no power/rough idle/but new plugs
stickboy101
11-02-2004, 06:52 PM
OK...here's the story...95 Aurora...110,000 miles
Was running good up to a few days ago. I got in it, and by the end of the driveway I knew something was wrong. The idle was rough/uneven. When I gave it the gas, I realized that it had no power and it hesitates big time. The shifting is hard and it seems to shift at higher rpms...but hardly any power, as I've said.
The kicker...I replaced the plugs (I used AC Delco's) and I replaced the fuel filter. My plug wires were replaced 3 months ago (again, AC Delco). That was the 3rd time I've replaced them since 70,000 miles. But with new plugs and new fule filter it didn't fix the problem. I checked the engine in the dark and sure enough, the wires, at least the front 4, that I could see, are arching onto the engine. This has been the case the 3 previous times. No dash lights are on....no codes. My friend thinks I should buy an after market ground wire from Advance and hook it up from the engine to the body. Shouldn't one ground wire be enough? Just to be sure I cleaned the ground contacts from the coil pack to the engine and from the engine to the body, but no dice. The body grounds at the battery look excellent. I'm taking it to an Olds mechanic on Friday, but I was wondering what all of you think?
Was running good up to a few days ago. I got in it, and by the end of the driveway I knew something was wrong. The idle was rough/uneven. When I gave it the gas, I realized that it had no power and it hesitates big time. The shifting is hard and it seems to shift at higher rpms...but hardly any power, as I've said.
The kicker...I replaced the plugs (I used AC Delco's) and I replaced the fuel filter. My plug wires were replaced 3 months ago (again, AC Delco). That was the 3rd time I've replaced them since 70,000 miles. But with new plugs and new fule filter it didn't fix the problem. I checked the engine in the dark and sure enough, the wires, at least the front 4, that I could see, are arching onto the engine. This has been the case the 3 previous times. No dash lights are on....no codes. My friend thinks I should buy an after market ground wire from Advance and hook it up from the engine to the body. Shouldn't one ground wire be enough? Just to be sure I cleaned the ground contacts from the coil pack to the engine and from the engine to the body, but no dice. The body grounds at the battery look excellent. I'm taking it to an Olds mechanic on Friday, but I was wondering what all of you think?
Retro-D
11-03-2004, 05:38 AM
OK...here's the story...95 Aurora...110,000 miles
Was running good up to a few days ago. I got in it, and by the end of the driveway I knew something was wrong. The idle was rough/uneven. When I gave it the gas, I realized that it had no power and it hesitates big time. The shifting is hard and it seems to shift at higher rpms...but hardly any power, as I've said.
The kicker...I replaced the plugs (I used AC Delco's) and I replaced the fuel filter. My plug wires were replaced 3 months ago (again, AC Delco). That was the 3rd time I've replaced them since 70,000 miles. But with new plugs and new fule filter it didn't fix the problem. I checked the engine in the dark and sure enough, the wires, at least the front 4, that I could see, are arching onto the engine. This has been the case the 3 previous times. No dash lights are on....no codes. My friend thinks I should buy an after market ground wire from Advance and hook it up from the engine to the body. Shouldn't one ground wire be enough? Just to be sure I cleaned the ground contacts from the coil pack to the engine and from the engine to the body, but no dice. The body grounds at the battery look excellent. I'm taking it to an Olds mechanic on Friday, but I was wondering what all of you think?
As far as the wires, do you hear actual arcing (snap snap) or are you observing Corona effect? The Corona effect can happen when atmospheric conditions are right. High humidity and low barometric pressure combined with the high voltage of the ignition system will create an electrostatic field around the plug wires and will in effect, ionize the ~air~ around the plug wires. Thereby causing the glow. Since this is a breakdown of the surrounding air (not the wires) it will not affect ignition performance. If you have access to a fuel pressure gage check the pressure at the fuel rail (under the engine cover) should be reading 41-47 lbs. I would also check engine vacuum at the same time.
RD
Was running good up to a few days ago. I got in it, and by the end of the driveway I knew something was wrong. The idle was rough/uneven. When I gave it the gas, I realized that it had no power and it hesitates big time. The shifting is hard and it seems to shift at higher rpms...but hardly any power, as I've said.
The kicker...I replaced the plugs (I used AC Delco's) and I replaced the fuel filter. My plug wires were replaced 3 months ago (again, AC Delco). That was the 3rd time I've replaced them since 70,000 miles. But with new plugs and new fule filter it didn't fix the problem. I checked the engine in the dark and sure enough, the wires, at least the front 4, that I could see, are arching onto the engine. This has been the case the 3 previous times. No dash lights are on....no codes. My friend thinks I should buy an after market ground wire from Advance and hook it up from the engine to the body. Shouldn't one ground wire be enough? Just to be sure I cleaned the ground contacts from the coil pack to the engine and from the engine to the body, but no dice. The body grounds at the battery look excellent. I'm taking it to an Olds mechanic on Friday, but I was wondering what all of you think?
As far as the wires, do you hear actual arcing (snap snap) or are you observing Corona effect? The Corona effect can happen when atmospheric conditions are right. High humidity and low barometric pressure combined with the high voltage of the ignition system will create an electrostatic field around the plug wires and will in effect, ionize the ~air~ around the plug wires. Thereby causing the glow. Since this is a breakdown of the surrounding air (not the wires) it will not affect ignition performance. If you have access to a fuel pressure gage check the pressure at the fuel rail (under the engine cover) should be reading 41-47 lbs. I would also check engine vacuum at the same time.
RD
The Rebel
11-04-2004, 05:45 AM
OK...here's the story...95 Aurora...110,000 miles
Was running good up to a few days ago. I got in it, and by the end of the driveway I knew something was wrong. The idle was rough/uneven. When I gave it the gas, I realized that it had no power and it hesitates big time. The shifting is hard and it seems to shift at higher rpms...but hardly any power, as I've said.
The kicker...I replaced the plugs (I used AC Delco's) and I replaced the fuel filter. My plug wires were replaced 3 months ago (again, AC Delco). That was the 3rd time I've replaced them since 70,000 miles. But with new plugs and new fule filter it didn't fix the problem. I checked the engine in the dark and sure enough, the wires, at least the front 4, that I could see, are arching onto the engine. This has been the case the 3 previous times. No dash lights are on....no codes. My friend thinks I should buy an after market ground wire from Advance and hook it up from the engine to the body. Shouldn't one ground wire be enough? Just to be sure I cleaned the ground contacts from the coil pack to the engine and from the engine to the body, but no dice. The body grounds at the battery look excellent. I'm taking it to an Olds mechanic on Friday, but I was wondering what all of you think?
:2cents:Sounds like your "intake" manifold gasket. Since your taking it to the Dealer (Olds mechanic) on Friday you'll be sure to tell them that its running rough & that to check for that, (intake manifold gasket). Let us know how you did.:)
Was running good up to a few days ago. I got in it, and by the end of the driveway I knew something was wrong. The idle was rough/uneven. When I gave it the gas, I realized that it had no power and it hesitates big time. The shifting is hard and it seems to shift at higher rpms...but hardly any power, as I've said.
The kicker...I replaced the plugs (I used AC Delco's) and I replaced the fuel filter. My plug wires were replaced 3 months ago (again, AC Delco). That was the 3rd time I've replaced them since 70,000 miles. But with new plugs and new fule filter it didn't fix the problem. I checked the engine in the dark and sure enough, the wires, at least the front 4, that I could see, are arching onto the engine. This has been the case the 3 previous times. No dash lights are on....no codes. My friend thinks I should buy an after market ground wire from Advance and hook it up from the engine to the body. Shouldn't one ground wire be enough? Just to be sure I cleaned the ground contacts from the coil pack to the engine and from the engine to the body, but no dice. The body grounds at the battery look excellent. I'm taking it to an Olds mechanic on Friday, but I was wondering what all of you think?
:2cents:Sounds like your "intake" manifold gasket. Since your taking it to the Dealer (Olds mechanic) on Friday you'll be sure to tell them that its running rough & that to check for that, (intake manifold gasket). Let us know how you did.:)
stickboy101
11-04-2004, 12:01 PM
Last night I checked the plug wires in a dark garage. I could not see any arching on the plug wires. Strange. Two days before it arched all over the place. But, of course, the car is still running like crap. I'm stuck in Pennsylvania at my parents house. I will be sure to mention the intake manifold gasket to the mechanic tomorrow. I did put a new manifold gasket in last summer when I thought my starter went out and had to take the manifold off. It turned out to be my ignition switch in the steering column, but the manifold got a new gasket when it was put back together.
It also seems to be running rich. I thought about the fuel pressure regulator, but its new. It was replaced with my fuel rail recall 4 weeks ago (not that it matters, I guess...not with this car).
It also seems to be running rich. I thought about the fuel pressure regulator, but its new. It was replaced with my fuel rail recall 4 weeks ago (not that it matters, I guess...not with this car).
Sweet William
11-04-2004, 01:15 PM
Sounds like you should check the EGR valve. Running rich is a good description of what happens when they stick. Clean it up good and stick it back in. Easy to do and wont cost you anything to try it.
Plug wires are a trip in new cars. The amount of juice running thru them is pretty amazing. I could here one of mine snapping on the backside of the motor so I removed the motor cover and went out on a country road to see if I could find it. What a light show! I put new AC wires and plugs and went back to the country. I could still see light all over the place. This is when I was told about the corona effect. You can put a wire in your hand and watch the spark travel across it. Can't feel anything, just wild to check out.
Plug wires are a trip in new cars. The amount of juice running thru them is pretty amazing. I could here one of mine snapping on the backside of the motor so I removed the motor cover and went out on a country road to see if I could find it. What a light show! I put new AC wires and plugs and went back to the country. I could still see light all over the place. This is when I was told about the corona effect. You can put a wire in your hand and watch the spark travel across it. Can't feel anything, just wild to check out.
Rocketv8
11-04-2004, 02:58 PM
:) i have a 97 aurora
i had a similar problem with ignition miss after having replaced plugs and wires...i turned out that the wires were routed incorrectly and rubbed through, causing an arc and therefore, a misfire. apparently, the plugs and wires arent easy to get to when changing, and the machanic that changed mine didnt know the correct routing pattern...after about 2000 miles, the car developed a misfire due to the worn through wire, and then, one of the coils went as a result....it may also be a coil problem, although if it was, the service engine light would usually turn on, and , if the misfire is bad enough, the light will flash on and off and the car will "tremble" and hesitate badly
by the way, have you had the fuel rails replaced as per the recent recall??? if not you could be losing some fuel pressure if ther is any kind of even a tiny leak and that could cause the car to hesitate, etc
good luck
i had a similar problem with ignition miss after having replaced plugs and wires...i turned out that the wires were routed incorrectly and rubbed through, causing an arc and therefore, a misfire. apparently, the plugs and wires arent easy to get to when changing, and the machanic that changed mine didnt know the correct routing pattern...after about 2000 miles, the car developed a misfire due to the worn through wire, and then, one of the coils went as a result....it may also be a coil problem, although if it was, the service engine light would usually turn on, and , if the misfire is bad enough, the light will flash on and off and the car will "tremble" and hesitate badly
by the way, have you had the fuel rails replaced as per the recent recall??? if not you could be losing some fuel pressure if ther is any kind of even a tiny leak and that could cause the car to hesitate, etc
good luck
stickboy101
11-04-2004, 10:19 PM
In answer to the most recent post...yes, I had the fuel rail recall done about a month ago. Just let me say, this is all helpful stuff. Thanks so much to all contributers to this thread. I'm in the process of cleaning my EGR valve right now. I got on the computer to look up some threads about the cleaning process. I'm looking at an EGR valve for the first time and I have questions about cleaning it...like how? From what I can see there isn't much I can actually clean.
treeboy38
11-04-2004, 10:51 PM
cleaning the EGR is very easy, just dont drop the screws into the engine (use a magnet of some kind)
http://caddyinfo.netgetgoing.com/howto/egrvalvecleaning.htm
http://caddyinfo.netgetgoing.com/howto/egrvalvecleaning.htm
Retro-D
11-05-2004, 06:05 AM
stickboy101
11-05-2004, 10:38 AM
Thanks everyone...BIG HELP! I cleaned the EGR, but sad to say, no change in engine performance. In 1 hour the car will be in the hands of an Olds technician and hopefully he will find the problem. And hopefully it won't cost too much. I'll let you all know.
stickboy101
11-05-2004, 03:09 PM
The verdict from the Olds garage has come in...
I had a bad coil. It feels anti-climatic. I was missing a "conduit" on one of my spark plug wires also. I'm not sure what the "conduit" is or what it does, but just so its there, I guess. I'm happy. It cost 174 bucks to find out the problem and put in the new coil and conduit. I could have saved myself some money putting in the coil myself, but at that point I was just happy to have an answer and the problem taken care of.
Thanks everyone. I appreciate the help. Before the coil was replaced, I basically gave my car a tune-up...HA HA!
I had a bad coil. It feels anti-climatic. I was missing a "conduit" on one of my spark plug wires also. I'm not sure what the "conduit" is or what it does, but just so its there, I guess. I'm happy. It cost 174 bucks to find out the problem and put in the new coil and conduit. I could have saved myself some money putting in the coil myself, but at that point I was just happy to have an answer and the problem taken care of.
Thanks everyone. I appreciate the help. Before the coil was replaced, I basically gave my car a tune-up...HA HA!
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