DIY tune up

[TheInternet1980]

Long story short, check engine light comes on. Got the code read, code 302. 2nd cylinder misfire.

3 mechanics think a good tuneup will make the issue disappear.

I'm electing to purchase my own parts, and not get raped at the shop. Here's what I have
thus far.

NGK V-Platinum Power Plugs x 6
Bosch Spark Plug Wire Set
FRAM Air Filter
Intake Manifold Gasket
Airtex Distributor Cap
Airtex Distributor Rotor

Any other suggestions? Other parts that would be good to replace at the same time? Should I replace the spark plug seals as well for good measure? Plenum gaskets?

 

[zoiks]

Here is the stuff you should replace when doing a tuneup on an Eclipse.

NGK V-Platinum Power Plugs x 6
Bosch Spark Plug Wire Set
FRAM Air Filter
Intake Manifold Gasket
Airtex Distributor Cap
Airtex Distributor Rotor
2003 Eclipse GT

 

[TheInternet1980]

That was helpful

Trust me, I'd like to replace the vehicle. It's not feasible currently.

 

[Arkaign]

Have you done the timing belt? If so, when?

 

[zoiks]

Originally posted by: TheInternet1980
That was helpful

Trust me, I'd like to replace the vehicle. It's not feasible currently.

I was just kidding. You're list is complete for the most part. Some folks like to change the belts as well.
Are you sure that the Bosch spark plug wire set works best for your car?

 

[TheInternet1980]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Have you done the timing belt? If so, when?

Not yet. It was last done @ 60,000.

Originally posted by: zoiks
I was just kidding. You're list is complete for the most part. Some folks like to change the belts as well.
Are you sure that the Bosch spark plug wire set works best for your car?

I noticed

I'll probably wait on the belts and see how doing the plugs, wires, gaskets, and air filter work out. Funny you should mention that Bosch set. I had second thoughts and exchanged it for a set of NGK's, and grabbed a valve cover gasket set as well.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: TheInternet1980

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Have you done the timing belt? If so, when?

Not yet. It was last done @ 60,000.

Originally posted by: zoiks
I was just kidding. You're list is complete for the most part. Some folks like to change the belts as well.
Are you sure that the Bosch spark plug wire set works best for your car?

I noticed

I'll probably wait on the belts and see how doing the plugs, wires, gaskets, and air filter work out. Funny you should mention that Bosch set. I had second thoughts and exchanged it for a set of NGK's, and grabbed a valve cover gasket set as well.

While you're in there doing everything, do the timing belt + water pump.

 

[TheInternet1980]

If money were infinite I would.

If this doesn't do it, I'll have a shop go in and do the belt/pump.

Changing the belt myself sounds a little scary.

 

[desy]

fuel filter
pcv valve

 

[canadageek]

how many KMs/Miles are on the car?
do you hear/feel anything out of the ordinary? increased fuel consumption? shuddering? hesitation when accelerating? etc etc.

 

[TheInternet1980]

115k on the car.

Shuddering and hesitation while accelerating currently. The misfire is off and on. Sometimes it fires appropriately, other times it's way off. If this doesn't do it, I'll do the belt and water pump. If that doesn't do it, I'll toss in some new injectors. And if that doesn't do it, I fucking give up on this POS money pit.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: zoiks
Here is the stuff you should replace when doing a tuneup on an Eclipse.

NGK V-Platinum Power Plugs x 6
Bosch Spark Plug Wire Set
FRAM Air Filter
Intake Manifold Gasket
Airtex Distributor Cap
Airtex Distributor Rotor
2003 Eclipse GT

hehehe

 

[Stratk1ng]

I might have to do an intake manifold gasket in the next few weeks. I was thinking about just taking it in to get done. Isn't it a PITA to do this yourself or am I thinking of something else?

 

[Jabbernyx]

Run some SeaFoam through there. That and you forgot the oil and fuel filters. Cabin air filter couldn't hurt too if you haven't replaced it in awhile.

 

[Arkaign]

Hehe, someone around here was talking about how reliable Mitsubishi is these days. I don't think much has changed. Seems like every time I see a 5-year-old or 100k+ Mitsu, it's on it's last legs.

 

[drum]

The new set of plugs and wires may likely fix up that stutter and the misfire.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Originally posted by: drum
The new set of plugs and wires may likely fix up that stutter and the misfire.

I agree, you could just have a bad sparkie, thats all. Always do all plugs and wires at once if possible.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: drum
The new set of plugs and wires may likely fix up that stutter and the misfire.

I agree, you could just have a bad sparkie, thats all. Always do all plugs and wires at once if possible.

True, it could also be bad/worn teeth on the timing belt though. That's what happened to my ex's Eclipse before the motor went kaboom.

 

[TheInternet1980]

Originally posted by: Jabbernyx
Run some SeaFoam through there. That and you forgot the oil and fuel filters. Cabin air filter couldn't hurt too if you haven't replaced it in awhile.

The fuel filter is in tank on this car, or it would've been on the list.

If this does resolve the issue, transmission flush, oil change/oil filter, and a new cabin air filter are next in line for attention. Already have some seafoam, that I'll run through once this work is complete.

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Seems like every time I see a 5-year-old or 100k+ Mitsu, it's on it's last legs.

I wouldn't go as far as to say my car is on its' last legs. Code 0302 is pretty common once you hit 100k, in the 03' Eclipse 3L. I should've gotten the 100k maintenance done eariler,but I slacked on it. From looking, the dealer used some bargain basement parts for the 60k maintenance. (I bought the car with 80k on it). Hopefully when I throw some decent hardware at it, the issues will be resolved. It ran like a champ before throwing this code last week.

Originally posted by: drum
The new set of plugs and wires may likely fix up that stutter and the misfire.

That's my hope. Go tribe! Are you a Clevelander? Sweet message board link in sig! I post on dawgbones/browns official forum, but haven't found any others that are decent.

 

[exdeath]

Are you sure that engine uses a distributor? A 2003 V6 more than likely has a distributor-less multi coil setup with three coil packs.

More than likely just needs plugs and wires and a good inspection and cleaning out of the spark plug tubes. OHC engines like to collect water condensation, oil, and other crud in the spark plug tubes, especially if the valve cover grommets or plug wire covers are old enough and not sealing well. Probably not a coil as you'd have misfires in pairs rather than one cylinder, depending on the system.

 

[TheInternet1980]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK

Originally posted by: drum
The new set of plugs and wires may likely fix up that stutter and the misfire.

I agree, you could just have a bad sparkie, thats all. Always do all plugs and wires at once if possible.

True, it could also be bad/worn teeth on the timing belt though. That's what happened to my ex's Eclipse before the motor went kaboom.

Well...if this doesn't fix it....I'm torn between throwing new injectors at it, or replacing the belt/water pump. The injectors are obviously cheaper, but that might not be the fix I need. Crossing my fingers that my 1st set of plans resolves everything.

 

[zoiks]

I recommend hitting up an online Eclipse forum. If this sort of problem is apparent in your vehicle then they would know about it. Unless this is just a tuneup issue that is.

 

[TheInternet1980]

Originally posted by: exdeath
Are you sure that engine uses a distributor? A 2003 V6 more than likely has a distributor-less multi coil setup with three coil packs.

Indeed it does. I thought it was odd myself the first time I checked it out.

 

[TheInternet1980]

Originally posted by: zoiks
I recommend hitting up an online Eclipse forum. If this sort of problem is apparent in your vehicle then they would know about it. Unless this is just a tuneup issue that is.

Done and done. Code 0302 usually is plugs/wires/cap/rotor/gaskets, etc.

In most cases if this isn't the issue, it's either the timing belt or a fuel injector.

 

[exdeath]

When you replace the cap, take care to make sure it's nice and snug with whatever appropriate seal or gasket. Same with the square boots at the top of the plug wires. Often DIY replacement of caps results in no fix or more misfire problems down the road as a result of moisture finding it's way under the cap during rain and cold weather.