Hello
Thanks for the acceptance into the group. This is my first post, so please bear with me.
I'm having some trouble with my 09 vibe that I was hoping someone could help me with. More specifically, it didn't want to start today. 30 degrees, garage kept, ran/started fine yesterday at similar temps. It turned over fine but didn't want to fire. Occasionally it would sputter and try to catch but wouldn't go. Let it sit on a battery charger for a few hours and played with the gas pedal for a while and it finally took off. I suspected fuel pump but it had a strong unburnt fuel smell. (replaced fuel pump within the last 3-4 years as well.)
More info:
-Car has 130K miles
-Battery is new within the last 5 years
-Occasionally it 'chugs' at idle in drive with your foot on the brake.
I took it to an auto parts store to see if they could load test the battery. All good. Alternator and starter checked out ok as well. I had them put a scan tool on it even though it didn't have a check engine light...it came back with a 'random engine misfire' code. I inquired into that and they said either plugs, coils or wires. REAL helpful.
Here is what my dilemma is. It's never had new plugs in it that I'm aware of, and I've had it since new. I looked into changing the plugs and although I trust my mechanical skills I feel like it's super easy to strip out the threads on those and damage the cylinder head. Sound right? Should I have a shop change the plugs? Am I on the right track? Can a better scan tool pin point if it's a plug, wire, coil etc any better than an auto parts place?
Thanks for all the help. I appreciate any insight so I don't just throw $$$$$$$$ and not solve problems.