Number one and four coil failure

Good morning,

It sounds like the oil is leaking from the valve cover seals and getting to the wire ends. that will force the coil to max output and will fail.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-valve-cover-gasket

Did none of the techs tell you about the oil leak?

Roy

None of the techs told me about this but I observed on my own that the spark plugs for number one and number four are always slightly wet with oil each time I remove them for inspection. the other two and three are only having slight dried carbon (I hope you get my point as I may not be using the right terms). I find your response useful, but what should I do to rectify this problem once and for all? again, do you thing the problem could equally be connected to a faulty plug wire? thanks for your prompt response. kind regards.

Yes, the plug wires are failing due to the oil in the well.

Replace the valve cover gasket with the seals.

Roy

Do I need to change the coil, plug wires and spark plugs after replacing the valve cover gasket and the seal? and to add, I once personally observed current escaping from coil 1 to coil 4. the current from coil 1 was strong while the one from coil 4 was weak. I observed closely and noticed that there was a breakage on plug wire head 1 from where the current was escaping. I sealed it afterwards, anyway. I'm adding this extra information with the hope of helping you help me find a solution to the problem. thanks again for your prompt response.

After the gasket is done, yes, I would replace the parts again as they are contaminated by the oil.

You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy

Sir, should I exclusively key in to the valve cover gasket and seal replacement as a solution to the problem or is there another possible cause to the problem that I need to know about? Appreciate your great concern.

I am here and not there. I base my advice on your input.

From what you told me, I would replace the valve cover gasket and seals and also the coil and wires.

Roy

You've been quite helpful, Roy. I hope to let you know how I go with it. Kind regards.

You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy

Hello Roy, I thought I should ask about something extra I just remembered. As I remember, the first two coil failure I experienced with the car were accompanied by fuel pump failure. Do you think this were simply coincidence or the coil failure triggered the fuel pump malfunction? Thanks.

That was a coincidence. A failing coil will not cause a fuel pump failure.

Roy

Hello Roy,

it has been a while. I've fixed the coil, changed the plug wire and spark plugs . The car is working fine now. will be observing the car closely to check for a re-occurrence (I do hope it doesn't occur again, though). Thanks and I'll always keep you updated.
Kind regards.

Forgot to mention that I replaced the valve cover gasket like you advised.

Hello Roy. I thought I should let you know. After following your advice to fix the car I've not had a related reoccurrence. I'm still observing the car, however as using it for long without a reoccurrence will actually indicate a permanent solution to the problem. Once again, thanks. Kind regards.

Your welcome

Always glad to help

Roy

Hello Roy,

Having used the car for this long without a recurrent issue, I've finally concluded that your solution to the problem was indeed a nib in the bud. I really appreciate this. However, a new problem has just surfaced and I hope you'll be of help.
The new problem is, car just stopped all of a sudden and wouldn't start but fans keep rolling. The first tech simply cleaned the spark plugs and replaced them then car started again but the same issue reoccurred after a while. Second tech changed the nozzle then car started but the same problem reoccurred. My observation is this, when the car stops, it restarts again much later even without any repair. I think the two techs are yet to get the real problem. I've checked to make sure the problem has nothing to do with the fueling system as the fuel pump is working fine. I need your help once again.

To add to the above, the car stopped last night and wouldn't start. I left the car and went home afoot. The next morning I went back to the car and tried it again and it started without delay. I'm just not confident enough to take it out with my family with this sort of issue. thanks.

Hello again,

I would start by checking the actual fuel pressure when it will not start. Sounds like a fuel delivery issue.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Ry

Thanks again for the reply. If you don't mind, might I add some more info about the problem. About the fuel pressure, the mechanic actually confirmed that the pressure was okay but not with the fuel pressure gauge you talked about. He merely loosened a hose and inspected the fuel supply and told me the pressure was okay. This was before I sent you this mail.
Just to let you know, the car starts normally. This morning I warmed it and it was okay. it started well. But, it's like after it has run for a while, say some miles, it shuts down and wouldn't start until much later. this is what I observed. I am still going to consider the fuel pressure issue ( I'm yet to see my tech). But I felt I should let you know about this other issues with the car perhaps you may have something more to add. Just saying, do you think it could be a sensor related problem?
Thanks for the attention.

That test was not accurate at all. You need a specific pressure and needs to be checked with a proper gauge.

Are there any codes?

He needs to do the correct diagnostic when it will not start.

Roy

Hey Roy.

I'm yet to check the fuel pressure like you advised because my tech is not available. He'll need to come over to my house to run the test. But just to let you know, still, I've taken the car out in the past three days but on very very short drive. The car didn't give any problem as mentioned before. However, I'm not confidence enough to take it on long drive, say to my work place, because I'm not sure of the car. Is it suppose to allow these drives even with the problem? And, just to know, supposing the fuel pressure is actually the problem then what would be the solution?
Thanks.

If the fuel pressure is the issue, you will need a fuel pump.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-electric-fuel-pump

Roy

Hello Roy,

I instructed my tech to replace the fuel pump like you suggested. He was still considering something else as the culprit but I insisted on the fuel pump so he went ahead to replace it and that actually solved the issue. I've used the car for a week straight and no recurrence of the problem. I'm so grateful Roy. Again, thanks a mil.

Hello Roy. I think I'm beginning to have issues with the fuel consumption. I think the car is consuming more fuel than it's necessary. I have also observed of late that the rev is usually high when I'm going on slow( say driving through many potholes). What could be the culprit here? Thanks.

It could be the transmission shift points. Does the transmission shift at the correct speed?

You may want to service it first.

Roy

Thanks for the reply. But I might have been hastily in the post. I'm sorry for this. The deception into thinking the car was consuming too much fuel was because of the fuel gauge that stopped working. Actually, the car stopped while I was going to work. I thought it was fuel. After work I came with fuel but decided to try the car before putting the fuel. I was surprised to find out that the car started. It turned out that there was fuel in the car. Why did it stop? I asked myself. The way it stopped was like the last issue that's got to do with the fuel pump. I called my mechanic and told him he's got to change the fuel pump. He said that he would check the fuel filter for blockage. I expressed doubt (I might be wrong though) that it could be fuel filter since car would eventually start well just like it did with the previous fuel pump. I have intended to ask him to replace the fuel pump. I do hope you see it this way too. If you think otherwise, I'll appreciate your advice. My question, however, is, is there something that could potentially be ruining fuel pump in cars? I hope I'm explicit enough. Sorry for the long write up. Kind regards.

Okay, first a clogged furl filter will not stop a car from starting. There is a bypass.

I don't know if it will fix it. It is an expensive guess. I would have your guy test the fuel pressure before condemning it.

Roy

Yea, but to the question, is there likely anything that can be causing damage to fuel pump? Supposing the fuel pump has gone bad again. Unless it was a coincidence. Because in the last one year I've had fuel pump changed like four times.
Robin.

What brands of pumps?

Roy

Not sure. But I know they were of different makes. Anyway, I had the fuel pump checked by two other mechanics. They said that the fuel pump has no fault as the pressure was okay. But I wished I knew what made the car stopped only to start well much later. Please Roy tell me, is it possible that the fuel pump could have failed only to work well much later? Or, do you think something else apart from the fuel pump could have been the culprit? Thanks.

Yes. The pump can fail at times. It needs to be checked when it happens.

Roy

Okay, thanks. I'll check immediately something similar happens again. Kind regards.

You are welcome.

Roy

Hello Roy
Still on the issue of the pump, I observed two similar scenarios. First the car was on a slanted position (two left tyres were on a raised platform while the other two were on a lower platform). It was on idle. I observed that there was no power as the gas pedal didn't respond well. Then eventually car went off and wouldn't start. But when I brought the car to a plain ground, it started well again and the gas pedal produced enough power. I returned the car to the slanted position just to be sure and the same thing happened. The same thing happened a few days later again. There was enough fuel, in case you may want to know. Would it be wise to still believe it is a fuel pump related issue?
Robin.

Did you check the fuel pressure in the slant position and the flat position?

Roy

No, I didn't. It was at home and my mech wasn't available.

Let me know when you have it checked.

Roy

I just checked pressure when car is slanted and when in flat position. Pressure is low when slanted but high when on flat. And same like I said before. Car loses power when slanted but revs well when on flat.
Robin.

Okay, you have an issue inside the tank. Sounds like a baffle is broken and allowing the fuel to run to the front of the tank and uncovering the pick up for the pump.

Roy

Okay, I wouldn't say I quite got you. But with what you just said, what would be the next step? What should I do now? Thanks.
Robin.