PT Cruiser is misfiring !

Recently got a 2008 PT Cruiser. A few days later, strange things started happening.
Exploring options and fixes for the PT Cruiser.
Forgive my simplistic videography and editing (like none!). Just getting back to trying this out and I have a lot to learn. I am a bright guy, so I expect after a few low quality uploads I will get the hang of things and put a little more polish on the videos.

[@tory1831]

Hey - I own a PT. Did you replace the plug wires and coil pack? Dont panic. I would check those. The 2.4 runs a little rough - It is a counterbalanced motor. Keep making vids I may be able to help.

[@smootlife]

Thanks for quick reply! Just uploaded! Yes... plugs, plug wires, Ignition Coil pack have all been replaced. I have also already added a fuel treatment to help clear lines. My hope is that it mysteriously clears as the fuel treatment goes through.

[@MrAlan1972]

You don't need a code reader, you can do the key dance that will show you the code, turn the key off and on 3 times and look at your dash.

[@smootlife]

nice... but I have a code reader, so pretty easy to get codes. Thanks for tip. Will definitely use in the future.

[@ercost60]

My 2005 had a misfire, used a $5 BT dongle and my phone to read the OBD2 code. It was 100% correct, said misfire on 3. I found a cracked plug insulator. One new plug and she was humming again.

[@smootlife]

I wish my cruiser just had a bad plug. Plugs replaced, Ignition Coil replaced, valve gaskets replaced (thinking oil was fouling the plugs). Yet still getting the misfire code. Next fix attempt is to replace the fuel injector for that cylinder, and I have a new fuel filter to swap.

[@alexandertruesdale4211]

We have been driving and maintaining PT’s for over 15 years I want you to try something. You said that it was cylinder #1 that’s good that’s the one next to the oil cap pull out the wire and see if the end is covered in oil this happen to our 03 and our 07 what happen is the valve cover gasket start to leak and the oil got between the wire and the plug causing it to misfire. If the wire comes up clean then pull the wire off and use a multimeter to check for continuity. The other thing you said was that there was smoke but you didn’t say were the smoke was coming from nor what color it was if you can tell me I can narrow it down. Now there is something that every PT owner should know. The timing belt and water pump needs to be replace every 90 thousand miles or you lose the engine and it can be expensive cause they have to drop the engine to get to it. Now if your car nearing or past the 90 K mark, find out if it got done. Now if I were you I would get some white duct tape and tape up the bumper were its broken cuase its only heled in place with 4 nuts and 5 tinny screws and two of the nuts are not holding anything right now. The tape should help until you get it replaced or if you like I can tell you how to fix the one you have and make it good as new. One last thing, don’t replace the headlights I found some think that makes them look brand new. And mine looked worse than yours. If you or anyone needs anything else please let me know.

[@smootlife]

Thanks for the insight. I will see if there is oil around that connection.

[@tory1831]

Good info. I was wondering if the plug #1 is bad too.

[@smootlife]

Plugs, Plug Wires, and Ignition Coil pack are all new. There is oil residue around the Oil Cap area including where one of the valve cover bolts go but it is not excessive... and does not seem to be inside of the spark plug connection area. I am considering a DIY valve gasket replacement, but I hesitate for my inexperience. Seems simple enough to do, but I have that Murphy's Law kind of luck, so if something is going to go wrong, you bet I will be the one to do it. lol.

[@alexandertruesdale4211]

if you don't have oil down in the hole or you don,t see any oil leaking where the plastic meets the metal then don't change the gaskets. it a pain in the ass to do. @@smootlife

[@alexandertruesdale4211]

I'm not too worried about the oil around the bolt you might try pulling out the spark plug and see if there's is any thing out of the ordinary, oil, water, gas, etc..