Discussion
Each time you remove a plug lead that's firing the revs will drop and they'll rise when you refit the lead. When you come to a lead that's not sparking or has a duff plug the revs won't change when you pulloff the lead or refit it. Be very careful because there are a lot of volts so wear gloves and use some pliers. Also watch out for the hot exhaust pipe.
No nead to lift the lead very far from the plug either, just an inch will do it.
No nead to lift the lead very far from the plug either, just an inch will do it.
I have checked the plugs on a cold engine. One seems to be a little wobbly although it may just be me imagining it. I have pushed them all on securely. When i start the car its very lumpy as if there's a lumpy cam fitted, when i know the cams stock.
When its running it sounds ok but really i wouldn't know if it was missing a cylinder.
There are no codes coming up to be able to tell you. It just reminds me of back in the day when you started a car and knew it needed tuning(although i know it doesn't)
Next visit to Roger we'll get the plugs changed as not sure if they've been done yet, but that's not for a few weeks yet. I don't really know what i'm looking or listening for. It just doesn't sound right when i start it
When its running it sounds ok but really i wouldn't know if it was missing a cylinder.
There are no codes coming up to be able to tell you. It just reminds me of back in the day when you started a car and knew it needed tuning(although i know it doesn't)
Next visit to Roger we'll get the plugs changed as not sure if they've been done yet, but that's not for a few weeks yet. I don't really know what i'm looking or listening for. It just doesn't sound right when i start it
Boosted's method above is tried and tested. The plugs should be very well insulated but doesn't hurt to have extra protection 
Start off with the one you suspect to be wobbly and just fire up the engine, let it settle then pull the plug lead off. 1 missing cylinder is bad but if the spark is good and the engine is then on 6 you'll know it's fine.
Other suspects would be water in the plugs - best thing to do is switch off the engine and pull out the plugs and have a look. Water makes them coke up badly and a good attacking with a wire brush can help here.
With the cars I've worked on (non hsv) the misfire trouble codes won't come on outside of a specific operating range. For example, a cold engine at idle probably won't trip the misfire detection. If it's not too bad see if you can run it round the block and try to keep to a steady throttle and speed.
Without sounding too alarmist, you do need to be carful when you have a spark problem as unburnt fuel can get into the cat's if you still have them fitted. It'll make them run very very hot.
Start off with the one you suspect to be wobbly and just fire up the engine, let it settle then pull the plug lead off. 1 missing cylinder is bad but if the spark is good and the engine is then on 6 you'll know it's fine.
Other suspects would be water in the plugs - best thing to do is switch off the engine and pull out the plugs and have a look. Water makes them coke up badly and a good attacking with a wire brush can help here.
With the cars I've worked on (non hsv) the misfire trouble codes won't come on outside of a specific operating range. For example, a cold engine at idle probably won't trip the misfire detection. If it's not too bad see if you can run it round the block and try to keep to a steady throttle and speed.
Without sounding too alarmist, you do need to be carful when you have a spark problem as unburnt fuel can get into the cat's if you still have them fitted. It'll make them run very very hot.
I wouldn't drive it until you get someone to have a listen thats knows what they're looking for in case you're doing some damage with something more serious than a dodgy lead. Arent there a few people local to you that could pop by and give you some advice? Maybe let you swap over the leads from their car to see if it is just that? Hopefully its nothing more serious than a dodgy lead. Have you had the headers fitted yet - could be a lead got damaged during that process? None of them have twisted and are lying against the headers?
Thanks for all the advice I've just been out to the car a fiddled with the plugs and leads a bit. Like i say i don't know what i'm doing. At one end of the lead(the top part) there's a block of some sort with wires attached and at the lower end (where i guess the plugs are) they have an outer metal casing. Which end do the plugs go in. I think its the lower end. As i say i don't know what i'm doing. There's an Evo specialist in Prestatyn, i think i'll get him to have a listen. I'll let you know how i get on
I've just been out to the car a fiddled with the plugs and leads a bit. Like i say i don't know what i'm doing. At one end of the lead(the top part) there's a block of some sort with wires attached and at the lower end (where i guess the plugs are) they have an outer metal casing. Which end do the plugs go in. I think its the lower end. As i say i don't know what i'm doing. There's an Evo specialist in Prestatyn, i think i'll get him to have a listen. I'll let you know how i get onThe spark plugs are at the lower end of the lead, hidden under the metal tube. You grab the tube low down and give it a tug. It should pull off the plug. Don't pull hard on the lead itself.
Try doing it on a lead at the front of the car so you can see what it looks like. It's really quite easy but you may need to give it a little tug. The spark plug underneath is white and made from porcelain. It has a metal tip on top that conducts the electricity through the plug and into the engine. You'll see that the porcelains ribbed. The ribs are what keeps the plug lead/boot attached to the plug.
Try doing it on a lead at the front of the car so you can see what it looks like. It's really quite easy but you may need to give it a little tug. The spark plug underneath is white and made from porcelain. It has a metal tip on top that conducts the electricity through the plug and into the engine. You'll see that the porcelains ribbed
. The ribs are what keeps the plug lead/boot attached to the plug.
Pleeeeeeeezzzzzzzzeeeee keeep it simple
I've driven the car to a local garage in town(subaru specialist) and he said it does seem to be a bit overly lumpy. It's also running rich (smell that fuel
) even when up to temps. He suggested we leave it with him so he can hook it up to some diagnostics thingy, let the engine cool and then see what reading it comes up with in the morning. I'm not overly keen on this idea and Col is even less so, so i'm non the wiser. I am going to try and pull a lead off as suggested by boosted(i think) and have a look. Oh lord help me. Do Monkfish do call outs
I've driven the car to a local garage in town(subaru specialist) and he said it does seem to be a bit overly lumpy. It's also running rich (smell that fuel
) even when up to temps. He suggested we leave it with him so he can hook it up to some diagnostics thingy, let the engine cool and then see what reading it comes up with in the morning. I'm not overly keen on this idea and Col is even less so, so i'm non the wiser. I am going to try and pull a lead off as suggested by boosted(i think) and have a look. Oh lord help me. Do Monkfish do call outsHi Mel, just a suggestion but have you got any American Car Specialists near where you are who are familar with the in's and out's of a V8 you could call, even a limo place? , or, have you got AA/RAC, if so, run it to a local Supermarket, quick phone call, lone female, car sounding funny, can someone come out !! you know, that old chestnut. They may not much about a V8 but should know the usual things to check, even if you tell them the engine won't start, of course when they turn the key and it does, batter the eye lids and just play stupid ! Obvioulsy your not, you own a Monaro 
Thanks tattoo No effort required from me though to act stupid It comes naturally
There's nowhere near here and TBH I'd rather the AA/RAC grease-monkey not poke around in my engine.
I have had a lengthy conversation with Roger(the fish) and have a pretty good idea what to do if needed and what to be looking for. Sound as though it could be a faulty O2 sensor. If it gives off any of the more severe signs i wont drive it
No effort required from me though to act stupid It comes naturally There's nowhere near here and TBH I'd rather the AA/RAC grease-monkey not poke around in my engine.
I have had a lengthy conversation with Roger(the fish) and have a pretty good idea what to do if needed and what to be looking for. Sound as though it could be a faulty O2 sensor. If it gives off any of the more severe signs i wont drive it
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