Check Engine Light Codes Discussion

[hondaguy214]

Depends on where the maf sensor is set in the pipe if you have an 06-07. And if it doesn't sit deep enough in the pipe.

[AccordEX]

It's a intake.

[striktlyaccord]

Looks like he has an '04.  That model year even have a MAF sensor?

[Pascal]

The californian's do have one for the low emission vehicules.

[AccordEX]

Yeah. I tried restarting the sensor, it disappeared for sometime.

[ikethegreat]

Gentlemen, on the way home from work today, I was cruising on the highway at about 70 mph and my CEL started flashing.  The engine started sounding very weird, kinda like a gurgling sound.  I managed to get her home with no issues.  I went out and got a code scanner and it came back with P0305 - Cylinder 5 misfire.  Other than checking the spark plug (replaced them 30k ago), what should I do? 

[timot_one]

Check the plugs, cool packs and wiring. If that doesn't work, check your valve lash.

[ikethegreat]

I don't have a spark plug socket so I can't remove the plug tonight but the coil pack is dirty as hell and cracked at the tip.  The plug hole is filled with crude.  How bad is it? 

[timot_one]

Hard to say.  I'd pull the plug and see what condition it's in.  If it looks fine, swap coil packs with another cylinder and see if the problem moves to the other cylinder.

[ikethegreat]

The tip of the spark plug is missing..... I bought a new spark plug and coil pack.  Should I put them in and try it or am I fucked?

[timot_one]

Well, there's your problem.  Before doing anything else, I would see if Auto Zone or Advance Auto has a borescope that you can use to see inside your combustion chamber.  That way you can check if there are any pieces in there that may need to be fished out with a magnet.  You can also use a telescoping magnet to see if you can fish anything out, but you may not be able to get to any of the bits (if there are any).  If there are any bigger pieces that can't get out through the spark plug hole, you'll need to pull the head off.  At that point, there will probably be a bit of damage from loose metal getting slammed around your combustion chamber. 

[Pascal]

If you were extremely lucky, maybe it went out of the chamber to the exhaust and didn't cause any serious damage. Never heard of a missing spark plug tip, is that a common issue ? Do you know how old the spark plugs were? they look kind of old

[ikethegreat]

The spark plug had only about 30k on it.  I used a magnetic rod and couldn't fish anything out. Couldn't see anything in there either.  Replaced the plug and coil pack, and reset the CEL.  Started up fine and with no more check engine light.  The engine sounds pretty normal.  I drove it around for about 15 minutes with no problems.  Going to take it out on a longer trip now and see what happens.  I'm hoping the piece broke off and left before causing any serious problems. 

[ikethegreat]

What could possibly cause the tip of the plug to break off?  Manufacturing defect?

[timot_one]

Could have been a manufacturing defect.  Also could have been that the shop that installed them tried to gap them and damaged them.