Thread: Studdering, bad idle, and CEL. Please help!

The two pics below are the spark plugs I took out of my car after I experienced studdering and irregular rpm idling. Two of the spark plugs seem to be damaged at the tip and I'm wondering what could cause such damage and what damage this can do to the engine?
The car started studdering last night when I was driving home from work. A CEL came on that says cylinder 2 misfire. Today, I changed my spark plug wires and spark plugs, but the problem is still there. The car starts but idles from 1,200rpm and drops down to 800, 500, 200, 500, etc. I'm taking my car to a mechanic to get it checked soon, but wondering if someone here can help with the diagnosis.

I put in the ngk spark plugs and new belden wires from napa autoparts. Still has same problem.

Your car is misfiring for a reason. Try to install the new plugs (gapped at .29-.31), new wires, and reset the ECU by removing the positive terminal on your battery for 10 seconds to see if you can clear the CEL code. Then drive it again and post back.

are you sure those tips melted back and didn't break off? :shock: WHOA! Are those champion spark plugs?!?! lol I ran those one time in my talon and they lasted about 3 hours.

Originally Posted by Robert GST

are you sure those tips melted back and didn't break off? :shock: WHOA! Are those champion spark plugs?!?! lol I ran those one time in my talon and they lasted about 3 hours.

yea uh that second pic looks like the tip of the plug is completely gone... :shock:

Originally Posted by boostedAWD

Originally Posted by Robert GST

are you sure those tips melted back and didn't break off? :shock: WHOA! Are those champion spark plugs?!?! lol I ran those one time in my talon and they lasted about 3 hours.

yea uh that second pic looks like the tip of the plug is completely gone... :shock:

it is :)

Originally Posted by mygst95

Your car is misfiring for a reason. Try to install the new plugs (gapped at .29-.31), new wires, and reset the ECU by removing the positive terminal on your battery for 10 seconds to see if you can clear the CEL code. Then drive it again and post back.

New ngk spark plugs are in the car, and belden spark plug wires I bought from napa autoparts. Also disconnected the battery for over 10 seconds then reconnected it. Drove the car for a little bit in the parking lot and still has same problem. I cleared the CEL with the logger and it hasn't alerted of another CEL. The car is still stuttering/shaking but the idle seems to be stable from the short amount of tme I drove it in the lot.

Yes, those were champion spark plugs. The only reason I bought those is because kragen is out of ngk and almost everything else. I should've went to napa to buy the spark plugs.

Originally Posted by boostineclipse

Mine was like that for sometime.. even after changin all the plugs/wires numerous times. Did you do a compression test yet? If not, do one. Mine ended up being a hole in one of the valves.

Trying to get a compression tester right now. The problem is that the Eclipse is my only ride. I called the local places in town and they don't seem to have the tester. I'll try again tomorrow morning to see if I can find a ride and a place that has it.