spam7788

Hello,

2005 MDX with 110k miles

Please provide any help. CEL came on again. 2 weeks ago, 5 or 6 of the codes came on 0301, 0302, 0304, 0300. So I read through the DIY section and order a new coil pack and put it in the cylinder 6 location to test out which coil is bad.

So today CEL came on again but with more codes: 0301, 0302, 0303, 0304, 0300, 0172, + 0301pd, 0302pd, 0303pd, 0304pd, 0306pd......i think the last 6 said its running too rich?

Where should I start? what should I do.........besides taking it to dealer.

Recently timing belt and waterpump was replaced. I personally replaced the plugs w/ Bosch Fusion IR. But my car was even running rough before timing belt or plugs. Dealership wanted me to do a valve adjustment. Can that be the problem?

The problem i'm experiencing is rough idle, poor milage avg about 17.5mpg, and sometimes hard to start car, feels like there's no gas to engine.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

akord 97

From what I heard lately, misfires are being caused by the exhaust valves. They probably need adjustment.

Majofo

Start at the plugs & coil packs.. I bet you unseated or damaged a coil pack in the process of replacing them. Also check the harness connection on the coil packs to verify they are securely fastened. I would also replace or at least adjust the PCV valve and clean out the EGR valve & port.

More than likely it's one plug or coil pack which is causing all those codes to be thrown. There is a possibility it could be the timing but since you said it was before and after the change it's more than likely a coil pack or valve/s. Start at the simple stuff and move down the list and keep us updated.

spam7788

I decided to clean the EGR valve and port first, and then do the coil pack check gain.

this is the first time I ever done a repair to my car this intense......the hardest i ever done was change brakes. So Im a rookie to this.

I took the intake manifold cover off
- Is there supposed to be oil or fuel or sometype of fluid in the upper intake maifold area?
- Should I replace the intake manifold over gasket?

- After i took out the manifold, and I see there are some build up down the ports(holes) down I guess to the engine. Can I spray those holes w/ throttle body cleaner? But will those junk drip into engine?

- What else should I look for or do after i take the manifold out for cleaning?

Thanks again for any help.

spam7788

gonna try to post some pics of where Im at right now.

spam7788

Also, should I replace the EGR Valve?

Majofo

I wouldn't have removed the IM but everything looks fine.. I'd knock down that crap and clean it up, deep creep and scrub the EGR valve. I would also install new manifold gaskets since you're in there already. You should also replace your PCV valve if you haven't.

You should get a new coil pack and play hopscotch to see if it is indeed a bad coil pack. There's a better way to verify if you have a bad coil pack but I can't remember the procedure off hand. If that fails to work, check your plugs and make sure they are fine and gapped properly. With the plugs out you can check your compression and do a leak down test.

spam7788

Ok cool. Thanks for the advice.

I will order a new PCV valve from dealership.

Should I replace the EGR valve? I took that out, but there's not much, you can clean. There are just 2 small holes on the bottom of the valve.

Also, do i need to replace the upper and lower manifold gasket? if its still in good condition? or should I just do it right now, since I have everything out.

spam7788

spam7788

The last pic is the bottom of the EGR valve. Not much I can clean.

spam7788

spam7788

O, I do have a question for anyone. On the first photo of the upper manifold. On the left side of the pic, there's a piece of aluminum piece with 2 bolts. what is that? I took that out and its very dirty inside. I did the best to clean it, but still very dirty. Does anyone know what is that call, should I replace it, instead of trying to clean inside of it?

Thx,

billman730

I would never reuse gaskets once they were compressed but maybe it is not unusual with modern import cars. A tiny leak is just not worth redoing the job over a second time to me...

spam7788

Ok, cleaned everything. Since I had in intake manifold out. Took out the back plugs to recheck them, looks ok. Put a new coil in the back, so I can do music chair method of figuring out which coil is bad.........or if i'm lucky, after cleaning everything there be no more codes.

will put everything back together today.

Majofo

I doubt your issue is related to the IM. Make sure the egr valve is clean in the inlet and purge port, clean any buildup or gunk thoroughly. It looks fine from the side pic though.

I don't have the SM for the MDX with me but here's a cap of the TL SM on coil diagnosis. Should be identical with the exception of the fuse. Make sure that when you load the coil over the plug that it snaps in and doesn't push off much since it's spring loaded and don't use any dielectric grease. Also make sure the harness connection is secure. Keep us updated.

spam7788

Majofo, I think you are right. Dont think its the IM. I replaced the ERG valve and clean the in and out port the best I could.

Make sure that when you load the coil over the plug that it snaps in and doesn't push off much since it's spring loaded and don't use any dielectric grease.
This could be the initial probem, I used some of those grease. But I did clean them off this time.

Everything is back together now, but new CEL codes + more lights came on, VTM4, the little triangle

code P0113 and 0113? Intake air temperature and circuit high input? what is that mean?

spam7788

cant' erase those 2 codes. once I clear it, came back immediately

Majofo

Check your IAT sensor.. it's registering a short. Again, one issue can pop up several interrelated codes.

spam7788

Haha, i'm such a dumbass. I didnt plug in one of the wire from MAF sensor.

Car is running smooth right now. I'll give it couple more days, hope no more miss-fire. Gonna do an oil change tomorrow. maybe have a professional fuel injector flush this weekend.

Thanks everyone for info and input.

spam7788

Ok 4 codes came back. p0301, 0302, 0304, 0300. Need to find out which one is causing the code.

Can there be possible 2 bad coil? which one should I start first?

Majofo

probably just one.. check the continuity of the coils outlined in my previous post and run some b12 through your tank. You're running 91+ octane right? If the coils are okay.. check the gaps on the plugs and then follow up with a compression and leak down test.

spam7788

Whats B12?
Yeah I'm running 91 oct from Shell, or chevron.

I'm using Bosch Platinum Fusion Ir, right now. You think that could be the problem? Some peeps told me Acura should only use NGK or Sensko?

I will get a meter and see if I can follow your instruction to check to voltage

Majofo

Berryman's B12 chemtool fuel injector cleaner.. be careful with it.. it'll strip the paint off your car. Run the highest octane you have in your area.. here it's 93.. if you have 93, run it.

I haven't heard much about Bosch but I'm sure they're fine.. and since you had misfires before the tune up it probably has nothing to do with them but make sure the gap width is in spec. Some plugs don't come with a shield and sometimes the gap gets pushed in. The NGK Laser Iridiums are great plugs.. well worth the money.

Keep us updated.

Also, a DMM can be found pretty cheap.. You shouldn't be paying more than $15-20 for one.

spam7788

So I finally gave in and took it to my local shop. It came back it needed a valve adjustment. Called dealership they wanted $500, my shop was able to do it for me for $225 out the door.

My MDX now has very smooth idle and acceleration. When sitting at the light, I can't even tell the engine is on.

Thanks everyone for their help.

BTW, just installed the HIDextra, it looks good. Cant' wait til night time to see how it is on the road.

Thanks again.

Majofo

Probably the exhaust valves.. That's actually a pretty decent price for a valve adjustment. Glad you got everything worked out. I might go ahead and check my valves since this is the second occurrence I've heard.