12 year old spark plugs and air filter? Perhaps! 

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck) 03/08/2020 at 20:45 • Filed to: Vibe 2020

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I’m pretty sure when I bought this car, the dealer claimed a full tune up and new filters, fluids and plugs. I’ll have to dig up the sales paperwork to see if I “misremembered”... But given how tough  — and bone dry — these crispy OEM Denso plugs were to remove, and how “dirty, but not too dirty, but not so clean that it’s recent” OEM air filter was... I’m leaning towards believing that these parts are original to this goddamn car. Maybe I’m crazy. If you’re wondering how I went down this path, my dad politely scolded me last night for not having checked the spark plugs. Sometimes the man has a point.

The old plugs were in so tight that each of them felt like they were going to snap on the first three-quarters turn. I made sure to lubricate the new ones. It was less than an hour job if you don’t include digging for unsorted tools and driving to the auto parts store.

I have since driven the car all day, with both short and long starting intervals to replicate the problem my wife has been having the past two weeks. It has started up every time like it’s supposed to. I would be so overjoyed if it was somehow fixed with just replacing the spark plugs, but I won’t hold my breath.

If it persists, testing the fuel pressure is next (there is no convenient testing port on the 1ZZ, I gotta stick in a T-SST somewheres near the firewall ). I’ve already checked all the relays and fuse pertaining to fuel pressure and fuel pump. I retested the battery and it passed.

I’ve already watched half a dozen videos on replacing the fuel assembly. I’m emotionally prepared to do it if necessary (it’s accessible under the backseat! Hooray!), but the assembly+pump+filter+incredibly poor aftermarket reviews make it juuuust expensive/painful enough to not just buy the parts as a precaution.

Thank you everyone who replied to my post yesterday, especially Demon-Xanth. I’ll report back in if the situation reappears...

Captain of the Enterprise > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/08/2020 at 20:58

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Good work! When I changed my plugs And air filter  at 120,000 miles on my 05 Corolla I got a 2-3 mpg boost as well! 

dogisbadob > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/08/2020 at 21:14

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Those old spark plugs look good! They don’t show any signs of anything wrong with the engine :o)

Rock Auto has the OEM fuel pump assembly for $135

Nick Has an Exocet > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/08/2020 at 21:18

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Those plugs still look cleaner than the ones in my Miata after 2k miles.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/08/2020 at 21:52

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They don’t look too much worse than the plugs I pulled from my Mazda at 75,000 miles. I hope that was the problem but repairs are not built on hope. 

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/08/2020 at 22:25

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For what its worth, when I got the Volvo it was running poorly. I changed the oil, trans fluid, air filter, and replaced a few roached motor mounts and it got better, but was still having issues. Then I said screw it, I should thrown plugs in it. Well mine didn’t look a whole lot worse than those but what a difference! It ran so much better after that. I hope this cures your woes with the Vibe.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/08/2020 at 22:50

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https://oppositelock.kinja.com/change-your-filters-people-1838083006

could be worse

Future Heap Owner > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/08/2020 at 23:29

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I tend to do spark plugs as a palliative because they’re just so cheap and easy and it gives me peace of mind. The,  placebo effect works on cars right?