New Viper owner, some concerns after fresh maintenance items…

[SecureOpossum]

Hey all, just picked up a 2001 GTS with the Fitzgerald Motorsport Snake 530 package. Took care of a bunch of maintenance items (plugs, wires, PS pulley, all the fluids, tires) and drove the car up to the gas station to fill up and do a shakedown. I made sure to let it warm up before driving, and didn’t get above 2500rpm on the drive. When I got home I noticed some smoke and a burning smell coming from the front of the driver side sill, and the sill was hot enough to boil off water immediately. I’ve read about how hot the sills get but I feel like this isn’t typical. The car also makes an intermittent popping noise from the exhaust at idle, as well as at low RPM on throttle that wasn’t there before the work I did. There’s no CEL but I only drove it a couple miles. I’m going to double check the wires to make sure they’re on the right plugs (I went by the numbers on the plugs, not the manual), but what else should I check? Is this indicative of a clogged cat? I’m hesitant to keep driving the car until I’ve checked all my bases. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[BoondocSaint]

Possibly an injector issue. If it is dumping excessive fuel that can burn up a cat.

 

[daveg]

If it Definity was not there before your work, check your wires and plugs on that side first.

 

[TEALLIFE]

sounds like the mixture is way off, like others have said...maybe a wire isnt connected right or not at all or is bad.

After that...maybe a clogged cat.

 

[SecureOpossum]

It was 100% something I messed up with the wires. Not sure what exactly, but after undoing all of them and methodically reinstalling them the car is running great. Thanks again for the helpful suggestions!

 

[Dan Cragin]

You have a misfire on the side of the engine that’s getting hot. Check those wires and plugs

 

[steve e]

The firing order is screwed up. Every Viper that came to my shop with problems was after the customer changed the plugs and wires .

 

[Dan Cragin]

They often mix up 6 and 9

 

[SecureOpossum]

It was definitely a misfire issue, though which cylinder on the driver side I can’t say. Drove the car to work and back on Friday after getting things sorted out Thursday night and it was flawless. Glad to have her back on the road and running smooth.

 

[Goggles Pizano]

The firing order is screwed up. Every Viper that came to my shop with problems was after the customer changed the plugs and wires .

They often mix up 6 and 9

I can never understand this. Just replace one at a time. Sh_t at least write/draw a picture if are going to pull all of them together.

 

[daveg]

Just replace one at a time.

^^^^ Bingo

 

[Old School]

It was definitely a misfire issue, though which cylinder on the driver side I can’t say. Drove the car to work and back on Friday after getting things sorted out Thursday night and it was flawless. Glad to have her back on the road and running smooth.

This has always been a problem, even before the days of coil packs, when you had a distributor. Getting the plug wires back on right when you’re in a hurry or not paying attention.