Hrm....I wonder if this could be a problem?

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...65559815_n.jpg

GAH!!! Replaced the plug and cleaned the junk of the COP of #6 and now #3 is the PITA...pulled that COP and the same issue, it's sitting in a puddle of water and the plug is corroded. Needless to say time for a full plug replacement.

You must have a source for water to drip onto the plugs to cause that much rust. I suggest that you close the hood and spray a lot of water in the area of the cowl and hood and then check inside to see if there is a trail showing where the leak is. Then you can seal that area or find a way to divert the water away from the cops.

Yeah odd thing is we haven't had any rain for weeks now and everything looks fine hood wise...one would think it would have evaporated. Coolant level looks fine so I'm not worried it's coming from the other direction.

EDIT: There was a small puddle in the #6 surrounding the plug and the #3 coil came out wet. There's also about 1/2" of built up dirt surrounding each COP.

There's a heater hose in the area of cylinders 3 & 4 that has been know to drip coolant into these two spark plug wells.

Thanks I'll check that guy out. But it doesn't explain the water in #6. I'm wondering if its stuff that might have been there from the winter (before the problem started) when I might have goofed off in some big puddles.

Just got #3 out and it had a lot more rust on the tip than #6 did. So I think I my adventure has been a collection of problems.

....and #7. I'm replacing the rest this morning but it seems as though my problems have been fluid and corrosion on top of the DPFE failing. There is no vacuum leaks..yet. :D

OH! One fun thing, when you pull the big vacuum hoses to work on the #6 or #7 (in my case), make sure you plug them back in before you test to see if everything is working. :D My reaction when the engine would just die was "great, what'd I screw up while fixing this thing!?!" then I saw I left them loose. HA!

Been there, done that! Didn't like it.

If you have the vacuum lines crossed going from the exhaust manifold to the EGR sensor you will get some strange codes and the CEL will come on.

Yeah I'll bet! :D

So the problem surfaced again and my new plugs are corroded as all heck. I finally thought things through. It's not water in the plug wells...it's coolant. Intake manifold gaskets are leaking.

New weekend project.

Sorry to hear that! Good luck with it.

I'm taking my time, 6.5 hours and it's all apart. Inspecting the crossover and intake manifold. The seals were toast. I will go at the intake tonight/tomorrow and see if I can get away with just cleaning/new gaskets.

Nope, cracked at the crossover on the passenger side. Dorman IM ordered and expected tomorrow for installation. It will be nice to have this thing usable again. :)

Well that was no joy. Dorman came and was broken on one of the fuel rail towers. Had to order a replacement. Took my time putting it all back together and she's happy for now but only about 100 miles on it since the install.

It's quite nice to feel normal acceleration again.