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Suburban miss fires after going up a hill?


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99subhelp
01-09-2004, 03:33 PM
I have a 99 chevy sub with the 5.7 and I had the seal replaced under the intake manifold and now it miss fires when I climb a hill and get to peak it will missfire badly. It will never do it when your climbing the hill or on flat ground but only when the engine has been enganged on the hill and then comes off of a little. It only happens at speeds over 50 MPH. I have replaced the plugs, wires, cap & rotor, and the fuel filter. The dealer wants to replace all these parts again and charge me 500 for it. I need some Ideas. I took it to another mechanic and he sees it misfire with the scope while driving but can't pinpoint it.

Thanks

Tony

shearing
01-09-2004, 04:32 PM
Wow! you described your problem as if you have been driving my '99. I plan on cleaning the EGR valve via some shade tree advice this weekend. I will let you know what happens.

ntwperformance
01-09-2004, 09:00 PM
what kind of wires did you buy? if you replaced them with the ones from advance or autozone take them back also check all the plugs to see if the porcelin is loose at the point where it meets the nut.i own a automotive shop i have had some bad experiance with advane and autozone wires.always use standard ignition or borg warner wires. the plug situation is somthing a ran across an a 1994 chevy truck a couple of weeks ago. i did a quick tune up on it and it ran worse i found the #3 plug missfiring around the porcelin.

back2life
01-09-2004, 10:57 PM
guess where i got my wires from? its been missing since i bought it and the engines been rebuilt still the same but worse ive put plugs(ac delco),cap , rotor, wires, fuel filter on 3 times! oh yeh 1 o2 sensor still the same problem the longer i drive the more it stumbles and it has strong exhaust and ive checked egr valve seems to be working .

RJN
01-11-2004, 09:10 AM
I have just experienced the same problem with my '96, 5.7 Sub.
I too just had the intake manifold seal replaced about 1,500 miles ago--seems like a pattern is forming. My Sub now skips, jerks and seems like it will stall (but never has) when going up even the smallest incline, and at acceleration when over 50 mph.
Has anyone in this thread, or otherwise, nailed down the cause?
Thanks in advance.
RJN

ntwperformance
01-11-2004, 01:26 PM
do any of you have a check engine light?

back2life
01-11-2004, 04:31 PM
i do not have a check engine light on nor do i have any codes shown.runs fine while driving just stumbles while idling or at a light.replaced my iac a few weeks ago it stopped working.seems to drag taking off ,maybe slow shifting trans originally suspected trans problem but some said engine was bogging down after having it rebuilt had the same miss as before and still shifts slow, goes into 2nd at 15mph or more depending on how fast i take off, 30 mph on 3rd.oh ive heard a rumor about cleaning up under the throttle body could this be true?have no vacuum leaks that i could find

RJN
01-11-2004, 08:35 PM
Re: Check Engine Lights
Concurrent with the my sputtering/acceleration problem, my "Service Engine Soon" light came on and has stayed on since. I assume that the stealership will be able to track down an engine fault code; however, it is my hope that someone here will have some good insight for all of us.

I too have been told that it is likely the EGR valve. If so (and forgive my novice), but where is it located? I understand that giving the EGR a gentle knock may dislodge the carbon that is potentially clogging it.
Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance
RJN

back2life
01-12-2004, 12:45 AM
it should be located to the left rear of the throttle body sort of circular in shape with a vac line going to it. ive already removed my and cleaned and reinstalled with new gasket still no change in performance. next project will be to remove throttle body and injectors and clean them but guess what ? the gasket set is kinda expensive to be so small! i wonder if it could be the fuel regulator anybody know how to check it? btw already replaced fuel filter twice

matchew
02-03-2004, 10:48 PM
Well, this sounds too familiar too me as well and I have been told "sticky fuel injectors" I had them cleaned and it seemed to help for a while, but true to its nature the problem came back. $474 dollars down the tubes. It missfires as I crest a hill and will eventually go away, check engine light comes on and reads "random misfire" code. I would love to hear of any solutions as well, I am a thrifty Do it yourself mechanic, but this one is kicking my but. this is the first time in 15 years I have gone to a mechanic only to get what I thought, money taken problem still there.

back2life
02-03-2004, 11:28 PM
i know what u mean,i very seldom pay someone else to fix my vehicles! damn near never only when i cant figure it out

MSpring
02-04-2004, 10:22 AM
I have been having the same problem with my 1996 5.7 and changed all of the o2 sensors and it was still giving a code but no as often. I brought it to the dealer and they told me that it was a clogged cat. This is a normal problem because there is a federally mandated warranty for 8 years or 80,ooo miles and mine had 82,000 on mine. Guess what no warranty so I bouht mine at napa for 290.00 instead of 651.00 from the dealer.

back2life
02-04-2004, 10:33 PM
I have been having the same problem with my 1996 5.7 and changed all of the o2 sensors and it was still giving a code but no as often. I brought it to the dealer and they told me that it was a clogged cat. This is a normal problem because there is a federally mandated warranty for 8 years or 80,ooo miles and mine had 82,000 on mine. Guess what no warranty so I bouht mine at napa for 290.00 instead of 651.00 from the dealer.
what did they do to it to determine it was clogged?

Redonthehead
02-05-2004, 02:21 PM
Have ya'all tried a $5 can of Seafoam? Seems its a miracle tonic for all that ails an engine.

back2life
02-05-2004, 02:36 PM
whats that ive never heard of it before?

Redonthehead
02-05-2004, 02:40 PM
I guess I'm kinda half kidding - its worth a $5 try. Its a fuel additive you can let the engine suck up via the brake vacuum hose and also put in the gasoline. It cleans out the carbon buildup. Do a search for seafoam on most any automotive forum.

bluephi1914
03-18-2004, 08:49 AM
Make sure that your Distributor cap is tight. The base that the cap screws into is plastic and will crack and become loose over time. if this happens the truck will misfire and jerk like crazy.

I had to replace the entire distributor because the holes were the cap screws into was cracked and wouldnt allow me to tighten the cap down. i rigged it for a while and that fixed my misfiring, but i just bit the bullet and bought a distributor for it.

back2life
03-18-2004, 10:02 AM
what kind of vehicle do u have

bluephi1914
03-18-2004, 12:07 PM
i would make sure your dist cap is tight, The dist. cap has plastic holes that the cap screw into and they will crack over time... mine did, and i had to rig the cap so it woldnt move as the rotor was spinning around. once i secured the cap.. it stopped misfiring.. i ended up getting a new distributor just because, but rigging the distributor holes with JB weld so the cap could have someting to screw into worked.

tooltimetech
03-18-2004, 11:45 PM
With this fuel system fuel pressure is very important to over come the poppet nozzles in the fuel injectors. If the fuel pressure drops below the poppet nozzle threshold the injector will not flow any fuel, (if fuel pressure is even as high as 45-50 PSI it will not run, usually takes 50-52 PSI to open the poppet nozzles) that is why fuel pressure and fuel volume are so critical. Under heavy load (driving at highway speeds up a hill or under heavy acceleration) the fuel system is being asked to work it's hardest, if there is a weak component that is when it will show up. Check fuel pump volume, fuel pressure regulator, and fuel system's ability to maintain fuel pressure when shut off. If your system does not maintain fuel pressure when shut down or the pump volume is low it should miss under heavy accel. or going up hills at highway speed. After verifying the fuel supply system make sure the injectors are clean. (In the range of $100.00 around here.) $474 wow is that all that was done is clean the injectors? I really like this fuel system, it is just not understood by most because it does not react like all the other electronic fuel injection systems. Last but not least make sure the spark plugs and wires are fine, and yes I prefer OEM. Hope it helps.

stubbornmike
08-05-2004, 11:37 PM
on these vortec motors u can not adjust the timing its computerized
however if the distributor has been tweeked a little the computer does not know that and it will cause CROSS firing... take it to a dealer and have it reset to specs..... if you dont beleave me read a chiltons book..]

Luis100
09-18-2004, 06:15 PM
I will said that it has to be something related with the intake gasket area because I just have mine change and the same day after pickup the truck from the repair shop on my way home was when I found the problem, before this job (intake gasket) I did never have the problem......Sub 99 K1500 77K miles.

markdpro
09-21-2004, 02:16 PM
I have a 99 chevy sub with the 5.7 and I had the seal replaced under the intake manifold and now it miss fires when I climb a hill and get to peak it will missfire badly. It will never do it when your climbing the hill or on flat ground but only when the engine has been enganged on the hill and then comes off of a little. It only happens at speeds over 50 MPH. I have replaced the plugs, wires, cap & rotor, and the fuel filter. The dealer wants to replace all these parts again and charge me 500 for it. I need some Ideas. I took it to another mechanic and he sees it misfire with the scope while driving but can't pinpoint it.

Thanks

Tony
I have this exact condition with my 97 yukon. The dealer replaced the intake manifold gasket. Now on high throttle settings like pulling my boat up a long hill all is well until I crest the hill and back off a bit. Then a really heavy misfire situation lasts for about 5 - 10 seconds. I think vacuum leak causing preignition might be the problem??? This week I got a flashing check engine too under the same load conditions. I really don't want to go to the dealer without a better idea. I have replaced plugs HT leads pcv valve and fuel filter. Any ideas??

markdpro
09-22-2004, 12:21 PM
With this fuel system fuel pressure is very important to over come the poppet nozzles in the fuel injectors. If the fuel pressure drops below the poppet nozzle threshold the injector will not flow any fuel, (if fuel pressure is even as high as 45-50 PSI it will not run, usually takes 50-52 PSI to open the poppet nozzles) that is why fuel pressure and fuel volume are so critical. Under heavy load (driving at highway speeds up a hill or under heavy acceleration) the fuel system is being asked to work it's hardest, if there is a weak component that is when it will show up. Check fuel pump volume, fuel pressure regulator, and fuel system's ability to maintain fuel pressure when shut off. If your system does not maintain fuel pressure when shut down or the pump volume is low it should miss under heavy accel. or going up hills at highway speed. After verifying the fuel supply system make sure the injectors are clean. (In the range of $100.00 around here.) $474 wow is that all that was done is clean the injectors? I really like this fuel system, it is just not understood by most because it does not react like all the other electronic fuel injection systems. Last but not least make sure the spark plugs and wires are fine, and yes I prefer OEM. Hope it helps.

My 97 Yukon has this set of problems. Same engine. The intake manifold gasket started to leak coolant and the dealer pulled off the fuel system to replace it. When I got the truck back( with a new oil pressure sender, water pump and spark leads $1500 total) I had a little induction growl on throttle opening but unless the radio was off I couldn't hear it(can't hear much anyway says my wife) On a fishing trip many weeks later, I pulled my boat up a long hill. The initial throttle up works very well. strong pull and no miss. Its when I back off at the crest of the hill that the miss occurs. The first time it happened I was on cruise but I can reproduce the effect every time I go to a high throttle situation and back off. When I come back on the throttle I briefly have a heavy miss.

My latest fishing trip has escalated the symtom with a flashing check engine light on the initial throttle up but still no miss until the throttle down throttle up cycle as the load is reduced.

Like everyone, I need reliability and I'm worried about getting stalled somewhere but my fear of the dealer's costs and my doubts about their abilities keep me looking for a diagnosis before I try to fix this.

I do all routine maintainance and have replaced the fuel filter and pcv valve and installed new plugs. I also have an OBDII code reader and there are no codes present.

I'm wondering if the heavy load heats up some component that causes preignition in the multiport Fuel injection throttle body. Combined with a vacuum leak could that be the problem?

I'm at the point of abandoning GMC forever. I have a seven year old truck with 54 000 miles on it garage stored and carefully maintained and I am losing trust in it's reliablity

I really appreciate your ideas cause I really need a fix.

Fireplug
09-22-2004, 06:28 PM
After reading all the posts on this problem and seeing the same pattern it would seem to me that the problem is in the EGR system.
I am thinking maybe dirt or something has got into the EGR passages ??
Fireplug


My 97 Yukon has this set of problems. Same engine. The intake manifold gasket started to leak coolant and the dealer pulled off the fuel system to replace it. When I got the truck back( with a new oil pressure sender, water pump and spark leads $1500 total) I had a little induction growl on throttle opening but unless the radio was off I couldn't hear it(can't hear much anyway says my wife) On a fishing trip many weeks later, I pulled my boat up a long hill. The initial throttle up works very well. strong pull and no miss. Its when I back off at the crest of the hill that the miss occurs. The first time it happened I was on cruise but I can reproduce the effect every time I go to a high throttle situation and back off. When I come back on the throttle I briefly have a heavy miss.

My latest fishing trip has escalated the symtom with a flashing check engine light on the initial throttle up but still no miss until the throttle down throttle up cycle as the load is reduced.

Like everyone, I need reliability and I'm worried about getting stalled somewhere but my fear of the dealer's costs and my doubts about their abilities keep me looking for a diagnosis before I try to fix this.

I do all routine maintainance and have replaced the fuel filter and pcv valve and installed new plugs. I also have an OBDII code reader and there are no codes present.

I'm wondering if the heavy load heats up some component that causes preignition in the multiport Fuel injection throttle body. Combined with a vacuum leak could that be the problem?

I'm at the point of abandoning GMC forever. I have a seven year old truck with 54 000 miles on it garage stored and carefully maintained and I am losing trust in it's reliablity

I really appreciate your ideas cause I really need a fix.

LastOne
09-22-2004, 07:41 PM
My 98 Silverado has had this symptom for a year now. Dealer checked it for free as they did the CSPI to MFI injector swap on a GM policy program. The result is the 5.7's have a known problem with the valves developing an actual mechanical sticking. Mechanic said live with it or rework the heads. Seafoam through vacuum port and marvel mystery at oil change made it a bit better but in the right conditions it shakes like hell!
:crying: :crying: :crying:

Luis100
09-23-2004, 10:06 AM
OK, after taking back the truck to the shop we discover a engine code showing problems with the Camshaft Position Sensor we unplug the sensor and start the engine and the problems was there like if the sensor was dead, so we repace the sensor and the problem disapear, so I'm very happy!!!!
The check engine light never came up so we didn't know about any codes, we just plug in the scanner and magic the code came and the poblem faound. Just want averybody to know the end of my problem to try to help some.Good Luck!!!!!!

Luis
10 years working on computers
0 years working on cars

markdpro
09-23-2004, 03:17 PM
With this fuel system fuel pressure is very important to over come the poppet nozzles in the fuel injectors. If the fuel pressure drops below the poppet nozzle threshold the injector will not flow any fuel, (if fuel pressure is even as high as 45-50 PSI it will not run, usually takes 50-52 PSI to open the poppet nozzles) that is why fuel pressure and fuel volume are so critical. Under heavy load (driving at highway speeds up a hill or under heavy acceleration) the fuel system is being asked to work it's hardest, if there is a weak component that is when it will show up. Check fuel pump volume, fuel pressure regulator, and fuel system's ability to maintain fuel pressure when shut off. If your system does not maintain fuel pressure when shut down or the pump volume is low it should miss under heavy accel. or going up hills at highway speed. After verifying the fuel supply system make sure the injectors are clean. (In the range of $100.00 around here.) $474 wow is that all that was done is clean the injectors? I really like this fuel system, it is just not understood by most because it does not react like all the other electronic fuel injection systems. Last but not least make sure the spark plugs and wires are fine, and yes I prefer OEM. Hope it helps.

The thing is, that when the high throttle setting is first applied, even on a long climb, there is no problem. Its only when the throttle is closed and then reapplied that the miss occurs. Is there a fuel pressure regulator that could be sticking in a high flow situation that closes too slowly causing a temporary over pressure???? Going after the fuel pump is beyond my comfort zone since I believe it is in the fuel tank and I wouldn't want to drop the tank in my garage. If there was a regulator on the induction system though I would try that.

Houston54
10-06-2004, 10:05 AM
I have experienced this mystery problem on a trip this weekend in my 99 burb. The code that was stored designated a misfire in the #7 cylinder. Felt like the trans was going to exit the bottom of the darn truck.

The burb is in the mechanics this AM. I will post whatever he finds.

markdpro
10-06-2004, 09:16 PM
I have experienced this mystery problem on a trip this weekend in my 99 burb. The code that was stored designated a misfire in the #7 cylinder. Felt like the trans was going to exit the bottom of the darn truck.

The burb is in the mechanics this AM. I will post whatever he finds.

Hope he doesn't come up with sticking valves. I'm going to have to be very convinced before I let them start pulling the heads.

Jeff V
10-06-2004, 10:10 PM
I have been tring to solve the misfire issue for almost two years. This past week $300 more, with the same result. Don't spend another dollar sell it trade it but don't put another dime into the thing. Too many people have the same problem and after reading all these posts nobody has found the smoking gun. I am told there is a problem with the design of the heads and they must be REPLACED with NEW ones. But no guarantee. My advice sell it!!

Fireplug
10-07-2004, 11:22 AM
It cant be sticking valves.
Everyone in here has said the problem started after having a intake manifold gasket done right??
So why would it not do this problem before the gasket was done??? only after.
I have 104564 miles on mine (5.7) and it has never had a gasket done and has no miss at all.
I just dont buy the sticking valve Job
My money in on a sticking egr valve. If you take a running engine at idle and open the egr valve what happens the engine misses and or stalls now add a heavy load and bingo you have a very bad miss that was not there before the gasket was done.
Fireplug

LastOne
10-07-2004, 08:13 PM
MIne did it before I had to replace the gasket, about 20K miles before. I replaced my cam sensor and it did not help much. I have not found a scanner to check the cam retard but I have moved the dist around a bit. I too think it sucks. A truck having this kind of common problem. I am leaning toward a Tundra if I ever buy something new. GM, Ford, and Dodge don't seem to care after they have your money. Lots of Honda and Toyota cars for sale in my local paper with near 200K on them and there is still a buyer for them.

rksand
10-07-2004, 11:34 PM
My 94 has done this often and usually I find a bad wire or plug. Get out at night and see if you have any arching going on. I bet you find a light show.

bg862
10-10-2004, 06:28 PM
I too saw a light show under the hood and replaced all plugs (AC/Delco) and wires (Bosch). The light show has tamed considerably, but still see a constant flashing around one particular spark plug. I don't know the numbering system, but it is on the left (driver side) second back from the radiator. I swapped plugs and the problem stays at the same cylinder. Don't know why. Anyone?

Fireplug
10-10-2004, 07:09 PM
That would be cylinder number 3
1,8,4,3,6,5,7,2, is the fireing order.
Driver side has cylinder 1,3,5,7,Pass side 2,4,6,8,
The wire that is still sparking please check that the rubber boot is all the way down on the plug.
There should be NO sparking at all . If there is that means there is a voltage leak in the wire.
I have seen new wires leak so try switching wires and see if the sparking goes with the same wire.
You can use a spray bottle with water in it and spray a mist on it to see where the wire is bad.
Fireplug

bg862
10-10-2004, 10:57 PM
Yes, #3 is the one.
I will try swapping wires. The boot is all the way on the plug. Thanks for the tips!

Houston54
10-11-2004, 11:00 AM
I had the severe miss-firing probem on my 99 Sub. The mechanic was unable to get a fix on the problem but suggested I replace the plugs, cap and rotor. This was done using all delco parts (platinum plugs) and I have not had the problem since. I think if it does return then I will replace the EGR valve as it is not expensive and easy to get to. I did not replace the plug wires yet but will if the problem returns.

The mechanic checked all the related sensors and found all to be in working condition. I think the problem is a result of one thing going wrong that is causing a cascade effect.

LastOne
10-19-2004, 07:36 PM
Another forum, Ten Mag Chevy truck had a thread running, person with the problem like described here reports a cracked valve seat..... Some Beach!!!!!

jb128
11-05-2004, 11:25 AM
Told by dealer its the injectors, which they say they now have a service bulletin that reccomends replacing them for about $850 verus cleaning them for about $250.

Has anyone replaced the injectors? Did it fix it? I may just clean them and trade it in - my 2002 is paid off now anyway!

Jeremy-WI
11-05-2004, 01:37 PM
I replaced injectors in my 96 K1500 but not because of misfire, I had a couple leakers and needed a new fuel pressure regulator. Cost me $270 for parts delivered to the door, took two hours to replace.

After I paid to have my intake manifold gaskets replaced I had a misfire at light load cruise- 60 mph with foot barely on throttle- and I'd just feel it misfire a little. Hooked my auto xray scanner up to it and checked the cam retard- it was -11 degrees and its supposed to be 0 degrees +/- 2 degrees. Once I got it to 0 degrees the misfiring was gone. I wonder if you would get misfiring under load(or heavy acceleration) with the cam retard too positive

back2life
11-06-2004, 10:46 PM
That would be cylinder number 3
1,8,4,3,6,5,7,2, is the fireing order.
Driver side has cylinder 1,3,5,7,Pass side 2,4,6,8,
The wire that is still sparking please check that the rubber boot is all the way down on the plug.
There should be NO sparking at all . If there is that means there is a voltage leak in the wire.
I have seen new wires leak so try switching wires and see if the sparking goes with the same wire.
You can use a spray bottle with water in it and spray a mist on it to see where the wire is bad.
Fireplug
DESCRIBE EXACTLY HOW YOU USE THE SPRAYMIST TO FIND BAD WIRES! I HAVE THAT SAME PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHT SHOW UNDER THE BOOTS!

Fireplug
11-07-2004, 11:17 AM
With the engine running spray a mist of water on all ign parts , wires , plugs , coils and look for any sparks. If there are any sparks the there is a problem. Lets say the ign wire boot has sparks comming from it . The wire is bad or the spark plug is cracked. To pin point the correct 1 switch the sparking wire with a nonsparking wire and see if the light show goes with the wire or stays at the cylinder if it stays at the cylinder then you have a cracked spark plug. also mad sure that the ign wires are all the way down on the plug and snap or click tight.

yardion143
11-13-2004, 06:30 PM
I have a 99 chevy sub with the 5.7 and I had the seal replaced under the intake manifold and now it miss fires when I climb a hill and get to peak it will missfire badly. It will never do it when your climbing the hill or on flat ground but only when the engine has been enganged on the hill and then comes off of a little. It only happens at speeds over 50 MPH. I have replaced the plugs, wires, cap & rotor, and the fuel filter. The dealer wants to replace all these parts again and charge me 500 for it. I need some Ideas. I took it to another mechanic and he sees it misfire with the scope while driving but can't pinpoint it.

Thanks

Tony

Hi,
check your timing...maybe distributor was loose enough to be turned by mechanic torquing down the manifold.

frootl00p3
01-04-2005, 01:29 AM
It cant be sticking valves.
Everyone in here has said the problem started after having a intake manifold gasket done right??
So why would it not do this problem before the gasket was done??? only after.
I have 104564 miles on mine (5.7) and it has never had a gasket done and has no miss at all.
I just dont buy the sticking valve Job
My money in on a sticking egr valve. If you take a running engine at idle and open the egr valve what happens the engine misses and or stalls now add a heavy load and bingo you have a very bad miss that was not there before the gasket was done.
Fireplug

Um, mine does it and I have not had the gasket job done. My suburban has 90K miles on it. Haven't put any money into it yet. Love my truck wouldn't sell it, just want to fix it. think there might be something to the fuel system cleaning idea. Had a 77 chevy, put bad gas into it one time, it ran like crap for months. I went through 30 plus fuel filters, and it always misfired until it eventually stalled, at which time (rain, hail, snow or never sun) I had to replace that darn fuel filter on the side of the road.
Jodi

markdpro
01-04-2005, 06:19 PM
Um, mine does it and I have not had the gasket job done. My suburban has 90K miles on it. Haven't put any money into it yet. Love my truck wouldn't sell it, just want to fix it. think there might be something to the fuel system cleaning idea. Had a 77 chevy, put bad gas into it one time, it ran like crap for months. I went through 30 plus fuel filters, and it always misfired until it eventually stalled, at which time (rain, hail, snow or never sun) I had to replace that darn fuel filter on the side of the road.
Jodi

Well - I don't usually go for better living through chemistry - but I blew a can of intake cleaner - cat converter safe - through the open throttle body after removing the zip tube/ resonator box (the box on top of the engine, comes off with the thumb screw) and my problem has gone into hiding. There was a film of carbon in the plenum and I believe that indicates some backfire condition and the cleaner dissolved it. There is a post in this thread where a guy used "Seafoam" whatever that is and got some positive results. Nobody else has. I don't like it because I have no idea what I changed but yeasterday I climbed "the hill" at full throttle full load and I did not get the miss.

myname
01-04-2005, 07:48 PM
What type of cleaner did you use? After reading this thread, I to may be having this same type of problem.....has any one noticed if the problem gets worse if you take a hard left under heavy exceleration?

markdpro
01-04-2005, 11:10 PM
What type of cleaner did you use? After reading this thread, I to may be having this same type of problem.....has any one noticed if the problem gets worse if you take a hard left under heavy exceleration?

I used a Solder Seal/Gunk spray called INTAKE MEDIC

frootl00p3
01-07-2005, 12:22 AM
My father is an old time mechanic and used to work on cars, before they became computerized. He is pretty knowledgeable and I get 99% of my information from him. From what he has always taught me, I don't think it is a good idea to stick anything in your engine that is a sealant. I could be wrong, but I would be leary since you don't really know what it will choose to seal and how dearly you will have to pay in the long run.

myname
01-10-2005, 07:15 PM
Solder Seal/Gunk is a brand name, and yes, they do make a sealer for your radiator! Intake Medic is an entirely different product however! :)

GrandmaK
05-14-2005, 09:58 AM
We have had misfire problems with our 1999 Suburban for quite some time. It usually showed up when going up a hill. The 'service engine light' would come on but when the codes were checked by a dealer or our mechanic there was only a 'random misfire' listed. I came to this site to because I was interested to see what other people had to say about what seems to be a chronic problem.

We purchased our 1999 in 2000. It was previously owned by a GMC sales manager. The first time we had problems was in 2002. At that time we replaced the plug wire set and the platinum plugs.

In 2003 we replaced the fuel pump.

In 2004 we replaced the distributor cap and the rotor. We replaced the platinum plugs again.

Later in 2004 we had the fuel injectors cleaned and the gas filter replaced and had the codes set by a dealer.

We had put on an after-market K&N airfilter. The beginning of 2005,we replaced the air filter and it ran fairly well for a few months.

But this month the 'service engine' light came on again. When we took it in the 'recommended fix' was to replace the CSFI fuel injection system with MFI injectors which we did. The water pump was leaking and had to be replaced also. When the suburban was taken for a test drive before we took it home, they checked for misfires and found that the #3 & #4 cylinder had a few misfires but cylinder #5 had 500 misfires on the test drive. So obviously changing to the MFI fuel injection was not the fix for us. We trust our mechanic and he has tried to fix the problem but it is ellusive!

The next suggestion was to replace the air sensor or replace the manifold intake gasket. We're not sure if we should or want to try this next.

My husband is just about ready to take JeffV's out and sell it, but I like the suburban and would like to fix the problem.

Any new suggestions?? Has anyone else who has had this problem been able to find a fix that has lasted??

The posts here have given us some additional things to consider and I appreciate the information.

GrandmaK
05-17-2005, 07:54 PM
Did anyone find a permanent solution to the misfire problem?

suburban_lee
05-20-2005, 02:29 PM
Did anyone find a permanent solution to the misfire problem?

Yes. It took some time - a lot of time, and on a whim, we changed the cam sensor. The misfire has gone away and I can now pull a nice steep hill going 70 or so MPH in all of the 4 miles per gallon glory that a Burb has when pushing it like that!

Up until that point, here's what was done, all of which did NOT resolve the problem:

New plugs
New wires
New cap and rotor
New fuel injector (#4 was the initial cylinder)
New intake manifold gasket
Crank sensor
Checked fuel pressure and cylinder compression (again #4)

GrandmaK
05-22-2005, 07:34 PM
Thanks Suburban Lee,
I'll pass on the information to our mechanic about the cam sensor.

Our suburban is scheduled to go in on Tues for intake manifold gasket replacement and some kind of air sensor.

Has anyone contacted GMC about the numerous problems that some of us have had with the misfire and rough running problems of this model?

dwallace1234
06-14-2005, 11:29 PM
Thanks Suburban Lee,
I'll pass on the information to our mechanic about the cam sensor.

Our suburban is scheduled to go in on Tues for intake manifold gasket replacement and some kind of air sensor.

Has anyone contacted GMC about the numerous problems that some of us have had with the misfire and rough running problems of this model?

I have read a lot of threads about this. I also have a 1999 C1500 Suburban. Same problem as everyone. Except I had to have the lifters replaced at about 85,000 miles. But when the lifters were replaced, of course the intake gasket was also replaced. The misfiring and shaking stopped or about 15,000 miles. But, IT's BACK!!!! One thing I have noticed is that when I run Super Unleaded gas, the misfiring is almost not there! I also have changed:

Distributor
Plugs (3 times; always using Platinum)
Plug wires
Fuel Filter
Coil
Distributor cap
Rotor
And, of course lifters!!!

Any ideas on why running hi-octane gas helps the misfiring not is so apparent?

dwallace1234
06-14-2005, 11:43 PM
I have read a lot of threads about this. I also have a 1999 C1500 Suburban. Same problem as everyone. Except I had to have the lifters replaced at about 85,000 miles. But when the lifters were replaced, of course the intake gasket was also replaced. The misfiring and shaking stopped or about 15,000 miles. But, IT's BACK!!!! One thing I have noticed is that when I run Super Unleaded gas, the misfiring is almost not there! I also have changed:

Distributor
Plugs (3 times; always using Platinum)
Plug wires
Fuel Filter
Coil
Distributor cap
Rotor
And, of course lifters!!!

Any ideas on why running hi-octane gas helps the misfiring not is so apparent?

Also, there has been some posting on other forums regarding a HSTSA Bulletin # 3081. It talks about replacing the EVAP Canister Vent Hose Assembly. Anyone try that?

suburban_lee
06-17-2005, 09:34 AM
I have read a lot of threads about this. I also have a 1999 C1500 Suburban. Same problem as everyone. Except I had to have the lifters replaced at about 85,000 miles. But when the lifters were replaced, of course the intake gasket was also replaced. The misfiring and shaking stopped or about 15,000 miles. But, IT's BACK!!!! One thing I have noticed is that when I run Super Unleaded gas, the misfiring is almost not there! I also have changed:

Distributor
Plugs (3 times; always using Platinum)
Plug wires
Fuel Filter
Coil
Distributor cap
Rotor
And, of course lifters!!!

Any ideas on why running hi-octane gas helps the misfiring not is so apparent?

This is my second burb. In total, I've put about 150K miles on these vehicles and I've never run high octane gasoline. Just me, but I think almost not there is not a qualifier. If there's a misfire, there's something wrong. If there's nothing wrong, then I don't care what kind of fuel you run through these vehicles.

I'm curious to hear from GrandmaK as to whether the CAM sensor proved to be a solution to the problem.

markdpro
06-20-2005, 03:40 PM
OK, after taking back the truck to the shop we discover a engine code showing problems with the Camshaft Position Sensor we unplug the sensor and start the engine and the problems was there like if the sensor was dead, so we repace the sensor and the problem disapear, so I'm very happy!!!!
The check engine light never came up so we didn't know about any codes, we just plug in the scanner and magic the code came and the poblem faound. Just want averybody to know the end of my problem to try to help some.Good Luck!!!!!!

Luis
10 years working on computers
0 years working on cars

I wonder if the intake could be icing??????

dwallace1234
06-20-2005, 04:12 PM
Suburban Lee: Did you replace the Cam Sensor Position Module? Thanks.

suburban_lee
06-21-2005, 08:53 AM
Suburban Lee: Did you replace the Cam Sensor Position Module? Thanks.

Cam Sensor Position Module?? Hmmm, sounds fancy. I referred to it as the Cam sensor. I assume we're talking about the same thing. Small part, about 2 by 1 inches, around $25 or so. If this doesn't answer your question, send me an e-mail.

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