Rough Start, check engine light

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Football

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Well it just gets better,
I have a 2000 LS, 3.9 and last night i left work and car was running great, stopped at the store and when I started it back up it ran REALLY ROUGH. I was 5 min from home and got it here.
This morning I tried starting it up and same thing, except the Check engine light is now on. Is there a way I can check codes without taking it to the dealership?
Thanks,Tony
 
Some auto parts stores will read the codes for free, or loan you a reader so that you can (in the parking lot).
Post back the exact five character code or codes, not the description(s).
 
The tough part is I don't want to take the chance on driving it, since its soooo rough. Looks like i will have to play it safe and tow it to the dealership:(
 
I would normally agree on the coil/plugs but I changed those out in the last 6 months with new seals and Valve cover gaskets.
I will have to tear it apart and make sure there is no oil leaking.
Other than that, why all of a sudden would this happen.
 
Football said:
I would normally agree on the coil/plugs but I changed those out in the last 6 months with new seals and Valve cover gaskets.
I will have to tear it apart and make sure there is no oil leaking.
Other than that, why all of a sudden would this happen.
Click to expand...

could also be 02 sensor, how far is autozone or something like that?
 
Football said:
I would normally agree on the coil/plugs but I changed those out in the last 6 months with new seals and Valve cover gaskets.
I will have to tear it apart and make sure there is no oil leaking.
Other than that, why all of a sudden would this happen.
Click to expand...

What was the source of the COPs? Some e-bay ones have been known to fail in less than six months.
 
Football said:
The tough part is I don't want to take the chance on driving it, since its soooo rough. Looks like i will have to play it safe and tow it to the dealership:(
Click to expand...

Advance Auto has a loan a tool program. You have to pay the full price of the tool (should be less than $100 for a scan tool), but when you bring it back, they give a full refund.
 
Autozone is way to far away. The coils I got were from Carquest. and they matched a price, so they ran me $41.00 per coil. The Gasket set was a SET, both sides with oil seal o rings and grommet rings. That i think ran me $90.
It was running great, a dn last night my cig light blew a fuse.
thought nothing of it, and then stopped, started it up again and holy crap!!!! ROUGH! Again I don't want to even drive it.
I will take a look at the coils and see if there is any oil or shorting out, but let me ask this.... Is there ANY chance it could be the Timing Belt???
Where are the O2 sensors located on the LS.

Thanks Guys for all the help!
 
#6 pre cat

#7 post cat

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Football said:
wow, thanks,
so am I correct to assume that there are 4 O 2 Sensors for that?
Click to expand...

Yes, but only two of them have any effect on the engine at all. The rear two just tell you (turn the check engine light on) if the cats aren't doing their thing and reducing emissions.
 
Thanks guys,
I meant chains, as I looked last time I have the value covers off, I thought to mysef, crap, hope that never goes, BIG JOB!
Good, if I can rule the chains out I feel alittle better.
I will try to get my hands on a scanner and see if it pulls something??
the funny thing is about 2 weeks ago I lost heat and was going to change out the DCCV but looks like I have to figure this out first.
will o2 sensors Really make the engine run that rough, and do they go out that suddenly?
 
Football said:
Thanks guys,
I meant chains, as I looked last time I have the value covers off, I thought to mysef, crap, hope that never goes, BIG JOB!
Good, if I can rule the chains out I feel alittle better.
I will try to get my hands on a scanner and see if it pulls something??
the funny thing is about 2 weeks ago I lost heat and was going to change out the DCCV but looks like I have to figure this out first.
will o2 sensors Really make the engine run that rough, and do they go out that suddenly?
Click to expand...

Sorry if I gave the wrong impression. No, you can't rule out chains at this point. (I don't think that the chain fail, but some times the tensioners and guides do.)
 
No worries Joegr,
let me ask you this then since I am so full of questions.
Ok, I took the coil covers off, took out the coils and made sure I didn't have any oil pooling. Everything looks good. I had 2 coils that were still good when I changed them 6 months ago (I know I should have changed them all) so for grins i took those 2 out and put 2 old ones in and it actually ran a little better, thus my thought is that the 2 in there are bad, but in the past the coils never went out so quickly. can this happen???
Also, will the computer make an adjustment to try to operate the best it can under the conditions?
I got a code reader and of course didn't throw a code, just said everything passed:(
Not like i have the money to just keep dumping in. And I hate the thought of taking it to the dealership and being wrongly informed.
Thanks!
Tony
 
Well I changed coils, no leaking oil, coils and plugs are good. but still rough and even a small knock. Some white smoke, and smell, but no water in oil. Can O2 Sensors actually do this?
 
Hey guys!
Ok, So I broke down and took my car into the dealership for them to run Diagnostic Test. I got the call and the Mechanic said that all it shows is that all 4 coils on the Right side are miss Firing. (Odd as I just changed those 2 months ago) So he said he was confused and needed to contact a tech specialist. I just got a call back and he wants to take of the Valve Cover and inspect everything to see what the problem might be. To the Tune of $700.
Why would all 4 coild show Miss Fire? Could this be an O2 Sensor?
Help please cause I sure as heck am not leaving it there when they can't tell me the problem!
Thanks
 
Football said:
Hey guys!
Ok, So I broke down and took my car into the dealership for them to run Diagnostic Test. I got the call and the Mechanic said that all it shows is that all 4 coils on the Right side are miss Firing. (Odd as I just changed those 2 months ago) So he said he was confused and needed to contact a tech specialist. I just got a call back and he wants to take of the Valve Cover and inspect everything to see what the problem might be. To the Tune of $700.
Why would all 4 coild show Miss Fire? Could this be an O2 Sensor?
Help please cause I sure as heck am not leaving it there when they can't tell me the problem!
Thanks
Click to expand...

Timing chain most likely... (Okay, to be accurate more likely one or more timing chain guides...)

If so, there may be serious engine damage.
 
Great,
I just drove it home from the dealership, NOW with the check engine light on. Put my code reader on it and got PO175 and PO171.
Still chains?
 
Football said:
Great,
I just drove it home from the dealership, NOW with the check engine light on. Put my code reader on it and got PO175 and PO171.
Still chains?
Click to expand...

Could be (others with failed chains/guide have gotten those codes and had your symptoms).
 
Football said:
Thanks Joegr,
How much of a pain is it to do? Can I do it by just removing the valve covers?
Click to expand...

There's quite a bit more to it than that, but yes mere mortals can do this with the engine in the car.
 
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