PO304 this am, let it go or do something?

[tosun28]

This morning I went outside to clear all the ice and snow from my GA and let it heat up. I cranked it and she stared right up as always but the service motor “eng” light was flashing on and off rapidly. I killed her and tried to restart and as soon as she started she died out, I tried again and gave her some gas and she started up, this time with the light on and not flashing, I was down to like a quarter tank of gas “10 outside here is the temp when this happened” I drove the car and put fuel in her and rant to AutoZone, of course it showed the po304 misfire on #4 the guy said your plugs could possible be bad, I said at 74K? Then he said well that or the coil or the spark plug wires, I said oh you mean boots, he said yeah that’s what we refer to the boots as also.

Anyways he said it could have just been a fluke since all the snow and ice and since I was somewhat low on fuel, he said he would drive it today and see how it acts and then take some action if it acts weird.

The car never acted weird and didn’t even seem to miss or anything at all, plus about 30 minutes after leaving AutoZone my light turned off while driving.

So should I just wait and see if the car does have more issues later or should I go ahead and replace the boots since they are cheap anyway. I know the plugs are the 100k ones, but I have been wanting to check them, but I don’t want to take the cover off without a reason so I thought maybe I should just go ahead and get new boots and plugs so I have a reason to.

Anyone had any issues with the plugs/coils/boots around my mileage also?

Oh and I don’t think it’s a fuel related is well not pump anyways that was replaced under the service contract less than a month ago.


Thanks for any ideals and help

Donnie

[rixGAphx]

If the light went 'off', then the problem went away.
Therefore, you have no problems at present.

Your problem WAS P0304 - Misfire detected cylinder No. 4.
This was caused by EITHER ignition (plug/wire/coil) OR fuel injection (mixture too rich or too lean to fire).
Mixture problems can be from the injector beiing stuck OPEN, allowing a very rich continous stream of gasoline into the cylinder

Was it a 'fluke', possibly related to the weather? Strong possibility.
Was it a sign that the plugs/boots are starting to go? Quite possibly.
Was it something related to the fuel injection? Quite possibly.

75k miles is the PERFECT time to do the full 100k mile service.
* The plugs tips have 'eroded' and no longer fire as well as when new. Just change the plugs now and you will be AMAZED at the performance difference and improved milage.
Good time to replace the boots, just fer-the-hell-of-it.
* Run a bottle of name-brand off-the-shelf Fuel Injector cleaner thru the tank according to bottle directions.
* Checking the performance of the front O2 sensor is also a good idea; using a multimeter and comparing the values to the factory specs.
The O2 sensor deteriorates with age, and especially when an engine has beeen running 'rich' for a while.
Replacing an old 'used' one makes a great difference in how the car's computer 'sees' the engine performance, and how it sets the fuel injection and ignition.
* * *

Bottom line:
Your engine is due for its major service.
But since the light is now 'off', you can ignore the situation completely for as long as you like.
Heads-up though if the SES light comes on again for a P030x code.

Good luck,
-Rick

[tosun28]

Thanks for the relpy, I have been planning on doing the service, just havent had the time yet and our weather bites right now, next week maybe I can get it done when were outta the 20's

Thanks again,

Donnie

[carlover626]

I changed my plugs at around the same milage, probably a good idea.
I have had a couple of flukes that I caused myself...
Once I was turning the car off, and trying to keep the electronics going to listen to music. So I tried turning the key to the position that has all of the idiot lights on but the car off, I did it but not smooth enough. When I started the car again the CEL light was on...after a couple of starts the light was no longer lit.
I know that caused the misfire :(