Strange problem, Need Help!

[simdrew]

If I drive my car real hard, the I end up having a spark plug have its prong bent over so that it touches the electrode. I've fixed it a couple times now by regapping the plug and then the vehicle seems to run fine again. It's not the same cylinder every time.

I had thought that the car is running lean, softening up the spark plug and then predetonating and smooshing the spark plug. That's my theory so far. Like I say it only happens when I run my car really hard for a few minutes. It's not bad gas because I've replaced the gas and even put in midgrade. I'm thinking about cleaning off or replacing the O2 sensor.

Anyone have a suggestion on where to go from here?

Possible trouble-causing mods: intake cam, custom exhaust (no second O2), air intake

[simdrew]

(bump)

[simdrew]

(bump) (bump)

[simdrew]

(bump) (bump) (bump)

I'm beginning to think nobody has any ideas.

[intimidator2000]

Does you engine light come on when you have this problem.

[simdrew]

Does you engine light come on when you have this problem.

Yes it flashes, when I read the codes, it says misfire, but nothing helpful.

[99ProtegeRS]

when it flashes it means its doin damage to the engine somehow...

[jeg0024]

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123619298


How many times has this happened? Are you using the correct length spark plugs? Are you over tightening them?

[simdrew]

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123619298


How many times has this happened? Are you using the correct length spark plugs? Are you over tightening them?

Thanks for the link, I'm definitely going to look into that. It also seems like my car doesn't have as much power on the top end as it should (used to).
It's happened about three times now. The first time it happened, I was using stock plugs, and since then I've replaced them and very lightly tightened them, so that's probably not the issue.

I wish I was using a stock exhaust, because I can't check for the screws in the first cat. Anyone have a good way other than that to check to see if it is a problem with the ViCS?

[simdrew]

Well, it completely wrecked one of my spark plugs and I was getting a build up of what I thought was oil in the piston chamber, so I decided to just bring it in for service.
So far, it turned out that it was just unburned fuel, not oil (thank god, no damage to the piston/cylinder). They didn't think it was ViCS, but then I let them know that I my car didn't have the original engine in it. Haven't heard anything yet, but hopefully we'll get down to what the root of the problem is (was quoted $375 for the diagnosis, because they thought they might have to pull the head).
LOL, I just looked at my date promised, and it says 7/31--a month and a half from now.
I'm happy that I don't think this will be as expensive as a new engine (hope I'm not speaking too soon).

[jeg0024]

well, its looking a little better than before right? What happend to your first motor?

[simdrew]

well, its looking a little better than before right? What happend to your first motor?

Haha, abuse. I ran it cold, without oil, at high RPMs and spun a rod bearing.

[red95_240sx]

Haha, abuse. I ran it cold, without oil, at high RPMs and spun a rod bearing.
Why u did that? sorry you had to bump so much.

[jeg0024]

Haha, abuse. Some blonde chick ran it cold, without oil, at high RPMs and spun a rod bearing.


Damn. You must have missed the memo on not letting chicks work on cars lol.:p

[simdrew]

Why u did that? sorry you had to bump so much.

Now I let my car warm up in the winter and take it easy on it until the temperature gauge reaches center. I tend to drive my car like I stole it. I'm in an abusive relationship with my car and I just can't seem to break the cycle of violence. I'm wondering if my next vehicle should be a lease. I've definitely had my fun with this car though.

[jeg0024]

Now I let my car warm up in the winter and take it easy on it until the temperature gauge reaches center. I tend to drive my car like I stole it. I'm in an abusive relationship with my car and I just can't seem to break the cycle of violence. I'm wondering if my next vehicle should be a lease. I've definitely had my fun with this car though.

Sounds like you need to just get a rental on the weekends lol

[red95_240sx]

Now I let my car warm up in the winter and take it easy on it until the temperature gauge reaches center. I tend to drive my car like I stole it. I'm in an abusive relationship with my car and I just can't seem to break the cycle of violence. I'm wondering if my next vehicle should be a lease. I've definitely had my fun with this car though.

LOL why? it doesnt look all that bad. Is it too slow or something? (hah)