engine missing?

[lotz6996]

installed new distributor cap and rotor and now it doesnt sound like it is idling right. ive tried pulling the plug wires while running to figure out what cylinders and they all drop off when pulled but it makes less of a difference when i pull the wires for 1. i also put in all new spark plugs.

[00siboy]

Any check engine light? Which engine?

[lotz6996]

d16z6 still only code 41 for the o2 sensor. it had an exhaust leak before but didnt sound like this the last time i drove it.

[JohnS.]

Removing a spark plug wire with the engine running is one of the best ways to blow the coil inside the distributor.

[obracer12]

^ that was going to be my statement. You may be getting weak spark off the coil and may need to replace/rebuild the distributor.

if it still misfires after that, I would start looking into a timing/fuel problem. Have seen the same thing with clogged or partially clogged injectors and with an adjustable cam gear slipping a little and throwing off the timing.

[cgpEJ6]

this thread title had potential to be something far more mysterious

[lotz6996]

pulled all of the plugs back out. and the one in 2 is wet and still looks new. so it is the one that is not firing. it is getting fuel because it is wet but its just not firing. any way to test the distributor. once again it ran fine before the cap and rotor replacement.

[lotz6996]

i got it.
<<<<this guy is a dumbass!!
i had the wires for 1 and 2 switched. not sure how i did that cause i even looked at a picture of the order while i was doing it. all good now.

[00siboy]

I've done that once, now I double check any car I work on lol.