So, I tackled my first rotary tuneup this morning and managed to get all the plugs and ignition coils changed (new wires are on the way...NOBODY local carries them...not even cheap ones). I thought I had everything finished, went to start it, engine fires, dies immediately. A quick peek back under the hood shows i left the wire off the last coil. Replaced it. Fires again...and dies. Tried it one more time before I took another peek back under the hood. Forgot to plug the MAF (I think, anyways..the sensor on the airbox) back in. Plugged it in...starts immediately, and idles beautifully.

I let the car run for a while, get warmed up...and pull out of the garage. About half way through first gear (it's an auto), I notice the engine sounds louder...like there's an exhaust leak somewhere. Drove it a few more miles...revved it up to speed, and the car feels great. Revs freer/faster, runs smoother, and just feels like it woke up from a bit of a coma. BUT...it certainly sounds louder. Frankly, I like the sound...but I'd like to know why it's louder. Would not getting the airbox seated right cause that?

There is a check engine light on on the dash, now...and I'm guessing it's related. Anybody have any ideas?

 

Need to get the code for the CEL
Please check the order of the plug wires FL, FT, RL, RT coils from front to back. L and T are stamped on the engine near the plug holes
Make sure that plugs are tight and that the wires are firmly clicked on.
Check the MAF O-ring - it's easy to pinch

Did you touch anything else?

 

I'm 100% positive the plugs and wires are positioned right. I changed one at a time...and only had one wire unplugged at any given time. I snugged the plugs tight..i mean, I didn't really crank on them, but they're tight. Would loose wires really result in sounding like i have an exhaust leak under my feet?

 

Just things to check until you can get the code scanned.

 

Not that I'm aware of...didn't even take the driver's side wheel off. I didn't remove or pinch anything else except the stiff accordian hose from the airbox to the throttle body.

 

how tight are your plugs?

 

I committed the unpardonable sin and didn't use a torque wrench...but they're tight. I could probably get another quarter turn out of them if i had to...but they aren't coming out unaided.

 

Little update...after driving probably 15-20 miles, coming home for a bit, and then going back out to run somewhere else, the CEL is gone. Still no change in the new sound, though. It seriously sounds like i put a new catback on it or something...completely baffled at this point.

 

Maybe you were running on one rotor. Now it's two.