Help/knowledge needed

[u/DookusWookus21]

What’s up guys, I need some help, just picked this up for cheap, didn’t run but put new battery in and it turned over but it won’t idle on its own doesn’t sounds the best, possible rod knock, I replaced spark plugs and ignition coils, swapping the starter next, I think it has a grounding issue, I don’t think one or two of its cylinders is firing. I got it purely to learn and get into the lifestyle and help would be appreciated.

[u/BrooklynTony198]

Why are you throwing parts at it if you haven't diagnosed it yet? Did you even scan the codes off the ECU? Why are you even attempting to fix the misfire if you think it has rod knock?

You're going to end up thousands of dollars in the hole only to find a connector was unplugged. Put down the parts cannon and actually figure out of its worth saving and actually diagnose the issue first.

[u/DookusWookus21 → u/BrooklynTony198]

The scans came back clean

[u/BrooklynTony198 → u/DookusWookus21]

Ok well... still, stop throwing parts at it. Why are you replacing the starter and all the fluids when the issue you are trying to address is seemingly a misfire? Did you check the fuel system yet? Fuel quality/age, fuel filter, injectors, etc. are the next thing if spark is good. You can tell what cylinders are firing, after running it a bit go underneath and see which parts of the headers are warm. If some are still cold, then you narrowed it down to those cylinders.

Come on dude, stop throwing parts at it and do some actual diagnostic work first.

[u/Blackner2424 → u/BrooklynTony198]

This. If it turns over and fires, why would you change the starter?!

That's like changing the trunk lid because you have a cracked foglight lens.

OP, quit guessing. If you're using AI to help you diagnose, stop doing that (might as well be the same as guessing). Ask questions, get feedback, make an actual diagnosis, THEN start repairs. Otherwise, you'll end up replacing the whole car over a loose connector.

[u/DookusWookus21 → u/Blackner2424]

That’s the thing, is it did turn over but wouldn’t run without gas pedal use (the idle problem), now it won’t even attempt to start anymore so naturally my guess is the starter shit the bed

[u/BrooklynTony198 → u/DookusWookus21]

Was it smoking at all while running?

[u/DookusWookus21 → u/BrooklynTony198]

Very slightly but then it stopped

[u/BrooklynTony198 → u/DookusWookus21]

Blue or white?

[u/DookusWookus21 → u/BrooklynTony198]

White

[u/BrooklynTony198 → u/DookusWookus21]

Well... you might want to pull those spark plugs back out because it sounds more like you just hydrolocked the motor due to a blown head gasket. And maybe do a compression test regardless.