Mechanic Recommendation

[Elguapochapo]

Here is my issue. I was driving and my car started to miss firing under load and randomly. I got a flashing CEL and it disappeared after a few seconds. I got home and hooked up a scanner and in pending codes it had stored code p0305. I removed the spark plug from cylinder 5 and found the spark plug tip had broken off inside the cylinder. Thats why it wasn't firing. I used a borescope to see if there was any damaged to the piston[headbang]. Below are pictures of the spark plug and piston. At this point I was pretty upset so I just threw in a new spark plug and decided to see if it would run and how it would run.[facepalm] After driving around the block and hitting low boost it was driving great with no codes no weird sounds and no hesitation. After about 20 minutes of driving around and hitting boost it started miss firing again[=(]. Once I got back home I check the codes and it showed p0300. Again it was in pending code so the CEL was not on just flashed a bit and then would go away. So I know for sure I have to get this thing torn apart and get that piston replaced and try to figure out why it is miss firing. Hoping for some recommendations on a good honest mechanic. I would try to do this myself but don't have the knowledge or the time. The car is completely stock and serviced regularly. Last service that was performed was a complete timing belt job along with water pump secondary water pump and upgraded to the aluminum thermostat housing. This service was performed by a very knowledgeable mechanic which I can't get in contact with because I didn't get his cell number and would only chat with Google hangout which I don't think he uses anymore.



http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s489/Louie29er/IMG_1607.jpg
http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s489/Louie29er/IMG_1610.jpg
http://i1054.photobucket.com/albums/s489/Louie29er/IMG_1608.jpg

[0396]

Sorry to hear of your situation..looking at the spark plug, it looks like its been in there for a long long time...if it were me, I would have replaced all the plugs vs simply the one in #5.
Good luck

[MikeyB3]

you should message AZ member jballou before anything. He might be able to help you out or give you someone who can.

With the "everything has to be new hotness' mentality in this area, support for the non-new German car is exceedingly limited. If you're modified, even the best shop (who I wont name) can be a waste of your time and money, because they dont know how things were built, installed, etc. Couple that with their unwillingness to learn, and you've found yourself alone in a very dark place. This community and its members (and the few shops that love the older cars) can be of immense value. It's so rare.

Anyhow, message Justin. Good luck man.

[jballou]

The cheapest route is to just put another spark plug in. I would also check your fuel trims. It takes a lot to break off the Ground Strap. Maybe that cyl. is running a little lean. Pull the other plugs and take a look at them.