Running rough after tinkering with spark plugs

[acurrie7x]

I was debating changing the spark plugs on my Omega since it runs a bit rough and sluggish in general. When I removed the coil pack I found that all four of the plug wells were full of oil. Deciding that this could be the cause of the rough running I mopped up the oil using kitchen roll and put back the coil back.

The car then ran fine for a while, but soon began dropping revs whilst idling, sounded like an old tractor and had no power. I removed the coil pack again and cleaned the springs in petrol. It now runs fine about 90% of the time but at low revs still sounds rough and has no power. What is going on?!

Cheers,

Alec.

[tunnie]

You don't state what engine, 2.2 or a V6? Assuming its DBW as you've removed the coil pack with ease.

Did you actually put new plugs in?

[acurrie7x]

Well, I did say four plug wells But yeah, 2.2.

I haven't replaced the plugs, just cleaned the oil out of the wells and put the old ones back in. The car is only about to tick over to 75,000 miles, but it is likely the plugs that came originally in the car (52 Plate), so they probably do need to be changed.

It just seems strange that it has gotten worse after I started fiddling with them.

[tunnie]

Sorry missed the word four 

Well the cam cover has failed, this needs to be changed using geniune gaskets from GM and follow the guide here. It's quite straight forward as is cleaning the throttle body.

I'd hope plugs were changed at some point, given they are so cheap. I replace mine every 2 years or so, as they are only a couple of quid from GM.

In process of removing coil pack could have disturbed the plugs/pack, fact it has changed since you did that work indicates it something there.

I'd take coil pack out again, visibly inspect it for damage/burn marks. Replace all 4 plugs, re-assemble and see whats what. Make sure you get that cam cover gasket changed ASAP 

I'd take the coil pack out ag

[acurrie7x]

Thanks for the advice. I can get the plugs from Halfords for £18, is this good value or should I get them elsewhere?

I think the cam cover has been gone for years; I bought the car from my Dad a year ago (he had it from one year old), and he looked at changing the plugs a few years ago and said that they were swimming in oil then too!

Other than removing the pack and replacing it firmly and screwing it back in, is there anything else I can check? It's just not running at 100%.

[tunnie]

£4.50 a plug is ok, where abouts in the UK are you? I've got a trade card at Halfords which makes things cheaper. I generally get bits from a Vauxhall Dealer on Trade Club where I can, usually around £2 or so for a plug.

Also try Eurocarparts, a sale just ended but there are always loads of discount codes about give at least 30% easily.

As above, I'd clean all oil out, check plugs and coil pack, then go from there 

[JamesV6CDX]

If they've been in oil that long the cp is probably screwed

[acurrie7x]

New coil packs on eBay are ~£80!

What are the ramifications of running the car with a dodgy CP?

(Oh, and I'm located in Dumfries/Edinburgh).

[tunnie]

Crap running like your getting now, miss-fire under engine labor. You want a fully firing coil pack 

[henryd]

New coil packs on eBay are ~£80!

What are the ramifications of running the car with a dodgy CP?

(Oh, and I'm located in Dumfries/Edinburgh).

Running with a dodgy coil pack is a no no,unburnt fuel enters the cats and will destroy them quickly

[GastronomicKleptomaniac]

New coil packs on eBay are ~£80!

What are the ramifications of running the car with a dodgy CP?

(Oh, and I'm located in Dumfries/Edinburgh).

Running with a dodgy coil pack is a no no,unburnt fuel enters the cats and will destroy them quickly

And you'll soon burn through £80 of excess fuel... Pop a wanted post up for a coil pack from a breaker.

[johnnydog]

When / if you do get a replacement coil pack, check the plug rubbers before fitting. For relatively little money VX supply a kit of replacement rubbers and springs (these generally are not needed).  If the rubbers have been drenched in oil for a while, then they are likely to be split / perished at the ends.

[acurrie7x]

Okay, so assuming the true problem is the coil pack and I need a new one, should I also replace the plugs? And I need to fix the cam cover gasket to stop this from just happening again when it fills with oil? (And I will need new rubbers as the above poster says, they are all brittle and falling apart).

Starting to sound expensive. The car will be lucky if it's worth £500 and I'm leaving the country at the start of next year. Hmph...

[johnnydog]

If you manage to source a good used coil pack, it should come with the rubbers and there is every chance that they may be serviceable without the need for the kit. Don't despair yet!!