Running horrible after headers install
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 687
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From: Medford, OR
Running horrible after headers install
After a nightmare of a headers install, my Bronco is now running terrible. It has no power, accelerates roughly, and sounds like it is going to die while idling. The only things I touched were things I had to disconnect to get the headers installed. The truck is barely driveable like it is and any help would be appreciated. The check engine light is not on. The guys in the Bronco forum suggested I ask around here.
Here is a link to my header trouble post:
Header Install Nightmare
Here is a link to my header trouble post:
Header Install Nightmare
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 687
Likes: 0
From: Medford, OR
How would I tell if a plug is broken or not? Would it be better just to replace the wires since I don't know how old they are? I hate to throw more money into this project as it has become way more expensive than I had planned for already. What is a good brand of plug wire to go with? Also, my Haynes manual says to use a torque wrench to install the plugs, but does not say how much torque to use. How tight should they be in there? Thanks.
Last edited by Wakeboarder141; Mar 21, 2004 at 11:14 AM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,964
Likes: 1
From: Woodruff, SC
You don't need to use a torque wrench on the plugs just tighten them good and that should be sufficiant. If a plug is cracked sometimes you can see the crack and other times it's so fine a crack that you wont see it. Also the plug might be cracked below the seat where you wont be able to see it at all.
personally i would do a visual inspect all wires and plug boots first. Look for cuts,burns and in the boots look and see if the area that clips on the plug is'nt broken. As for plugs they're not that expensive i would go ahead and replace them.
personally i would do a visual inspect all wires and plug boots first. Look for cuts,burns and in the boots look and see if the area that clips on the plug is'nt broken. As for plugs they're not that expensive i would go ahead and replace them.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,964
Likes: 1
From: Woodruff, SC
The popularity if those plugs around here is about a 50/50 split. I tried them once and it made my truck run horrible. Thats one plug that i will never run in any of my vehicles!
I still think your problem lies in the ignition ie:wires or plugs eTc. Unless you pinched or broke a wire somewhere.
I still think your problem lies in the ignition ie:wires or plugs eTc. Unless you pinched or broke a wire somewhere.
Last edited by TheWiz427; Mar 21, 2004 at 04:12 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 687
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From: Medford, OR
The problem seems to be a lot more pronounced when heavy on the gas. If I accelerate slowly it isn't as bad. One thing I noticed is I don't think my Y pipe is torqued down very well and I can hear a pretty good sized exhaust leak. Would that cause problems to the way the truck is running or is the ignition thing more likely? I hate to throw money into new plugs when these ones are brand new. If I do end up needing to replace the plugs, what is a better brand? Thanks.
Last edited by Wakeboarder141; Mar 21, 2004 at 05:02 PM.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Wichita KS
if u think it is an ignition prob take a crayon and make a mark on all the primary tubes of the headders when they are cold. Then start the engine and run it for long enough to get the headders warm then shut it off. Look at the crayon marks and you can tell what holes are firing or not by the way the crayon is melted on the tubes. then chase the offending plugs and wires. other than that i would check out the cat, u might have knocked some rust loose out of the pipe and got lodged in the cat plugging it up, but just a thought!