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Engine misfiring bad?

Tiny
TSSTOCKTON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 DODGE CARAVAN
1998 Dodge Caravan 6 cyl

when I start it up in the morning it will misfire a little bit. As the engine warms up it gets worse. It cuts out real bad when you try to take off but once you get going it does better. It throws a random multiple misfire code. I have changed the fuel pump, plugs, wires, cap and rotor. When I changed the plugs it ran fine for a while but it went right back to cutting out. Im not sure what to check now
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,200 POSTS
Good job! Glad you found the problem. Was the cap replaced when you tuned it up?

As far as the blue smoke at start up, my first guess is valve seals.
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
Is there a check engine light on?
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RUSTYFORD
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Hey Joe: The cap was new, but cheapest. The other problem was the #4 wire to cap.I did not install all the way. It then started to short, hence the crack.I should of paid more attention to what the cpu. Was telling me in the first place, (#4 misfire) Just may attempt valve seals. The front cylinder head anyway. The rear looks like a nightmare, any advice?I'm hoping a small Porter cable pancake compressor will work, as long as theres no leakage, right?Thanks, Rusty
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TSSTOCKTON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yes the engine light is on. When I hook it up to a computer it says random multiple misfire.
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,200 POSTS
It should work. Just work carefully and quickly. I've seen valve spring compressors (for when you do the work with the head still on) open the valve's seal, compression is lost, and the valve drops in. Also, the retainers are a little tough to deal with because of size and they like to shoot off if not properly seated, so keep your eyes on them.

As far as the back, yes they are a pain. However, when you remove the plenum, believe it of not, there is room to work. The worst part is hooking up the compressor to each cylender. Believe me when I say, I would love to meet the engineer that comes up with some of the ideas. My guess is it's the CEO's nephew that got an engineering degree online for around 50 bucks. Life could be so much easier for everyone if things were just thought through.

Let me know if you have questions or problems, and good luck.

Joe
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RUSTYFORD
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Maybe I'll get lucky. The bad one(s) are at the front. Shouldn't I be OK even losing compression, as long as that cylinder is TDC? Yes, I know what you mean about engineers.I just replaced the Steering rack when I could of got away with replacing the one 1/4 line. Nobody knows where to get fittings or duplicate the fancy flat flares?Maybe I should of asked Toyota?Since thats who made it?I'm sure they would only be happy to sell me a new rack. Picked up one from wreckers for 80 bucks off a 2000.
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GALILAHI
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
My code says that I have a cylinder misfire detect (code P0300- P0305
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
Hi there,

I would start with a tune up as this may just be a faulty plug or lead setting off this code, start here.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,200 POSTS
If it is only the front, you should be fine. If you run into trouble, let me know. And yes to having the pistons at TDC.
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GALILAHI
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I guess I should elaborate more on the van.

When it rains, the van stalls, it revs up and down by itself. It will do this for about 10 minutes, then it's fine until the next time it rains. I would have the van parked over night, and if it rains during the night, this is what happens.

I had a tune up and I changed the spark plugs, wires, dis. Cap and rotor.

I still have the same problem.
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RUSTYFORD
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Joe:The rack I picked up had o-rings on the main lines on the flares into the rack, which the wrecker cut, to put on a socket, off a 2000 caravan. My 98 never had these 0-rings. Do I need to buy a couple to put on? Or will they be fine without?I hate to reassemble & have leaks, there. Fittings are a pain to get at. These are the bigger lines from pump, Thanks.
Rusty
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,200 POSTS
That is a good question. When you change years, everything changes. If they will go on for you, I would recommend replacing the O-rings. And I agree, there is no room.
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RUSTYFORD
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Joe:Just wanted to update/correct. For the loyal followers. So they don't make a mistake. Those lines into the rack, from the pump did have O-rings. It was hard to tell, they were very thin/worn. For what they are worth. Its better to replace. The only thing I must of done incorrect was turning the coupler to mate with pinch bolt on the steering?Now steering wheel is 1/4 turn counter clockwise?With wheels straight?Don't get it?The roll pin only installs one way?Just as the pinch bolt?Should I have unlocked the steering wheel first?Or maybe off on the Tie rods(s) install? Rusty
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,200 POSTS
Actually, the steering alignment is adjusted through the tie rods. When it is aligned, make sure the have the steering wheel straight when they adjust the alignment. When you put the tie rods back on, my guess is that is what happened.
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BUBBABE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1998 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 105,000 MILES
My shows trouble codes 300,306,303,1294 I changed the plugs cap rotor wires, ran two bottles injector cleaner through two tanks off gas and engine light still shows codes, van runs good, just at idle you can feel a little vibration in sterring wheel, I need a inspection, also replaced water pump and timing belt. Will you help me thanks raymond
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
You need to clear code s
and drive it for about 30 to 50 miles
if no light return
try for a sticker
if you have check engine light return post the code
let me know
good luck
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BUBBABE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
You need to clear code s
and drive it for about 30 to 50 miles
if no light return
try for a sticker
if you have check engine light return post the code
let me know
good luck[/quote:1f90fb6b1e]
i have done this twice already and codes pop back. After about 40 miles, any other suggwestions thanks
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
You need to clear code s
and drive it for about 30 to 50 miles
if no light return
try for a sticker
if you have check engine light return post the code
let me know
good luck[/quote:48a010de57]
i have done this twice already and codes pop back. After about 40 miles, any other suggwestions thanks[/quote:48a010de57]

IS IT the same codes?
Check fuel injectors
check for a vacuum leak
rpm not correct
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BUBBABE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes same codes but I will check for vacumn leak and injectors somehow, I know to spray starter fluid around suspect areas and if motor changes rpms, then theres a leak, but how do you ckeck the injectors, thanks

you need to clear code s
and drive it for about 30 to 50 miles
if no light return
try for a sticker
if you have check engine light return post the code
let me know
good luck[/quote:858b3de73c]
i have done this twice already and codes pop back. After about 40 miles, any other suggwestions thanks[/quote:858b3de73c]

IS IT the same codes?
Check fuel injectors
check for a vacuum leak
rpm not correct[/quote:858b3de73c]
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Monday, July 27th, 2020 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)

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