Alarming Start

Hello I own a 2000 Ls V8 with 130000,Although this car has really been driven by me im starting to have issues. When i try to start my car it kinda starts but then it powers down and then the alarm sounds. I have to sit for about 5 min for this to pass and then when i push the gas it finally starts. Sometimes even when i push the gas it still wont start. Also there is a vapor that is coming from under the hood on the drivers side. I was told that it may be the valve cover gasket leaking onto something hot and that is making the vapor. However, there is also a smell that comes in trough the ac. Other than that the drives seat makes this whining noise when it reclines, it only does the whining when the weather is cold. What could this be? I can live with everything but the car not starting and the smoke. HELP ME PLEASE.

Welcome to the forum!

On the V8, it's pretty easy to check the valve cover gaskets for leaks. I agree that the smell, if it smells like burning oil, is probably related to a head gasket issue. If you don't see oil leaking out of the valve cover gaskets, then pull the spark plug covers and remove all 8 coils, inspecting them for signs of oil. If you see traces of oil, you'll want to consider replacing the valve cover gaskets and at least the coils that have oil on them. There have been NUMEROUS posts on this forum related to the valve cover gasket issues, as well as a few posts detailing the updated gasket set that you'd want to use. Therefore, I'm not going to post that information again. If you haven't already used it, there is a very handy keyword "Search this forum" tool from the LS forum main page. If you have a misfire due to an oil leak, that could be contributing to the starting issue.

Also, the battery in the LS has caused some pretty interesting electrical and starting system issues. If your battery is nearing the end of its expected life, you should consider replacing it. Even batteries that pass a load test can be too weak to reliably power these cars. Again, you can search the forum for details on symptoms others have experienced that apparently were remedied by a new battery. For example, my wifes 2002 LS V6 would often stall for her as soon as she shifted out of reverse after backing down our driveway. It always started right back up. I checked the coils and replaced the PCV elbow to no avail. Still stalled. The I replaced the battery and have had no further instance of the stalling. That was a year ago.

-Rod

replacing the battery and the valve cover gaskets worked great and cost about 500 with parts and labor but i went to a friend of my moms. thanks so much.