One month ago cel came on I changed spark plugs to after market plugs. One month later cel on again with misfire code.

Cel keeps coming on. 1st dealer gets misfire codes on 3 and 4. Says could be after market plugs so changes them to. Subaru plugs. 150 miles down road cel on again. Next Subaru dealer another 650 miles road. Misfire code on 3 and 4. Couldn't find anything, drives fine, reset codes. 500 miles down road cel on again. Next Subaru dealer misfire code on 1, 3, and 4. Says valves need adjusting. Getting very frustrated with non definitive solutions which keep costing more money. I am out 360 for spark plug replacement which was obviously not needed since it did not fix the problem…

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
If the spark plugs hadn’t been changed until 130k, it was time for the to be replaced anyway. This is probably why the dealer went with that repair as worn spark plugs can cause misfires. Ignition coils are another part that may fail and cause misfires when they malfunction. A compression test and cylinder leak-down test will show if there is a problem with the valves. You can try having the coils replaced and the valves adjusted by the dealer. Consider hiring an experienced technician like one from YourMechanic who can come out and conduct the same tests as the dealer could and determine the cause for your check engine light.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

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You might get a misfire code after spark plug replacement for an individual cylinder like a P0303. The code indicates a misfire in cylinder three. Sometimes the spark plug is dropped, and the ground electrode and the center electrode can make contact. Or the problem could be with the connection to the coil.
After you`ve changed your spark plugs, you should start up your engine to make sure they`re working as they should. If your engine starts up without a hitch, you can pat yourself on the back for a job done right.
What does code P0300 mean? The P0300 engine code indicates a misfiring cylinder problem in your vehicle. The misfiring happens when insufficient fuel is burned or when the spark plug gets damaged. In addition, it can damage your car`s catalytic converter in extreme conditions.
In most cases, successfully repairing the issue that caused your light to come on will cause the check engine light to turn off automatically—but only after 10 to 20 “cycles”.
A clogged or failed exhaust gas recirculation or crankcase ventilation valve or faulty oxygen sensor can send the wrong signals to the computer and cause misfires.
bad spark plugs can cause your engine to misfire. the engine`s computer uses sensors to detect these misfires and will create a code that turns on the check engine light. a flashing check engine light indicates the misfire is severe enough to cause damage to your catalytic converter.
A spark plug usually lasts about 30,000 miles, but cleaning them and maintaining them periodically lets your engine perform better and increases your plugs` lifespan. If you see rust, carbon, gunk, dust, or any type of buildup during the inspection, it may be time to clean them.
No reset. You can reset adaptions but that isn`t necessary.
No, replacing the spark plugs will not turn off the check engine light. You have to have a scan tool or a code reader to clear codes. It may be that a bad spark plug was causing a misfire code, but the code doesn`t go away until it cleared from memory with a scan tool.
The most common causes of misfires are worn, improperly installed, and mishandled spark plugs, malfunctioning ignition coils, carbon tracking, faulty spark plug wires and vacuum leaks.
In a very similar vein to the above point, spark plugs that are worn, dirty or simply too old to work properly can cause your engine to occasionally misfire. Engine misfires will halt your entire vehicle for a second or so and create a loud noise similar to a gunshot out of your muffler.
Our advice: P0300 (when misfiring occurs in random or multiple cylinders) is bad. A misfire is a very serious problem for an engine to have. If you see this fault code you should stop driving immediately, figure out what is causing the trouble code, and fix it.
The reasons for a check engine light turning on can range from something minor like a loose gas cap to something more serious like a faulty catalytic converter. It could even be a sign of internal engine failure. Ignoring the problem can turn a potentially quick fix into a costly and time-consuming repair.
The Light Stays On

If you`re experiencing this, don`t panic. You may think that there is still a problem with the car after the repair, but it`s because the light needs time to reset. The car`s internal computer only resets after a set period where it checks all of its sensors once more.

Oxygen sensors are a common cause of “check engine” lights. This sensor is located in the emission control system of your car, and is standard on all vehicles manufactured after 1980. The oxygen sensors are used to ensure that your engine is burning the correct amount of fuel, and running at peak performance.
While the check engine light can definitely be indicative of serious problems, the most common cause of the flashing is usually an engine misfire. There are many reasons why an engine misfire might be occurring. To run smoothly, an engine must be receiving the correct amount of power from the cylinders in your vehicle.
A flashing check engine light indicates a much more serious issue. Most often it means that the engine is misfiring and unburned fuel is getting into the exhaust system. This raises the temperature of the catalytic converter and can cause critical damage.
A blinking check engine light will show up on your dashboard is almost always correlated with engine misfires. A misfire means that the engine is dumping uncombusted fuel into your car`s exhaust system. Engine misfire is a serious issue because it can quickly raise the temperature of the catalytic converter.
What a Blinking Light Means. It could be overheating or an oil pressure issue. It could also be a problem with the brakes or fuel line, belt, hoses, etc. By far, though, the most common is a misfire in the engine that can damage the catalytic converter.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

One month ago cel came on I changed spark plugs to after market plugs. One month later cel on again with misfire code.
ANSWER : If the spark plugs hadn’t been changed until 130k, it was time for the to be replaced anyway. This is probably why the dealer went with that repair as worn spark plugs can cause misfires. Ignition coils are another part that may fail and cause misfires when they malfunction. A compression test and cylinder leak-down test will show if there is a problem with the valves. You can try having the coils replaced and the valves adjusted by the dealer. Consider hiring an experienced technician like one from YourMechanic who can come out and conduct the same tests as the dealer could and determine the cause for your check engine light.

Spark plug chaos. Rubber stoppers are preventing the spark plugs from coming out.
ANSWER : Hi there. Try using a pair of small needle nose pliers to pull off the rubber boots from the spark plugs. As you pull, twist the rubber boots to break them free. If you cannot get the rubber boots off, then try using some mineral oil on the boots to aid them off, then clean off the oil with soap and water with degreaser. If you need further assistance with removing the boots from the spark plugs, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

Car throws code: P0301 even after I have changed spark plugs, fuel injector, fuel filter, ignition coils.
ANSWER : The engine intake near cylinder one should be checked when first started to see if there is any vacuum leaks at intake gasket or the injector O-ring.

If no vacuum leaks are found then you may be having a carbon build up on the intake valves. This can cause running rough and misfires when cold, and go away as the engine warms. The carbon on the valves will suck in the fuel when it is cold and starve the cylinder of fuel. As the carbon and engine warms up, the carbon gets saturated with fuel and then the cylinder gets all the fuel it needs.

Try getting the combustion chamber cleaner from Ford and run it through the engine. Start doing this when it is cold so the carbon absorbs the cleaner. After that’s done, let the vehicle sit for at least 30 to 45 minutes. Then run some more cleaner into the intake and then let sit again. When adding in the cleaner for the third time, let the cleaner run in the intake and then hold the RPMs at about 2500 RPMs for a few minutes then rev the engine about 5 or 6 times from idle to 3500 rpm or as high as engine will go before the RPM limit engages. Road test the vehicle after clearing any codes caused by this cleaning procedure and then you should be okay.

If you feel like you need some assistance with this, consider YourMechanic, as a certified professional can come diagnose your Check Engine Light firsthand and perform this procedure for you as necessary. Good luck.

I have a engine miss codes po174 po420 are on now I had code multiple cylinder miss fire. I changed spark plug wires and plugs l
ANSWER : Hi there. Your issue might be caused by a faulty O2 sensor. You might want to read this article about the P0174 OBD-II trouble code as it will show you possible causes, symptoms and solutions to resolve the problems.

After i changed the crankshaft position sensor, i have a code p0302 which is a misfiring code.
ANSWER : The crankshaft and both camshaft position sensors should be replaced at the same time. Nissan had recalls on these sensors. Also, a simple compression test should be performed to verify no mechanical issues exist.

This car is known to have problems with the fuel injectors, this can be checked with a stethoscope to ensure they are clicking. Consider having a mechanic diagnose your car and replace your crankshaft and camshaft position sensors if necessary.

I have a dodge ram 1500 4.7- 2013 was changing spark plugs on top side with a 5mm socket socket is stuck help?
ANSWER : Hi there. Although what you are listing above is not necessarily a service we offer, it is possible to have one of our mobile mechanics come to your location to help you with this issue. To start, I would recommend setting up a spark plug removal service, then contacting the customer service sales professional that works with you to explain exactly what you need. When this has happened to me, I bite the bullet and purchase a new spark plug and new spark plug socket, as it’s very difficult to get it unstuck without damaging the socket.

Check Engine Light is on – codes P0313, P0299, P0304
ANSWER : Hi there. Based on what you’ve described, this could be a combination of faults between 2 or more things; however, I don’t believe the coils and spark plugs are at fault. One of the codes is set during a low fuel misfire (lean condition), one is specifying a misfire on cylinder 4, and one is a turbo related code; all based on a generic code investigation.

The make and model of the vehicle helps, but is not necessary at the moment. When a low fuel pressure misfire is set, there is a lean condition that has been detected by the sensors and one of the codes is telling us in which cylinder this is occurring. A possibility is a restricted fuel injector, loose injector harness, poor pin fit in the wire harness, and an air leak near that cylinder’s port in the intake manifold.

I’m leaning more towards a leak or crack somewhere creating an air leak since we also have a turbo related code stored and an intermittent rough start when cold. I strongly suggest having a qualified technician perform an inspection to determine the root cause. YourMechanic has several available technicians that can assist you with a Check Engine Light inspection and determine exactly what is giving rise to codes P0313, P0299, and P0304.

What does it mean if cylinder 2 and 6 are not firing and it is not the plug, plug wire, or coil because they have all been changed.
ANSWER : Hello. If the misfires are continuing to occur and the ignition parts are good then it may be a faulty fuel injector or an issue within the engine. I usually do a compression test first. By doing this I would know if the problem was internal such as a valve seat failure. If the compression test comes back fine then I test the injectors on those cylinder to make sure that are fine. If those happen to be good also then there is more than likely a problem within the circuit that is causing this and further diagnosis will need to be dine. If you need to have this misfire fixed, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose and repair this.