'03 LX CEL Flashing

[yorel23]

Hi all,

On my drive into work today, my CEL started to flash. At the same moment my engine began to buck a little. The bucking went away, but the CEL continued flashing. It didn't buck again until pulling into work and was really bad when idling in the parking lot. Took it to AutoZone at break (CEL still flashing, bucking at idle) and they pulled code 0304 (Cylinder #4 misfire). Is this most likely plugs and wires or am I looking at something bigger? (sad2)

[boostdprotegelx]

plugs.

as far as the code is saying.. but that's one hell of a way to go.

[yorel23]

Well, I pulled spark plug #4 and it is caved in. I'm thinking this is a ViCS screw failure issue mentioned in the sticky at the top of this forum. Now I've got to see if the dealership will do anything for me on it.

[boostdprotegelx]

they might.. but if you're at all mechanically inclined, you can do it yourself.. get yourself a magnetic teliscopic wand, and stick it in the spark plug hole.

[yorel23]

Boost,
I did the magnetic wand trick and there was nothing in there. Took it to the dealer just to see. They told me that the recall work had been done 3 years ago (I bought it last year.) The tech told me that if the recall work was performed correctly those screws would never come loose. He suggested that the caved plug was probably a result of carbon buildup coming loose in the cylinder and smashing the plug. What do you think? Should I pull the intake manifold off and check for missing screws just in case, or just replace the plugs and assume that was all it was? Don't have a lot of extra time right now and need the car, so if you think I'm just wasting my time pulling the IM I'll just do the plugs.

[boostdprotegelx]

i would say, go ahead and replace the plug first. and if it happens again, that's a sure sign to pull the IM off. good luck!

[P-Funk!]

Boost,
I did the magnetic wand trick and there was nothing in there. Took it to the dealer just to see. They told me that the recall work had been done 3 years ago (I bought it last year.) The tech told me that if the recall work was performed correctly those screws would never come loose. He suggested that the caved plug was probably a result of carbon buildup coming loose in the cylinder and smashing the plug. What do you think?

Oh BS! That tech is an idiot! Have them look at the first cat inlet screen for a smashed up screw or pull the intake manifild and inspect!


Should I pull the intake manifold off and check for missing screws just in case, or just replace the plugs and assume that was all it was? Don't have a lot of extra time right now and need the car, so if you think I'm just wasting my time pulling the IM I'll just do the plugs.

You could replace the sparkplug and get back on the road - but i would not delay in pulling the intake manifold (If Mazda won't).