Re: Spark Plug Failures? 3.9L V6

From: andy levy (andylevy@yahoo.com)
Date: Tue May 13 2003 - 17:46:35 EDT


Bruce wrote:
> I own a '00 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab. It has the 3.9L V6
> with the 4 speed auto.
>
> Dec 2002, at 64k miles I had the engine tuned up.
> Within 4K miles, the engine ran rough at cold startup
> and developed a severe miss and the Engine Failure
> light lit off. I took it back and the trouble code was
> a "Misfire detected in cylinder #2". The mechanic
> determined it to be a cracked insulator on cylinder #2
> spark plug and replaced the spark plug under warranty.
> 4K miles later, the engine started running rough at
> cold startup, had the same miss and the engine light
> lit off again. The trouble code was again "misfire in
> cylinder #2". Pulling the spark plug, it was found to
> be a cracked insulator once again. It was replaced
> once again under warranty. The mechanic could offer no
> explanation for a double failure of this type.
>
> I have to believe the odds against 2 defective spark
> plugs winding up in the same cylinder on the same
> engine failing in the same mileage are astronomical.
>
> All routine scheduled maintenance has been performed
> on this truck.
>
> Has anyone else run into circumstances as I've
> described or have any ideas what could be causing a
> failure of this type?

Put a plug from one of your other cylinders in #2 and put a fresh one in
the donor cylinder. See what happens then. My money's on another bad
plug in #2.

Either it's being installed wrong or there's something wrong with that
cylinder. Aside from the cracked insulator, is there any other visible
damage to the plug? Odd colorings/deposits on the electrodes?

-- 
-andy

http://home.twcny.rr.com/andylevy/ --- andylevy@yahoo.com -------------------------------------------- "Whatever Adam does, do the opposite and you'll be fine" -Bob Tom --------------------------------------------



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