New guy question

[bluovlrcr]

Hello fellas, I am a new Viper owner, not a new Viper just new to the car (94RT/10) and already need some help. The car I bought is immaculate, as most of these cars are but it has developed a miss. The computer isnt throwing any codes so I changed the fuel filter and spark plugs and it didnt help. It looks like the number four plug wire is questionable. My question is what is the procedure for changing the plug wires on this thing? I have the cowl cover off but I cant squeeze my hand back to the coil pack on the pass side. Any advise? where else can I look for the miss, maybe the coil packs while I'm back there? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Chris

 

[JonB]

99% likley culprit is old wires. Windshield Cowl off #1. Small hands #2.

Magnacores on closeout $125

Better: AB-Quality $155

Plugs $20/set

Coil paks? Miles Matters.... prob the wires

 

[bluovlrcr]

Thanks JonB the car has 32000 on it. Shouldnt it be showing some codes for misfires?

 

[Steve-Indy]

Welcome!!!

Not sure that you'll see codes.

I use my "weasel arm"...but, if you have a large hand, it will be tough...especially as the right side of the motor tends to creep upward.
You MIGHT see if you could reach the wires at the coil pack with a plug wire boot pulling tool...noting Snap-On has them in several shapes...just a thought.

 

[plumcrazy]

another vote here for AB's wires.....

Home

 

[bluovlrcr]

Has anyone tried changing them from underneath the car?

 

[plumcrazy]

why would you ? its easy from the top

 

[Dom426h]

Has anyone tried changing them from underneath the car?

go ahead, and tell us how you make out

 

[jdeft1]

Looks like you know what to do.... Just use care and patience. Get a book if you don't have one yet so you can be sure of placement. My advise is to remove all the wires first then replace w/ new. Don't bother trying to do one at a time. Use an inspection mirror if necessary.

I bet they're original and rusted to the plug caps.. (mine were) She'll run great when done.

Next time you get under it have a look at the block and check for signs of seeping coolant. Gen 1 headgaskets are known to fail....


Edit: I advise removing all first so you can have a look at the terminals/coil packs. It's got a miss so a little looksee is in order... Should have said that earlier....

 

[99 R/T 10]

You could ask the last owner when the wires had been replaced, but I would also guess as everybody else. Get them switched out from the top, ONE AT A TIME. It helps eliminate the possiblilty of crossing the wires.

 

[RTTTTed]

After the wires,

You didn't comment on spark plug colors -that is the key! If all the plugs are the same color it may be an injector problem.

You checked the oil for filings? (lifter, rocker failure)

When doing plugs you could always do a compression test to make certain that the internal engine components are not the problem.

Ted

 

[bluovlrcr]

Thanks for all the ideas fellas, I'll let you know how it comes out.

Chris

 

[J&R3xV10]

Chris the really important question is...... what color is the car??

 

[JonB]

-He's already changed the plugs, so we know the wires are not rusted to them.
-The bad plug on 4 is probably what made that wire suspect.
-Could be corroded at the coilpaks.
-He apparently HAS wires already...I hope they are upgraded and new.

OEM Wires last about the same amount of heat-cycles as tires....5 years worth, or 15K miles. Exceptions are upgraded wires like AB-Quality; MagnaCore, and MoPar Race Blues, Taylor.......all have hi-temp boots and / or protective sheaths. [Lots of owners had endurance probs with MSD stuff.]

Degraded, aged wires can slowly, unnoticed, seep away HP....as much as 50HP can 'leak' away BEFORE a miss is even noticed! I have had many-many owners call in utter disbelief that their new plugs-wires acyually made noticable, and even a HUGE acceleration bonus.....they thought nothing amiss. [pun intended ]

 

[Dom426h]

hey Blu, did you ever get your prob fixed?

Did changing the wires help?
coilpacks?