DerekTheGreat
Forum Regular
Okay... So a couple new problems... The idler pulley i installed a month ago already has wobble in it... So i need to replace that. One of my spark plugs looks like it has oil leaking around it. I don't know if it is on the threads and causing misfire. My guess is it is. Speaking of spark plugs. I bought some MSD iridium performance spark plugs, but the gap is different than what is manufacturer recommended; however, every site i checked said they were compatible with my truck. Should I have just gone with OEM spark plugs?
Also, the truck has started to sputter with light throttle application. It doesn't matter if it is at 55 mph and just trying to maintain speed or if I'm just lightly pulling out of the driveway. I think I need to replace the fuel injectors, but if I have to replace those I'm going to replace the fuel filter as well. I'm learning a lot, but with all the little things that keep popping up I just want to replace everything. Just start ripping stuff out and putting new stuff in and hope everything gets resolved. But that's kinda out of my budget right now... oh well. I guess with the oil in the spark plug I should replace the valve cover gaskets.
One more thing. I noticed some white smoke at cold start this morning coming out the tail pipe... It only lasted about 30 seconds and then was gone. I'm thinking valve stem seal. But I wasn't planning on opening up the engine this year... Oh well. Guess I'll add that to the list... Or would it be okay to just wait until next spring when I change out the cylinder heads?
Take those iridium plugs back and get yourself regular old copper core plugs, CR043TS. The stock ignition system doesn't like those fancy plugs and I wouldn't be surprised if it runs worse with those plugs you have. If you haven't checked your existing plugs, time to pull them all. Will give you a baseline of how the engine has been running if they've been in there for a few thousand miles. Look online for spark plug charts, but if there is fluffy brown stuff all over the electrode and such she's definitely an oil burner. I'm not an expert but I've read that oily threads can be caused by oil getting past the rings.
I wouldn't do anything with the fuel injectors until you've straightened out the ignition components and verified that the injectors are spraying correctly and the truck maintains base idle when hot just fine. I'd change the fuel filter though. It's never a bad idea to change all fluids & filters when acquiring a new vehicle, least not IMO.