pcv?

okay, theres only been a few threads about this with no real answer

I have the pulsing or surging when i acclerate and plan to replace the pcv valve

but then today i could feel the car wasnt running to par, so i stomped on it on the highway and then my service engine soon light came on.

Will the pcv cause a light to come on? if so then i'm not as worried but if its something else then that will be bad.

I also have a rear main oil leak but i know that wouldnt cause a service light to come on.

ANY INSIGHT WILL BE NICE! thanks guys

It is doubtful but not impossible for the PCV valve to cause the CEL to come on. I would get the computer scanned to get the actual code. The current issue could be anything from a bad O2 sensor to a problem with an engine misfire. Once you get the computer scanned post the codes and someone will help you with the repair. Autozone scans for free.

I planned on going to Autozone tomorrow, hopefully its a cheap fix!

okay, so tonight i was out waiting for my girlfriend and saw some slight smoke coming up from the drivers side tail pipe.

Not to sure if it truly was smoke because its so cold out and it had only been runnin for awhile.

And on start up it shakes

And at highway speeds 55-85 it pulses and my cel flashes

okay, so tonight i was out waiting for my girlfriend and saw some slight smoke coming up from the drivers side tail pipe.

Not to sure if it truly was smoke because its so cold out and it had only been runnin for awhile.

And on start up it shakes

And at highway speeds 55-85 it pulses and my cel flashes


It would be helpful if you could tell us what model Grand Prix you have to include engine and mileage. When the SES light flashes it indicates a misfire condition.

bnaylor3400- how it going. I think it could be an o2 sencer, but like you said, we need a little more info.

havent gotten it checked out yet. A little hungover...

But its a 99 GT 3.8 V-6
108,456 miles

lol

so if the light blinks then stays on then could it be a misfire?

It does feel like its rough and even idling the tach fluxuates...

It has new spark plugs about 1000 miles ago, i didnt change the wires though....

so if the light blinks then stays on then could it be a misfire?

It does feel like its rough and even idling the tach fluxuates...

It has new spark plugs about 1000 miles ago, i didnt change the wires though....

If the SES light stays on then as suggested get it scanned. You'll be looking for P030X misfire codes on the reader. Last digit of the error code will tell you which cylinder(s) is acting up.

Since you have over 100K miles, I would say that the spark plug wires is the best starting point for a misfire. However, stay with the OEM AC Delco 7mm premium silicone wires.

yea, definetly believe its a missfire. This morning when warming up you could hear the engine missing, i dont think it will be a fouled plug i have the acdelco iridiums.

So i'm guessing wires or even one of the 3 DIS modules.

You are probably correct in assuming that it is a misfire, I would get it scanned anyway as it will point you in the direction you need to go. If it is a single plug or multiple misfires. The approach is the same but the solution may be different.

Okay, so i'm at my automotive class looking at alldata and have all the testing information, once i get it scanned i'll update and then hopefully get a fix.

Thanks everyone who helped out

Sounds good.

Freakin Auto Zone

So i have NO Time between school and work, so i go in at 8 and the Auto Zone dumbasses go "I ONLY HAVE 2 PEOPLE SO WE CANT DO IT!"

There was no one even in the parking lot...

But on my way to the zone my car was shaking really bad when idling, and i've noticed a smokey mix coming from the tailpipe, its not really smoke but theres always a constant moisture cloud.

So i've kinda narrowed it down, its either (hopefully) a bad spark plug, the wires, or even a coil. And possibly an injector? oh well, updates soon

Getting it scanned tomorrow!

Just by that, sounds like an egr valve, anybody agree with me on this?

Ok, so i got it scanned P303

Cylinder 3 misfire

I replaced the plug wires

Forgot to put the metal cap things back on so it shuttered and i got home and they were half off

So now its all back on...

Now VAMC thinks its an egr, i'll keep my eye out, it still has a bit of a smokey mix coming out...

Check all of your vacuum lines. I broke the plastic hard-form tube that goes to the PCV valve right at the rubber elbow so I did a quick fix with some tape around it until I could pick a new one up from the dealer.

It ran fine until the connection came loose and then the thing wouldn't idle at all. It was surging and shaking until I locked the connection back in place and got home.

There should be a sticker on the front radiator support beam that shows all of the vacuum lines. It'd be worth it to check all of them.

Ok, so i got it scanned P303

Cylinder 3 misfire

I replaced the plug wires

Forgot to put the metal cap things back on so it shuttered and i got home and they were half off

So now its all back on...

Now VAMC thinks its an egr, i'll keep my eye out, it still has a bit of a smokey mix coming out...
Its just the way you are discribing it, thats why i also chose the egr as a canadate.

well guess what happened today, SES LIGHT!

Damn thing, so its not near as bad, but i do get that cloud of vapor, like when you start your car on a cold day, i get that all day! every stop sign everything! Yea its cold out, but it shouldnt do that afterwards.

So i'm thinkin EGR valve

And no its not any vaccum lines, my car doesent surge near as bad as it would without one

egr or could be a maf. i would stat with an egr first.

The MAP sensor gets it's vacuum signal through the PCV valve, and will trip an insufficient EGR flow code if the PCV valve is clogged or one of the o-rings is missing or damaged. You never stated if you actually tried replacing the PCV valve or not. Try changing the PCV valve, and make sure the spring and both o-rings are there and in good shape. GM makes a repair kit (89017274) that includes a new valve, the 2 o-rings, the spring and the plastic cover that the MAP sensor clips into if yours is damaged.

Since the SES light is back get it scanned again but be sure to get all error codes. Like Rich suggested check your PCV valve out. If the orings are missing it will set off an EGR flow problem in the form of DTC error code P0401. Another thing you can do is remove the EGR valve and check for carboning up. There are two 13mm nuts holding it onto the flange. Clean with carb cleaner and then lube spring loaded pintle with WD40. Make sure pintle moves freely. With EGR off inspect exhaust manifold to intake manifold crossover pipe and monting flange. If you remove the EGR it is highly recommended to put on a new gasket.

Since you have a GT with a NA Series II 3800 you could have upper intake manifold (UIM) problems. The white smoke/steam you see could be coolant burning off. Check your engine oil and cooling system for possble cross contamination and monitor cooling system level.

Between the two of us, we'll get this guy help yet Bob. As the intake problem results in cracks at the EGR valve passage , I should have suggested that myself.

ok???!!

Between the two of us, we'll get this guy help yet Bob. As the intake problem results in cracks at the EGR valve passage , I should have suggested that myself.

lol. We all make a good team. Hopefully he gets it resolved. :dunno:


ok???!!

That includes you too Andrew. lol. :lol:

Thanks Bob.

Haha, well i took my car around and ran it, ran real shitty.

Got pissed, went inside, took a nap

Come back out (in freezing cold)

Checked all the plugs and wires and come to find out the #6 wire had come off the plug itself.

So then i dicked with it for a long time, then said screw it and took the metal piece off thats suppsed to hold the wires, and now it fits perfect.

And the SES light went off by itself!

FIXED!

Sorry vamc, I didn't mean you weren't helping, I was referring to Bob bringing up the intake issue that I should have included in my post. It wasn't an attack against you at all vamc, your suggestion of an EGR is valid as well. I apologize if you took what I said wrong, as of course you are included.

No problem.