Engine sounds like it's misfiring while accelerating

[ericem]

Hey guys. I am trying to figure out why my car is using so much fuel. I get maybe 300km to a tank. Car feels very sluggish, especially off the line the motor is completely dead and with the windows open the engine sounds like its misfiring. Today I figured why not replace the pcv system as it was leaking and now idle is smoother yet still power isn't there. I also put in that new $100 bpv and it made 0 difference woot.

Only thing atm that is a issue is no speedometer. I verified its the transmission but it is odd that if I accelerate its fine it's as soon as I let off the throttle and I guess the engine moves a bit it drops off. Thinking stripped gears in the tranny but I am replacing the tranny soon anyway.

I don't know if I have to high of expectations of this car stock, but off the line it doesn't really move like I would expect a car with a tiny turbo. Also has a bellmouth 3" dp.

Plan for tomorrow is to replace the coil pack and spark plugs. Currently the plugs are ngk iridiums has that pointed tip on the plug didn't verify the part # though last time I checked them. Is it possible someone installed a different heat range?

[Apex3]

300km to a tank, what do you consider a tank? Put that in MPG.

Mine's pretty sluggish off the line as well, and I get about 18mpg around town , 25 highway which seems pretty normal for this car.

I could have told you it wasn't a bpv problem, that wouldn't make a difference until you're at least in boost. Have you replaced all the normal routine maintenance kind of stuff? Distributor cap/rotor, fuel filter, 02 sensor maybe, that kind of stuff? And I was under the impression copper plugs were better for these cars, maybe try that, they're cheap, and if you don't know when they were last replaced you probably should do it anyway

*Keep in mind these are just suggestions for things to check, I still don't know a whole lot about these cars. But they're things that should be done anyway IMO even if they aren't the problem in question.

[ericem]

300km to like 50-52L. Even in boost doesn't really go faster. Tomorrow going to try new copper plugs see how it acts, then the coil.

[Legacy777]

Fix your speedometer issue. The ECU will go into limp mode when it does not receive a signal from the vehicle speed sensor, which is inside your speedometer.

Don't bother doing anything else, until you fix your speedometer.

[sobe_death]

Ah you beat me to it! I was driving mine with the cable disconnected to test the illumination in the instruments and it ran like total carp until I plugged the cable back in.

[ericem]

You guys are totally right. I still replaced the plugs car runs nice. I noticed when the speedometer would work, I could floor it and the car takes off like a turbo car should so your definitely right. Also put some royal purple 5w-30 engine sounds smoother.

Replacing the tranny friday night because it won't lockup on the highway and this speedometer issue. Really sucks, still don't understand why the speedometer only works while accelerating, yet as SOON as I let off, bam drops to 0. Sometimes doesn't work at all unless I have been driving for a while.

[Legacy777]

Replacing the tranny friday night because it won't lockup on the highway and this speedometer issue. Really sucks, still don't understand why the speedometer only works while accelerating, yet as SOON as I let off, bam drops to 0. Sometimes doesn't work at all unless I have been driving for a while.

The lockup is due to not having the speedometer input. So don't replace the tranny because of that. If you have to replace it to fix the speedo, that's understandable. The speedo cable hooks up to the front diff. I'm assuming you've pulled the base piece off and looked at it to make sure it's working, and jacked up the car to verify that the speedo drive gear is not spinning?

[ericem]

the speedo used to work and it would only lockup for a short time. Still locks up without a speedo but doesnt stay locked up. The tranny also makes clattering noises idling i have a few spare trannys.

[07Evolved]

i might have the exact same problem...mine has recently started to misfire and "hesitate" upon acceleration. ericem, what kind of copper plugs did you get? thank you.

[ericem]

Just tell the guy your car, or go to the dealership OEM's are coppers. Car is definitely more spirited off the line and so is fuel economy. I think my biggest issue is the tranny. I got my speedo to work off the line though so at least I have awd.

Will swap in the tranny probably this friday.

[07Evolved]

Just tell the guy your car, or go to the dealership OEM's are coppers. Car is definitely more spirited off the line and so is fuel economy. I think my biggest issue is the tranny. I got my speedo to work off the line though so at least I have awd.

Will swap in the tranny probably this friday.

Ok, thank you very much. I will probably try both the auto parts store and the stealership to see what they have. I hope this fixes my problem. I bought those E3 spark plugs about a month ago and that might be it...I just read on here that everyone says they are crap. I really hope it is something simple.

[ericem]

Ya those plugs suck. I remember guys here with wrx's were trying them and there engines were running soo crappy after installing them. Supposedly they you would need to run a different heat range. Not 100% sure how to make them work regardless in the end pretty sure the agreement was coppers ftw.

[07Evolved]

Ya those plugs suck. I remember guys here with wrx's were trying them and there engines were running soo crappy after installing them. Supposedly they you would need to run a different heat range. Not 100% sure how to make them work regardless in the end pretty sure the agreement was coppers ftw.

Thanks dude...I hope this works because my car is running like crap right now. If this doesn't work, I have no idea.

[07Evolved]

CAR IS RUNNING LIKE A NEWBORN PUP...and I couldn't be more stoked. You guys were right, those E3 plugs are straight up crap! I just installed some NGK coppers and man what a difference! It is so smooth now and definitely has more pick up power and mine is still N/A.

Thank you ericem and to everyone on this thread...it was truly helpful!

[ericem]

Nice man! My car is also driving pretty good with coppers.