Ok so I finally have a chance at working on the car...

I have taken out the 3 driver's side plugs and COPs and am cleaning them. Plug for # 4 is all BLACK. The tip has a LOT of carbon deposit on it.

I am trying to open the passenger's side but its taking forever. I have the pin and nut off the COP for cylinder # 1 but the other wires in the way are making it impossible to remove.

Another thing I noticed while driving my car this week...

Cold starts - one cylinder (# 4) is obviously misfiring but the car runs better
Once car warms up - I get the multiple misfire (blinking CEL) when I accelerate past 2000 RPM or go up hill etc. Basically I give the engine anymore than 'normal' load and the light starts blinking. Can this mean its the fuel injector going bad?

Lastly, every day when I drive to work (7 miles) once I get out of the car it smell like someone ripped a nasty one right in my face. Rotten eggs style smell from the exhaust. I know this is caused when the catalyic convertor is burning the unburnt fuel due to the misfires and cant work fast enough to control the gases being emitted. Should I be really worried?

 

So after watching the youtube video on changing spark plugs I was able to change all 3 passenger side plugs.

Since the passenger side valve cover is bone dry I swapped all 3 driver's side COPs and put them on the passenger's side.

However, I still get the P0304 code :X:X!!!!

Now I see white smoke coming out of the outer exhaust tip (the one closer to the edge of the dual tip) and the smoke goes away after the car is warm.

Also I was sitting there revving the car and every time I let go of the gas pedal I hear small cracker like noise from the exhaust and a crank from the engine.

Did I blow the head gasket?!?!?!

 

Another update and this one seems like a BAD one

So I still get P0304 error

However, now the car smokes like crazy! Whitish blue smoke from the exhaust and a LOT of it! When I am driving in the morning it smokes a lot, enough to be noticed in the rear view mirror

Also I just replaced the PCV valve and noticed that the old one was super dark. A lot of black crap in the hose as well.

Lastly, I checked the plugs for # 2 & 4 cylinders for ***** and giggles and guess what? The # 2 plug looked normal and you can tell it was recently replaced. The # 4 plug was all black! WTF! You can tell the tip was covered in oil.

 

bump

Now the white smoke continues to come from the exhaust while a very unique odor. I can't really tell what it is but it sure as hell doesn't smell sweet (which would suggest coolant burning)

I did put some Rislone fuel injector cleaner on my last 3/4th fill up but the white smoke was coming before that. However, it has increased since I put that **** in

 

double post

 

bump - getting VC (driver's side) replaced tomorrow. I googled my problem (cylinder 4 misfire, CEL blinks when I go over 2000rpms, and the #4 plug get covered in oil and fuel) and someone with an Audi had a similar issue and it ended up being the fuel injector for the cylinder.

Question: Can I replace just one fuel injector in my car or is this one of those u replace one u have to replace all type part?

 

yet another update: misfire in cylinder 4 is most likely being caused by a problem with the valve. Had the compression test done and I was told #4 got 30psi which basically means that cylinder is dead and not firing at all.

So I guess I can put the wiring, fuel injector, fuel line, spark plug or COPs causes to rest but now I don't know what to do.

He said to fix the valve it would cost about 2500 and also said that on a 130K engine it might not be worth it.

 

Get a quote from a few shops on fixing the problem. Then weigh that against quotes for a engine replacement. Try to find a low mileage DE and swap her in. It should be entirely straight forward. Hope things work out for you!

 

How did he confirm it is a valve and not a head gasket?

 

I agree. White smoke is usually a head gasket.

How's your oil? Does it look frothy and have coolant mixed in?

 

Nope

Plus the coolant level hasn't changed at all.

Another thing to note: I never checked my coolant level before and since I started having this problem I looked at the reservoir and it was very low so I filled it up PAST MAX (dont kno how to take the excess out ) But that level hasn't changed since. Its still past the MAX level so doesn't that rule out a blown head gasket?

Also did Rislone engine treatment thing... no change. Cleaned TB... no change

Anything else I should try? Found a guy selling a working motor and looking into that.

 

Bump.
What happen

 

UPDATE

I bought a replacement engine with 30k miles on it and had it replaced. Since its a Northeast car the engine swap was a PITA due to massive rust built up.

The car runs fine now BUT since I drove the car with the bad engine for too long my MPG is crap and I do get a CATs code (P0430)

People say it can be caused by bad O2 sensors but for some reason I want to think this time its my CATs that are clogged. Haven't gotten around to completely fixing the problems because someone rear ended me a week ago and waiting on the police report to get that fixed