So I was having some issues (98 S70) under load (going uphill) and decided to check the dist. cap and wires. The wires were good but the cap had some oil in it. I would assume running down from my oil cap and into the dist cap. I cleaned it all out with some contact cleaner and a little bit of gas. The contacts inside looked ok besides caked in oil (im suprised it ran) but the rotor was pretty black. Cleaned it all up, put back together and now the CEL is on and it sounds like its mis firing mulitple cylinders. As of right now I have the plugs off since I did use contact cleaner in them to dry out. Later I plan on pulling the cap again and seeing if maybe I left some residue inside.

Anyone have any other ideas? It was running fine before I cleaned it up except for going up hill. I am pretty sure I put the order of the plugs back in the correct order. Thanks.

 

Yeah, a tune-up (new plugs, dist rotor & cap, oil change) and new wire set (OEM). Maybe throw in new air and fuel filters too if due.

Misfire under load is classic symptom of ignition secondary (everything from your ignition coil to the spark plugs) breakdown. Once you get a breakdown somewhere in the secondary (e.g. dist cap) it leaves a carbon track in the part; cleaning it (please don't use gas as a cleaner!!) after you get a breakdown is pointless; needs to be replaced w/new.

Beyond that it could be low compression and/or malfunctioning injectors too.