Howdy All!
I am starting this thread for my buddy. He is going to register and join in.
My buddy has an 06 Caravan 3.8(?) maybe 3.6(?), you all know better than I. I just don't remember off hand. Anyway, the story:
He had an engine light on and found a bad wire. troubleshot with spray bottle of water in the dark....BIG BLUE spark. So he bought coil, wires and plugs. He replaced everything. Then ran better but still rough...Engine light not on but blinking. He bought it to the shop to get codes. I don't know the code but it is a random misfire as said by the guy who scanned it. My buddy will give up the code when he joins.
We discussed it and figured it had to be the coil. When we exchanged it we found the new one was different. It was wrapped up in a sealed bag and the coil itself was different in a few ways. Clearly not the same coil in the other box...Used as well!...anyway. He replaced the coil and still had the blinking engine light and rough driving. He pulled some plugs. I don't know the number but it is the one that is the most pain to get too....it was fouled out. He replaced it. Again it fouled right out. which brings us to the present.
Could the other coil (obviously was wrong and or broken) cause a rod to bend or something? What would case the one plug to foul right out every time?
We are out of ideas. Thoughts? Suggestions?
Thank you All for taking the time to read and think about it!
Copedawg

 

Fouled out in what way? Oily, white soot, black soot, smells like gas, gap smashed closed?

 

The piece of metal that is bent over that pulls the spark from the electrode. The electrode is on the bottom in the middle of the actual plug. I hope I explained it enough...I dunno how else to describe w/o a pic, lol. I think you have the idea...
That piece of metal is burnt off

 

OH! and thanks for replying so quickly!!! Thanks!

 

On the NEW plug too? How long does it take for that to happen?

 

yes sir the new plug too.
When he took out the 1st original plug it was fine...other than having a brazillion miles on it. Then after the "tune up" it ate the plug up. Then he replaced it again...and it ate it up again with in 10 minutes of driving...it shut off at a red light, it was running so poorly.
I don't think that plug it acting properly. Rocking when it should be Rolling or Rolling when should be Rocking, I dunno

 

Could a rod/valve get bent when the bad/wrong coil was on it?

 

OK, so my buddy got me the read out of codes and they are as follows:
P0300 Random Misfire Detected
P0300 Random Misfire Detected
P2097 Post Catalyst Fuel Trim System Too Rich Bank 1


He is telling me that when he gets up to cruising speed the roughness settles out/down and seems to cruise OK.


I asked him to pull the other plug to see if its all fouled up but he has been too busy today but he will as soon as he can.


Thanks again for All and Any input!!

 

P0300 is MULTIPLE misfire. Meaning that one cylinder is possibly messing up the entire bank. P2097, the cat just can't handle your rich condition from the dead cylinder.


It's all symptoms of whatever is fouling the plug. I would be looking at that coil pack and doing a compression test for starters. Look at the rest of the plugs, lay them out in order in 2 rows and scrutinize the condition of them.

 

Thank you TNtech!
I think a compression test is in order for sure. I think if we bring it to TrackAuto they will loan us the tester for use in their parking lot. I will keep you posted with what we find.
Thanks again for you input, you have been a BIG help!
Copedawg