June 22, 200520 yr I have a 2000 Legacy Outback with 98,000 miles. The check engine light has come on. Driveability is poor (rough idle, engine vibrates at higher rpms). The dealer OBD readout was for misfire cylinder 3. They replaced the plugs. I replaced the wires but the CEL remains (as verified at Autozone). Has anyone else seen this type of problem before.
June 22, 200520 yr I would check the compression and compare it with the other cylinders. If that seems ok then you may have a bad plugwire or ignitor. You could try swapping them to see if that changes things.
June 22, 200520 yr Plugs 3 and 4 are fired by the same ignition coil. Since 4 still fires well (presumably), I'd guess the problem is after the coil. The left and right wires are almost the same length; swapping them is a good test. It might also be a fuel injector.
June 23, 200520 yr Author I checked the spark plug for cylinder 3. I noticed that there is discolration around the hole, probably from some leakage. Is it hard to check the compression? Also is it hard to check fuel injector function? Thanks.
June 23, 200520 yr I checked the spark plug for cylinder 3. I noticed that there is discolration around the hole, probably from some leakage. Is it hard to check the compression? Also is it hard to check fuel injector function? Thanks. Compression is easy to check. You just need a compression tester gauge... it's just a little gauge with a hose and a threaded end with a rubber o ring on it that screws right into where the spark plug goes.. then you gotta crank the engine. the preferrable way to do this is by using a starter bypass and leaving your key in the OFF position, to prevent the vehicle from starting.
June 30, 200520 yr Author Just wanted to finish off this issue for future reference. I had to turn to a local service shop in town (Cincinnati). They did a diagnosis for $80 and determined the problem to be ....... a nonfunctioning fuel injector. I decided to let them replace it with a new injector. Parts $110 Labor $190 They did a good job with the diagnosis and even did a cylinder balance test after the repair. Nice job Spradlin.
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