R33 Some Kind Of Ignition Problem

[r33skyline1996]

Hey guys,

I'm new here just recently purchased a r33 series 2 1996 skyline. Anyway a few days ago I decided to clean the engine bay just at the car wash, after doing so I've experienced extreme losses in power and definite misfiring problems. When im driving it almost sounds like a machine gun and has no guts when I put my foot down. The turbo still spools up and it cranks over fine on start up, so im with the idea ive either got water in my coils or in my plugs and more so leaning towards coils cause if it was in the plugs the car wouldn't crank over??. I was having slight misfiring problems before I washed the engine bay but that was only when I dumped the throttle and was most likely cause the old owner had the boost set on 14PSI with a stock ECU. Car is reasonably stock; just the usuals... 4inch Pod filter, hiflow exhaust, turbo timer and boost controller

I have a new set of iridium plugs on their way but what do you guys think, will changing the plugs sort the issue? or if water did manage to make its way into the coils will it eventually evaporate off or do I need to replace the coils?. Also I'm not hugely experienced with mechanics done the odd job or two. If I was to replace the coils and the plugs is it simple enough to follow a tutorial and do it myself or should I leave it to a mechanic?.

Cheers guys and thanks for the answers in advance! also sorry if I sound bit stupid I'm just a newby to turbos haha

[Ben C34]

Take coils out to let them dry. You will also see if they are wet. You don't need to replace the plugs just because the tops of them got wet.

[AMR33]

How exactly did you "wash" your engine bay? Do what superben suggested and let your coil packs dry. If you have plugs on the way then you may as well replace them and yes they and the coil packs are very easy to do (there are tutorials on web....many of them).

And raising boost to 14psi with no decent intercooler and better fuel pump sounds very silly and dangerous to me.

[r33skyline1996]

Cheers for taking the time to comment back guys.... Yes I know having the boost at 14PSI is stupid and I did begin tweaking before I had this ignition problem, at the moment I tweaked high boost to about 9-10 PSI where it still had a few flat spots but only at higher revs, so im thinking maybe boost at 7-8PSI will be perfect?? does anyone know what boost you should be running for economy and performance just on the stock engines?.... I washed the engine bay at the car wash, first sprayed it with the engine cleaner stuff then let it sit for a few minutes, then high pressure soaped it off and that's about it. I ordered iridium plugs but they wont be coming for a week or two but I will get to the plugs and coils this weekend and have a look at them, also ive seen a few people when they've gotten their coils out that they tape the coils up? should I do this ? cheers guys thanks for the help!

[sleptema]

Cheers for taking the time to comment back guys.... Yes I know having the boost at 14PSI is stupid and I did begin tweaking before I had this ignition problem, at the moment I tweaked high boost to about 9-10 PSI where it still had a few flat spots but only at higher revs, so im thinking maybe boost at 7-8PSI will be perfect?? does anyone know what boost you should be running for economy and performance just on the stock engines?.... I washed the engine bay at the car wash, first sprayed it with the engine cleaner stuff then let it sit for a few minutes, then high pressure soaped it off and that's about it. I ordered iridium plugs but they wont be coming for a week or two but I will get to the plugs and coils this weekend and have a look at them, also ive seen a few people when they've gotten their coils out that they tape the coils up? should I do this ? cheers guys thanks for the help!

Factory boost is 7psi. On a factory tune it will have no flat spots, and will provide the best economy. Obviously if you are searching for power, this would be a different story. Pick one, power or economy.

Also, as mentioned above - your coils are wet. Let them dry. If you have factory coil packs, replace them with splitfires eventually. After I washed my engine bay, the stock coils were never the same after I got them wet.

[r33skyline1996]

Cheers sleptema! Ye I'll get the coils out and getem dry this weekend, should I jus let them air dry or is there any other method ?? Also as your saying your coils were never the same is it really necessarily to get splitfires?? Or can I is get some cheaper aftermarkets? As I will only be running 7psi and can't see that I'll be doing too many more mods to it. Cheers for the help mate!

[sleptema]

Cheers sleptema! Ye I'll get the coils out and getem dry this weekend, should I jus let them air dry or is there any other method ?? Also as your saying your coils were never the same is it really necessarily to get splitfires?? Or can I is get some cheaper aftermarkets? As I will only be running 7psi and can't see that I'll be doing too many more mods to it. Cheers for the help mate!

Before I washed my engine - never ever had an issue with my car (even after running 12psi)

After I washed it, and let it dry (probably also because i just kept running my car with the coils wet and letting it bog down) they would misfire every now and then at high rpm high boost, in the cold as well.

Splitfires are widely regarded as the best aftermarket coils for rb25s. They are cheaper than stock coils from nissan, and will last just as long, and will handle more boost. I think I picked up my set for $460 delivered. I think nissan wanted $120 each. EACH.

Air dry is the best method, but if you have an air compressor and an air director, that will speed up the process. Just make sure the coils and the valley is completely dry and it won't misfire again.

[AMR33]

I'm assuming that when u washed ur engine bay u wrapped all wires and ignition sources etc, if not, there's a note to self. You can get a set of yellow jackets (coil packs) for about $400 or a set from justjap for the same price. I used justjap coils a while ago for 11psi no problems

[niZmO_Man]

Splitfires are widely regarded as the best aftermarket coils for rb25s. They are cheaper than stock coils from nissan, and will last just as long, and will handle more boost.

Not being a dick, but wondering what data you have to make this claim. How long have you had yours? How much boost/power are you running in what engine?

I've read quite a few opinions about splitfires, yellowjackets and OEM. I run yellow jackets on a standard RB26 and have no issues (of course it won't, it's running standard boost). People have yellow jackets fail, people haven't had any issues with them. People had splitfires fail and went OEM, yet other says they are great.

[Missileman]

should be able to pick up a set of genuine Nissan coil packs from amayama for $430

[Ben C34]

Genuine are best. They are proven to last 15 years. No guessing there.

They are crazy prices from Nissan aus, and now there are counterfeits on ebay to avoid.

If you can get oem for 430 at amayama that's a bargain!

[Missileman]

R32 and 33-S1, not sure about the others, also these are coming from United Arab Emerates, so it will take a month for delivery...

Edited April 30, 2014 by Missileman

[AMR33]

I've never dealt with amayama before, are they any good? Do people recommend them?

[sleptema]

Not being a dick, but wondering what data you have to make this claim. How long have you had yours? How much boost/power are you running in what engine?

I've read quite a few opinions about splitfires, yellowjackets and OEM. I run yellow jackets on a standard RB26 and have no issues (of course it won't, it's running standard boost). People have yellow jackets fail, people haven't had any issues with them. People had splitfires fail and went OEM, yet other says they are great.

I never ever said OEM or yellow jackets aren't good, but I stand by splitfires and have had many good reports with people using splitfires on rb25's without any issue, some running in excess of 500hp.

As far as I am concerned, in the community that I am involved in, Splitfires take the cake. You are obviously entitled to your opinion and only when people express their opinions can we all learn from each other, so I am glad for your input. Now the OP has 3 different options to choose from, and using the data he can select the coils that is going to suit his application, rather than just my opinion.

Oh and 18psi on rb25, and 13.5/10 on another for 2 years of abuse.

Edited April 30, 2014 by sleptema

[niZmO_Man]

Haha now OP will ask "which one should I get" . Thanks for the good reply.

Amayama I've never personally dealt with, but I know a few people who bought stuff from them and they had no issues.

[r33skyline1996]

Thanks a lot guys for the replies! decided to go with yellow jackets personally just because I wont be running anything over 8psi and not looking for a huge amount of performance moreso reliability and something at a decent price! Also yellow jackets give a 2 year warranty so that sold me a happy customer, should be taking the coils out this weekend and having a look will let you guys now what happens. Cheers

[r33skyline1996]

Hey guys,

Took my coils out on the weekend and the plugs... coils don't have any visible cracks or damage.. in cylinders 2 and 3 ontop of the plugs was a bunch gunk which looked like a mix of oil and water, im guessing from when I washed the engine bay as the seal of my rocker cover were basically non existent??... cleaned the gunk out the top of the plugs and removed the plugs there was no oil or anything in the cylinders but the plugs most of them were horribly black and looked very fouled... just waiting on my iridiums to come and I will fit them then tape up the coil packs and hope for the best as I cannot afford splitfires right now... my question is guys do you think my coils are finished or just the gunk (oil and water) ontop of the 2 plugs was causing the coils to not do their job properly? ive let the coils dry out now for a few days any other recommendations?.

Cheers in advance guys!

[AMR33]

Well since you let the coils dry, why not get a set of cheaper copper plugs for now and give it a go?

[75coupe]

Copper plugs for sure iridiums just last longer.

When you wash the engine bay stay away from the spark plug valley, and leave the engine running, keeps the heat going so it drys faster and if the motor revs change you know not to continue doing that...

And don't blast it everywhere be sensitive to where you spray copious amounts of water.

This all goes for any motor

[75coupe]

Clean and dry coil packs are good too