Misfire, what does spark plugs say? (Photos)

[G_Raw]

Today I started getting rough idle and drop in rpms. Engine didn't stall. CEL illuminated. Scan gauge gave me pending p0300, p0303, p0306.

My online FSM for 3rd gens says the codes in order are, "multiple misfire ", "Misfire cylinder 3", "Misfire cylinder 6".

Chilton manual I have says cylinder 2 and 5.

Obviously I trust the FSM. So I swapped the coil pack from cylinder 3 position to cylinder 1 position.

Codes are no longer pending. Now just p0300 and p0306 present.

How many miles do I drive before I consider it a true cylinder 6 misfire ? ( i.e. code doesnt change to suggest it followed the coil pack). Or should I clear the codes and see if it comes back to the same cylinder 6 vs cylinder 1 and 4?

Edit:
I originally posted this 2 posts down. But I am waiting for my ECU to cycle through and throw a code again to see if the misfire moves cylinders since a moved coil packs around. I now hear a clicking in my driver side valve cover. The plug in view of the video is cylinder 4. It is not the misfiring cylinder but offered enough space to get phone close enough to pick up the clicking in the valve cover over the noise of the fans and engine.

YouTube

I'm still thinking it's the fuel injectors now. Code p0306 came back as pending, but no misfire occurred. So I had a few minutes to pull a couple plugs. What do they say?

First two photos are the plug from cylinder 6 ( the misfire cylinder).

Second two are the plug from cylinder ( no misfire)

 

[19963.4lsr5]

How long has it been since you replaced plugs and wires?

Too long driving with misfires will melt your CAT


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[G_Raw]

Forgot to mention that part. Changed plugs and wires using NGK parts for both back in February.

Yea I'm concerned about my CAT for sure. Misfire began on freeway about 35 miles from home. So I have to do that distance going 50 to 60 mph with the misfire to get home But I've only taken it around the block since then after changing coil pack position...

Update:
As i sit here running the truck randomly through the neighborhood wondering if the misfire will change cylinder with the coil pack swap I began to hear a clicking. It sounds as if it is coming from the driver side valve cover. Spark plug in the video is of cylinder 4. It was the cylinder that allowed me to get the phone closest to the cover ,not the one that has the misfire, to ensure the clicking noise would be picked up over the engine and fan noise.

Is this the sound of a failing injector?

YouTube

Thoughts?

 

[Majkmichael]

Forgot to mention that part. Changed plugs and wires using NGK parts for both back in February.

Yea I'm concerned about my CAT for sure. Misfire began on freeway about 35 miles from home. So I have to do that distance going 50 to 60 mph with the misfire to get home But I've only taken it around the block since then after changing coil pack position...

Update:
As i sit here running the truck randomly through the neighborhood wondering if the misfire will change cylinder with the coil pack swap I began to hear a clicking. It sounds as if it is coming from the driver side valve cover. Spark plug in the video is of cylinder 4. It was the cylinder that allowed me to get the phone closest to the cover ,not the one that has the misfire, to ensure the clicking noise would be picked up over the engine and fan noise.

Is this the sound of a failing injector?

YouTube

Thoughts?

You might have a loose spark plug rattling around and not igniting correctly. Check the plugs on that side see how tight they are and how they look

 

[G_Raw]

Checked plugs seem tight. This is the second time I have felt a misfire. It only occurs after driving at freeway speeds for 30 miles or so. Then the next day starts up no problem... as long as I'm driving around town no misfire for weeks, if I go on the freeway for long distance misfire occurs.

Here is the plug from cylinder six, the misfire cylinder...
And the plug from cylinder two, no misfire. (Plant in background of photo is cylinder 2).

 

[MaineRunna]

The clicking you here in the driver's side valve cover is most likely the sound of the spark leaking out of the spark plug wire and arcing into the spark plug tube. I don't know why, but I find that the driver's side plugs tend to carbon track and leak spark into the tube. Those are also the wrong plugs for your 4Runner. You should replace them with the correct duel ground electrode NGK's and a new set of wires.

 

[twitchee2]

You have the wrong plugs. Install the correct dual electrode plugs and try again.

 

[T4R2014]

Wrong plugs.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

Did you replace the slip on boots on the coil packs or just the plug wires.

In the dead of night start your engine and lift your hood and look for sparks coming from the plug wires.


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[sweet88gt]

I don't have any useful advice but have the same saga going on 3 months. Ill follow this thread to see what your outcome is.

If you get bored here is the thread. Warning long read

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/283856-lets-talk-tests.html?highlight=sweet88gt

 

[gamefreakgc]

Could also be a valve tap. That's very similar to a sound I had two years ago. It promptly spat out a shim and killed my engine. I'm not saying yours is going to but I would highly recommend a compression check. If compression in all 6 cylinders is good, you can rule out the valve train and it's either spark or fuel at this point (most likely spark).

 

[G_Raw]

All right! All right! Rookie move, didnt catch the single eltrode plug difference when i swapped plugs. Haha, that's what I got you folks for. Today i put Toyota plugs in as well as wires. When I re-inspected after everyone yelled at me I found the boot at cylinder 6 also had a tear in it. At idle in driveway already sounds smoother. I worked a grave last night so now I sleep, when I get off tonight's grave I'll take it for a long freeway run to see how things go.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

All right! All right! Rookie move, didnt catch the single eltrode plug difference when i swapped plugs. Haha, that's what I got you folks for. Today i put Toyota plugs in as well as wires. When I re-inspected after everyone yelled at me I found the boot at cylinder 6 also had a tear in it. At idle in driveway already sounds smoother. I worked a grave last night so now I sleep, when I get off tonight's grave I'll take it for a long freeway run to see how things go.

That rip or burn mark will do it. And the snap of the spark can sound like a valve tick.

When I bought the 96 it had iridiums in it. I noticed zero difference putting the EK plugs in later.


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