Hi all,

This morning my car started rumbling fairly moderately, and the CEL started flashing. Brought it in to my usual highly rated auto shop, and they got two codes:

P0302
P1399

After diagnostic, they said they found the spark plug and coil pack need replacing, and valve adjustment for the #2 cylinder. However, they recommended that I replace the spark plugs, coil packs, and valve adjustments for all 6 cylinders. Total quote was $1169! That seems a bit expensive.

I asked how much it would be to replace only the cylinder #2 spark plug and coil pack, and they said it would be $120, a very large difference from $1169.

Question:
1. Do I need to replace all 6? Do I need valve adjusting?
2. I asked about clogged EGR valve and they said they didn't check, but said that it's not really an issue. Doesn't seem to match up with what other people on this board think.
3. Do you recommend replacing the spark plug and coil pack myself?

Any other thoughts are appreciated.

 

six speed or auto?
You should trouble shoot cylinder 2, by running the car and taking off that coil pack, if no change in sound, either the coil pack or plug is bad.

spark plugs are 7 bucks each.
$7x6plugs = $42.

6 coil packs are like = $50 bucks.


you can easily take off the EGR valve and clean it yourself.


your trusted mechanic isnt so trustworthy

 

Thanks for the reply. The car is a 2001 3.2 Auto. ~165k miles. Agreed about the mechanic..

 

the reason why I asked about the transmission, is because sometimes six speed manual owners will over-rev their car.
bending valves and hurting compression in cylinders

but in your automatic, you cant do that, unless it was over heated.

 

Just spoke to the shop. They're hesitant to replace only one spark plug and coil pack. It also looks like the reason it's so expensive is because of the valve adjustment.

 

Plugs and coil packs are extremely easy to replace yourself. There are DIYs here and people to help if you have questions. You could even post in the region section to see if someone local would give you a hand for a case of beer.
If I were you I'd replace those and see how the car runs.

 

Planning on replacing all 6 plugs, and the #2 cylinder coil tomorrow on my own. Will update as soon as it's finished. Any thoughts on the valve adjustment, though, assuming everything goes well with the plugs and coil?

 

diy valve adjustments are tricky because A) you'll have to buy a feeler gauge. B) some can do it by feel.

it will get rid of the ticking sound at idle.

usually the exhaust valves get tight and the intake valves are loose.
align them to spec.

 

I adjusted my own valves and it was intimidating but not hard. Just take your time. And I've never even changed brakes before.

 

Just finished replacing all 6 spark plugs (NGK Iridium IX), and the #2 cylinder ignition coil. Car is running perfect now! The only thing is..the other 5 cylinders are running on the old coils (only the #2 coil was broken). Could this have any long term effect?

 

Doubt it. A bad coil will quickly throw a code. Glad the car is back up and running.

 

On mine, coils 2 and 5 failed at the same time, so I swapped all 6 for new ones (Airtex/Wells brand from rockauto). Funny how it always seems to be #2 cylinder....