Someone help me

[MadMaxx]

This is frustrating as hellll... it doesn't make sense.

Car runs fine, time for a plug and wire change (30K miles). After the plug and wire swap, car runs like CRAP. Narrowed down to the passenger side, do to a cat that probably messured 200degrees on the side sils (I kid you not). All the plugs are fine, wires look visualy fine. People say it's not the computer. What next? Only thing else is a bent valve, which can't exactly happen from sitting for a week in the garage now can it.

Every change gets a quick fire up and drive, which means an extended cooldown is needed to continue work (i've tried to speed it up = burned arms/hands).

Car idles normaly, when accelerating slowly from a stop the car shudders, the shifter shakes along with the resonense (imagine a washing machine off ballence..when it's moving fast, it's fine, but when it slows down you can hear/see the ballance being shifted to side to side). Car somewhat bucks at higher RPM. Exhaust is much more V8 sounding than normal, doesn't have that V10 pitch to it anymore. It had trouble moving from a roll on one drive out, studdered and searched RPM for a few seconds.

Maybe JonB sold me faulty plug wires?

I am pissed, because i've never had a car beat me like this, where nothing i do makes it work.

MadMaxx

 

[MichaelP]

OH that *****. Sorry to hear your problems.

Why don't you call John B. He is VERY knowledgable and helpful.

You may want to edit your post also, re the John B. part.

 

[MadMaxx]

I'm just going to start over tomorrow... remove plugs, remove wires, all of it. Base line of the orginal plugs and wires. If that fixes it, then R&R the plugs. If still the same result, then wires. If it craps out then, then I know what it is.

Of course, if it still does it w/ the old plugs and wires, then i'll have to pull the valve cover and side sills.

***FLAME SUIT ACTIVATED***

MadMaxx

 

[MadMaxx]

I'M GOING INTO PARANIOD DILLUSIONS! NOOOOOOOOO!!

Must be withdraw kicking in.. it has been a whole week you know!!

come on ****.. cool down so I can rip your parts out...

Mad "where's that paxil?" Maxx

 

[Gavin]

1. did you use stock champion replacement plugs or platinum types - if replacement plugs were not stock champions- dump them
2. did you "gap" the plugs
3. confirm you have the replacement wires connected correctly

 

[Tomer]

MadMaxx...I think you better just send me your car, I will relieve you of your agony...It will get better just being near my sweeeet 96...

Seriously, Hang in there man, I know how frustrating this can be!! Are there any mechanically inclined Viper owners near by that can
lend a pair of eyes/ears/hands and some brain power to the situation?

Going back to your baseline plugs/wires would appear to be the right course of action. Lets cross our fingers that she runs fine when you install the old plugs/wires...THen you can go up from there and see when the problem shows itself.

Tomer

 

[Tiepilot]

Maxx,
I bet money$$ you have two or more plug wires that are NOT connected to the plug, re-check each wire to plug connection.

I recently installed Roe's 5 piece radiator hose set and noticed that several plug wires were not routed as cleanly as they should be, I re-routed them. Finished the job, started the car and it ran rough, engine light came on.

I rechecked every part of the engine compartment I came in contact with (thinking I inadvertantly disconnected a harness somewhere). Long story short, it turned out to be a plug wire on the drivers side front. The connection appeared to be good but upon closer inspection the wire really wasn't making good contact. I crimped the wire end and with a pair of needle nosed channel locks I got the wire to snap on.

My RT has those metal sleeves around the plugs and they interfere with getting the wires on properly. I want to remove the sleeves but I haven't looked into whether or not I should.


I hope this helps

 

[MadMaxx]

Today, I start over... ditching the first batch of plugs and getting another set of champions.

I am a pro at getting the plugs in and out now

Can the spark plug tubes be removed?

MadMaxx

 

[99 R/T 10]

Hey MadMaxx,
If after you change all the plugs out and still has the same problems put back on the old wires to help eliminate that possible cause. After the wires, I would be looking at the cat. The one thing that concerns me is the fact the right side cat get very hot on a short drive. Is it possible that it may have failed? I have heard of them failing before causing the same symptoms your describing. If the cat is restricting the exhaust flow, then the heat will be retained and little or no flow of exhaust will result. Hence bad driveability(sp).

Mike