would be sad to see it have to pass from my hands to the junker!
