Misfires

[mike]

I have a 2007 fit with 77,000 miles, been to the dealer for every repair or oil change. I had a misfire a back in oct 2009 after about five times to the dealer and $600 now they say it could be my coil packs and another $500.Has anyone had a misfire problem like mine? found answer in another thread.

[manxman]

I have a 2007 fit with 77,000 miles, been to the dealer for every repair or oil change. I had a misfire a back in oct 2009 after about five times to the dealer and $600 now they say it could be my coil packs and another $500.Has anyone had a misfire problem like mine? found answer in another thread.
This is a common problem, at least for the GD3's. Our member macbuddy has had the problem, and solved it himself by reducing the spark plug gap from the factory setting of .047- .052", reduced to .035". Reducing the gap also reduces the amount of electrical power required to make the plug fire with a weakened coil pack. www.fitfreak.net has several virtually endless threads with hundreds of posts regarding the problem. Watch on Ebay Motors- I have seen several ads for reduced prices on Fit coil packs.

[mike]

Thanks, they look pretty easy to replace maybe just a little tight.

[manxman]

Yes- they are easy to replace on GD3 Fits. Good luck with getting rid of the problem. The dealer quoting you $500. for the replacement of the coil packs sounds like an absolute rip-off.

IIRC, new coil packs cost around $60.00 retail. If you shop carefully at on-line parts stores, you should be able to buy them for less. All you need is a ratchet wrench, a 10mm socket and a 4" socket extension, and you can replace all of the coils yourself in 30 minutes.

[macbuddy]

Hey Mike,
Do me a favor and try regapping your plugs to .032"-.035" before spending ~$500 on a new set of coilpacks...then report back to let me know if "my" fix works for you too.
I've been running mine at .032" for about a year now with no ill effects. I am still able to achieve +39mpg, and still able to run decent times in AutoX events.
If this fix does work for you, take the extra $500 and spend it on new tires, or maybe a suspension upgrade instead!
Cheers,
-macbuddy-

[macbuddy]

Okay, I've been able to delay the need to purchase a new coilpack for just over a year now. My practice of reducing the gap down to .032" has given me just over one extra year of service. For the record, my Fit has been performing well ever since the adjustment.
Well, as of yesterday, my #4 coilpack finally gave out. It was kinda embarrassing when it did. I was charging up a sweeping on-ramp when the CEL lit up. The engine misfired, and immediately lost torque. The speed dropped down to ~40 mph, and I could not accelerate, as the engine would continue to misfire under load. At that rate of speed, I became an instant "traffic hazard."
When I finally pulled off the freeway, the Scangauge2 showed a P0428 code. After looking this up, I learned that I had a "Catalyst Temperature Sensor Circuit High" warning. WTF did that mean? Anyway, I "babied" it the rest of the way home. By the time I got home, another CEL was thrown. This time it showed a P0304 code, "Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected." Okay, now the P0428 code made more sense.
This morning I purchased an OEM coilpack from my local Honda Parts dept for $87 plus tax. After a 10 minute install, I got my Fit back into perfect running condition once again!
The coolest part about this whole episode is that "Mrs. macbuddy" finally got to see that the Scangauge2 is more than just a "mileage calculator." I love my Scangauge!

[manxman]

Hey Mike,

Just a suggestion here. Now you have 3 more coil packs of the same age and mileage as the one that failed. That means that three more "instant traffic hazard" incidents are on their way to screw you up some day, somewhere. Maybe in the path of a semi with bad brakes. In your place, I would look for the best price on-line and buy the three coils so that a disaster could be avoided. If two of the coils fail at the same time, you will define the term "SOL"!

With four new coils, you will have a new ignition system (with new plugs).