Mitharan

I tried searching but didn't really find something that answered my question. I found that the flashing CEL could mean a misfire. We had -14 degree weather last week and I unfortunately don't have a garage at the moment. I drive the car twice a week sometimes more on the weekends since I carpool and an 8 isn't the most friendly for that. I had my wife start the car to give her some run time before we went out of town for Thanksgiving. She said it was flashing check engine and she thought it 'might' have sounded like it was struggling.

When I got home I attempted to start her to troubleshoot and the engine would crank and not turn over. It would thunk hard every second or so and you could feel it torque the car a bit. I tried again unsuccessfully to start it. It had to sit for a few days since I was leaving and 3 days later when it was warmer I tried starting it again. It would crank still and not turn over but the thunk went away.

I think I ended up flooding it that first time and definitely the second now, but curious people's experience with the initial cause. Did I just get water in my tank from the cold or is there something else on our cars that don't like cold weather?

Razz1

Misfires are common.
Your wife doesn't redline the car so the plugs get fouled easily.

A sports car is not for winter.

Mitharan

No she's a car person too and I've instructed her on the right RPMs and stuff.

As for the cold, ya I agree but when the choices are move here for a job or live with inlaws, you take the job. lol

Whats the most common cause then for the misfire? THe plugs are relatively new though I needed to do the 60k tune up and all that so wasn't sure if the wires or coil could have been to blame.

tza0001

iTrader: (2)

Plugs, coils, and wires going bad. Their life is about 25 to 30,000 miles (wires can go longer). If your plugs are new but you never changed coils/wires, it is time to do it.