RE: Fouled plug, injector problem - exhaust manifold crack?

[Robert Abatecola <robert@xxxxxxxxx>]

Jeff,

I swapped plug wires between #3 and #4.  I also inspected and cleaned 
the distributor cap.  So far nothing has changed.  The cap doesn't 
look damaged, at least not to my untrained eye.

Here's the explanation for the two head rebuilds.  When I bought the 
car I knew that it had a bad head gasket.  One of the first things I 
did was take it to my then-mechanic to have the work done.  Over the 
following year or so various "occurrences" with both of my Alfas led 
me to leave that mechanic.  One of those occurrences was the return 
of the dreaded milkshake in my radiator.  I found a new mechanic who 
pulled the head and informed me that the head work was done 
improperly and that the head had been ruined by the previous 
mechanic.  My new mechanic did the rebuild again and I took the car 
home running better than it ever had.  If there's a clue in there 
about my current problem, let me know.

I'm awaiting the arrival of a replacement manifold and gaskets 
tomorrow.  Once I install it I will continue with the #4 problem.

Thanks again.  I appreciate your thoughts.

-Robert


At 9:19 AM -0400 4/28/03, Jeff Greenfield wrote:

> Robert -
>
> ...There could be a small crack or other flaw in [the distributor 
> cap], that is causing a misfire (or more accurately, a cross fire 
> ... IOW the spark for #4 is leaking and causing another plug to fire 
> at the wrong time). If you are not sure of what you are looking for, 
> just replace it. They are less than $20.00 and are a routine 
> maintenance item. (What's that, I hear Fred yelling something about 
> changing parts :-)
>
> Ignition faults can be tricky. High voltage will do weird things under load.
> Just because the plug wires measure ok with an ohm meter, does not
> necessarily mean that they are ok.
>
> Head being rebuilt twice in 25,000 miles sounds a little suspicious ...
> what's the story there ... that could be a clue?
>
> Jeff
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