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04 Mitsubishi Lancer - Cylinder 4 Misfire
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tjk100
New User
Feb 11, 2013, 10:54 PM
Post #1 of 5
(10874 views)
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04 Mitsubishi Lancer - Cylinder 4 Misfire
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Hello, this is my first post here and this problem is a little convoluted so I apologize in advance, but I'll try and keep it simple. A forewarning: I'm a good driver, but I'm terrible with car knowledge. Go easy on me. :)
For starters, I drive a 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer, 4-door with a 4-cylinder engine (I don't know the engine size, unfortunately, any advice on how to quickly find that information?), and about 120,000 miles on it, with automatic transmission.
As a quick background, last spring when I had my last inspection I was noted I had failing engine mounts, but that the car should last fine through the summer so long as I got them fixed before winter came back. Well, it's been winter a couple months now and I've been putting off the repair. (was quoted $350, which I can't easily spend right now)
When we started getting heavy snow here, I noticed my car struggling to get in gear while driving. It bumps a bit every now and there's frequent resistance with it getting into gear properly. Never so bad that the car's not driveable, but it slows it down from time to time. It's especially bad when I first turn it on in the morning, often having to floor the gas pedal just to get up to 40. The problem's gotten smoother as the weather's gotten warmer, but it hasn't gone away, either.
When this first started happening, the "Service Engine" light came on. I didn't think to check it out because it would only pop up when the bumpy getting-into-gear problem was occurring, so it seemed to make sense. I was guessing that the engine mounts were the cause of the driving problem and the "Service Engine" light coming on.
Tonight, however, I decided to get the service light checked by an auto parts store to be on the safe side. Their reading said the light was on because of a "Cylinder 4 Misfire" and they gave me 4 probable causes (ignition system fault, fuel system fault, vacuum leak or "engine mechanical condition").
I hope it doesn't sound like I'm squeezing a bunch of problems into one message, because I'm trying to find it if these problems could be related at all. Could my failing engine mounts have caused the cylinder misfire AND be the driving problem I've been experiencing? Or are these all completely separate issues?
I hope this hasn't been confusing, and I'd be happy to provide any extra information for help. Thanks in advance!
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MarineGrunt
Enthusiast
Feb 11, 2013, 11:41 PM
Post #2 of 5
(10851 views)
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Re: 04 Mitsubishi Lancer - Cylinder 4 Misfire
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Sounds like a whole different issue. What were the exact numbers of the trouble codes? There are some professional mechanics on this site and will be around first thing in the morning. They'll want the exact codes in order to help diagnose.
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nickwarner
Veteran
/ Moderator
Feb 12, 2013, 7:05 PM
Post #3 of 5
(10813 views)
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Re: 04 Mitsubishi Lancer - Cylinder 4 Misfire
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You have two separate issues here. I'm guessing the code number you got was a P0304. Would be interesting to know if any other ones were present.
This misfire is just on the #4, and with you already mentioning your financial concerns and having to put off repairs, I'm guessing you haven't tuned it up recently either. That would be the first thing I would look at, is the condition of your spark plugs. If they are original they would be starting to fall on their face right about now with 120,000 on them and cold weather which needs a hotter spark to ignite cold fuel. This is a job you could do yourself and would be inexpensive to get the plugs at the parts store. Don't think you would be doing yourself any favors by getting the most expensive plugs either, get the exact factory replacement ones for this. Even if right now they are not the issue I can tell you they are about to be. If the cylinder isn't burning its fuel, that raw fuel goes down the exhaust pipe into your catalyst and will wreck it if you neglect this for long. That would cost quite a bit more to repair than the motor mounts you really do need to change.
If you have some basic sockets and wrenches and aren't afraid to get a bit dirty for the sake of saving some cash, We can explain to you how to do this job yourself for the cost of parts. You would need to look at the information we give you and decide for yourself if you have the tooling and ability to then complete these tasks. You don't want to get halfway in and find you are over your head. Then you end up paying a tow truck and it will cost more to have a mechanic put it back together after its been fooled with than it would to have him do the job from start to finish himself.
Think of what resources you have available to you and how handy you are with basic hand tools. Determine your comfort level with it. The spark plugs would be a good icebreaker to decide if you feel up to the task of trying to tackle those mounts. If you neglect a $350 repair long enough, it will cost you a lot more than that when it fails. We all see that happen on a daily basis in this field.
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tjk100
New User
Feb 16, 2013, 5:53 PM
Post #4 of 5
(10787 views)
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Re: 04 Mitsubishi Lancer - Cylinder 4 Misfire
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Thank you for your reply, sorry for not getting back sooner.
By "two separate issues" I assume you mean the failing engine mounts are one issue, and the cylinder 4 misfire/driving problem are the other issue, correct?
I wanna focus on fixing the cylinder 4 issue first since it seems more urgent. I'd like to get the spark plugs checked and replaced, can you tell me how I might check them out and determine if they need replacing? From there, where can I best learn how to fix them?
I'm okay with learning some basic car maintenance to get the spark plugs fixed, but I think I'll just take it to a mechanic when it comes time for the engine mounts.
Thanks again for your help!
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nickwarner
Veteran
/ Moderator
Feb 16, 2013, 6:51 PM
Post #5 of 5
(10780 views)
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Re: 04 Mitsubishi Lancer - Cylinder 4 Misfire
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1.6L, 2.0L DOHC, & 2.4L DOHC Engines
  
Fig. Ignition system component locations-1.6L and 2.0L DOHC engines - Disconnect the negative battery cable.
- Tag and remove the spark plug wires from the ignition coil by gripping the boot and not the cable.
- Detach the electrical connectors for the coil.
- Remove the retaining screws and coil from engine.
- Installation is the reverse of the removal procedure.
1.8L & 2.4L Engines
Fig. Ignition system component locations-1997-00 1.8L engine shown, 1999-00 2.4L engine similar - Disconnect the negative battery cable.
- Detach the electrical connector(s) for the coil(s).
- Remove the spark plug wire(s) to the companion cylinder(s).
- Remove the coil retaining bolts and lift the coil from the cylinder head.
- The installation is the reverse of the removal.
Fig. Ignition system component locations-1.8L engine shown, 2.4L engine similar - Disconnect the negative battery cable.
- Detach the electrical connector(s) for the coil(s).
- Remove the spark plug wire(s) to the companion cylinder(s).
- Remove the coil retaining bolts and lift the coil from the cylinder head.
- The installation is the reverse of the removal.
You will want to check the gap of the spark plug. Parts store sell a cheap gapping gauge that is useful for this. Also look for heavy buildup of crud. Some residue is normal. Oily deposits aren't.
Engine mounts are a seperate issue than the misfire, but most like the ones for your car are a bolt-on deal.
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