So, I bought a 2002 S Type 3.0 v6 last year to replace my chevy truck with a bad head gasket. So far ive had a couple minor things, but about a month ago, it started to stutter, especially on an incline. On Saturday, the check engine light came on after a particularly bad stuttering bout. She limped home and seemed fine on the flat and going downhill, but would splutter and hitch whenever I started goig uphill.

I did some reading here (fantastic forum btw), bought some fresh plugs just in case (will come back to that), got the code read at my mechanic earlier (code p0304 as listed in the topic), and now I'm pondering how to proceed.

I opened the hood yesterday to change the plugs. Petunia (that's the car's name), is close to 100k miles anyway, so it seemed a good safe bet the plugs could use a change. What I found, to my great joy, was the intake manifold blocks access to the plugs on the passenger side. I figured, well, at least I can get one side and get the other side once I get up the gumption to remove the intake...and found the plugs so torqued down I can't get them out. Lol...

I'm going to take another crack at it later this week....should be fun.

will keep a log of my journey here so you folks can have a chuckle or two perhaps.

 

Plugs were due at 70K and if done then don't need doing now.

Misfires are usually a coil or air leak. Coil, probably, from your description.

 

hmm, thought most newer cars were 100k for plugs these days. Well sheesh. Meh, have the new plugs, can't hurt...so long's I don't cross thread em.

I forgot to mention, I suspected a possible air leak since the gas cap was broken (I could make it talk like a Muppet). I replaced it on Saturday evening. Replacing the filler cap should have had an immediate result right?

anyway, I'm going to replace the coils too, just in case...need to figure out how to do that yet, but I'm sure the information is easily obtainable.

thanks for the input. It is most genuinely appreciated!

 

You'd struggle to count the many posts on how to do the plugs and what gaskets etc you'll need.

Get a cheap OBD tool that can read live data and check fuel trims, parked, hot engine, at idle & 2500rpm.

 

heh, yeah, I noticed. Well, I found a set of six ignition coils on Amazon for $50. Good deal I think. Now I just need a nice sunny day and a couple hours to spend taking off the stinkin intake. LOL... Oh well.