This is what the code reader says. It all started after I changed 1 coil pack, all the spark plugs and the plenum gaskets. There is coolant that has suddenly started getting in the spark plug tubes around the coil sleeves intermitantly. I am at a loss. Any suggestions are welcome. And thank you in advance.

 

It has a 3.0 engine and an automatic transmission too by the way.

 

Hi Charliie,

I have the smaller 2.1 V6 engine in mine which is front wheel drive, so there are some differences that I cannot do direct comparisons with you, but for what it is worth I have had my intake manifold off a couple times over recent years doing plugs, injector O rings, failed O2 sensor etc.
I only recall having to release three smaller water hoses on my engine.

• One to manifold just after throttle body
• Two to the PCV valve warming assembly.

I didn't always need to fully remove my manifold, but simply created enough space to offset the manifold to clear the lower intake manifold and spark plugs.

As for your issue, I would suggest you try to find the water leak first, as any water or oil that finds its way into the spark plug wells will inevitably create misfires and then the HO2 sensors will pick up the unburnt fuel and report issues, and if severe enough you might run the risk of damaging your cats.
Depending on which bank and which plug wells are getting ingress, rear bank might be heater hose or manifold/throttle body heating hoses.
Front bank could be hoses to PCV loop or one of the larger water hoses to thermostat or to pump.
Unfortunately there are plastics involved in the water hose infrastructure, so they can develop fine stress cracks that can release small amounts of water when system is developing some pressure.

I have found it useful sometimes to use some paper towels placed at strategic points to act as tell-tales on a dried assembly, as the mere hint of moisture will show up and give you a localized starting point before it can run elsewhere.

Good luck and let us know how you are getting on.

 

Thank you very much, I appreciate you taking the time to reply. I have looked for leaks, but but I haven't put in the real effort that I probably should so I will revisit the search for leaks and will let you know what's going on as I find out. It's just so frustrating because it's so cold this time of year and I live in am apartment complex that has no garages so that really limits what I can do at this time of year.

 

Summer here in the southern hemisphere, but I can imagine your difficulty in winter without a covered workspace.

 

Charliie, coolant in the plug wells, huh, normally people get oil in there. What I would tell you to do is to get some Simple Green and spray the tops of the valve covers as well as you can and then gently pour some water over the valve covers. This will minimize any possibility of water getting into the plug wells. drive the car for say20 miles and then pull out a black light. Newer coolants have a flourescent dye in them and this should make finding the coolant leak a lot easier to find as you can simply chase the glow path back. Then it is a matter of looking up at certain points to see if you have a leak at a joint. If you had just recently pressure washed the engine, then I would give the engine a few hard pulls to build up some heat and evaporate away the water and then you should be fine. Modern day engines should not be pressure washed near the coils/plugs. Lots of bad things happen.

 

That is an awesome idea. Thank you, I'll see about trying that. The more I think about it, the more a coolant leak is really all that makes since...

 

Charliie, normally, after some maintenance, the seals on the valve cover will start to give and this results in oil making it into the plug wells. This will ground out a plug or two and result in the rough idle/misfires that you are seeing. Normally if it is water, the car will idle rough for a few minutes until the engine warms up, then the water evaporates and then the motor runs fine.