new to the forums with some questions

Hello all... My name is Josh and I Live in tennessee.. I am new to the group and just got my first chevy about a year ago.. Shes 2006 Silverado Z71 .. now I do have a few questions...

1: I have been trying for about 4 months to find out exactly what motor I have.. I know its a 5.3L but what throws me off is there is lets see like 5 5.3L for my model year... now I do know that inside the gas cap door is a sticker stating that my truck is E-85 approved.. is my motor flex fuel 5.3L? is there a way to enter my VIN and get exact details about my truck?


2: I have MAJOR hesitation in acceleration with my truck, the CEL is on and gives code for Knock Sensor.. would a bad knock sensor cause this or is my problem more in depth.. if the knock sensor is the problem.. where and how to change it would be apprechiated..


3: Terrible smell emmiting from exhaust.. like rotten eggs or something.. someone once said this was because of a bad catlyatc converter.. true or false??


4: best aftermarket cat-back exhaust system for this truck?? was look at flowmaster super flow 40 series.. any input?


5: Rear side windows leaking air.. any way to tighten their seal?


6: Will extreme heat inside vehicle cause rear window to slide causing water intrusion?


thanks for any help given..

Joshua

Hello all... My name is Josh and I Live in tennessee.. I am new to the group and just got my first chevy about a year ago.. Shes 2006 Silverado Z71 .. now I do have a few questions...

1: I have been trying for about 4 months to find out exactly what motor I have.. I know its a 5.3L but what throws me off is there is lets see like 5 5.3L for my model year... now I do know that inside the gas cap door is a sticker stating that my truck is E-85 approved.. is my motor flex fuel 5.3L? is there a way to enter my VIN and get exact details about my truck?


2: I have MAJOR hesitation in acceleration with my truck, the CEL is on and gives code for Knock Sensor.. would a bad knock sensor cause this or is my problem more in depth.. if the knock sensor is the problem.. where and how to change it would be apprechiated..


3: Terrible smell emmiting from exhaust.. like rotten eggs or something.. someone once said this was because of a bad catlyatc converter.. true or false??


4: best aftermarket cat-back exhaust system for this truck?? was look at flowmaster super flow 40 series.. any input?


5: Rear side windows leaking air.. any way to tighten their seal?


6: Will extreme heat inside vehicle cause rear window to slide causing water intrusion?


thanks for any help given..

Joshua

how many miles on this 2 year old vehicle....?

I would go to chevy dealer with your vin # and ask exactly what engine you have...

then with all that come back with some of this info...

you could have low fuel pressure causing the vehicle to run lean or an intake manifold gasket....if the intake manifold gasket is leaking dexcool on to the hidden knock sensors this is very possible...
can you smell coolant or are you losing coolant????

warrantee???

I had a locking gas cap that didn't seal and it wreaked havoc with the engine. It took awhile to find the problem...the dealer wanted to replace numerous items like the fuel sensor, pump, some kind of canister and all of the fuel lines.

if you have the wrong gas cap or no cap you will get dtc that indicates an incorrect gas tank vapor vacuum/pressure...this should not cause the problems that this owner is having ...

My Truck currently has 68,500 miles and no warranty.. not leaking any coolant or smelling any... and i will try to get to the chevy place today, nearest one is about an hour away.. maybe i can call them or something.. thank you all for the input.. any more is greatly apprechiated!!!


Joshua

EDIT: Also, one time i didnt seem to tighten the gas cap all the way and where it has the odometer a message appeared telling me to " Tighten Gas Cap " so i did .. and it went away, now another sympton of this whole Knock sensor error code coming on is that, if i fill up the fuel tank and reset the code the CEL will remain off until 1/4 tank of gas and then it comes back on... now recently i have been trying to run BP gasoline in the vehicle.. its supposed to have some special formula... invigorate or something like that.. supposedly it cleans your entire fuel system.. it actually seems to be helping.. some shade tree mechanic had also said something about low fuel pressure and suggested that i swap out fuel pumps, i really find it had to stomach that a vehicle this well mantained and fairly low mileage could be inneed of a fuel pump already.. but maybe im wrong.. :( sure hope not!.. just to give an idea of how sick she really is, if i am at a complete stop with the truck in 1 gear on gravel, it will bearly spin tire on dead take off, now at like 25mph - 30 on gravel and punch it and it will get sideways... i know this isnt good treatment for a vehicle but i just wanted to give an example of how my baby is running.. PLEASE HELP!! (some more!) lol

if you have the wrong gas cap or no cap you will get dtc that indicates an incorrect gas tank vapor vacuum/pressure...this should not cause the problems that this owner is having ...
jCat you are absolutely right...I was answering a question in another thread and somehow got into this one. Sorry for the confusion.
Sonny01

mileage runs fast on tennessean distances, ain't it? 6 yrs there, know how goes it.

well, josh from tennessee, welcome to the world of silverados. though baby it is for you, it was not for its parents - GM. reliability is poor, and that's a complement.
fuel pumps - and i am not saying yours is bad - are notorious issue.
figures you have extended cab, ay? so do i, and my rear windows do leak air too. i got tired of this and simply caulked them. yep.... and many have same problem.

if it codes bad sensor, just replace it, it's not that much of a deal.
it is normal for cat to produce sulphur hydrate under engine load conditions, like driving uphill. it should not be so during regular drive or idling.
all that stuff about BP is bull. GM cars are tailored for Chevron/Texaco. might as well help with faul odor.
hey, when was the last time you checked air filter?

[quote=Z7106silverado]My Truck currently has 68,500 miles and no warranty.. not leaking any coolant or smelling any... and i will try to get to the chevy place today, nearest one is about an hour away.. maybe i can call them or something.. thank you all for the input.. any more is greatly apprechiated!!!


Joshua

I read your edited reply...so with that I once again suggest that the fuel pressure be measured...

since this vehicle has 68,000mi most likely the previous owner never replaced the fuel filter... I replace my filters every 30,000mi...

with hack saw cut open the old filter and examine the filter media...if you can't see light threw the pleats its probably restricting the fuel pump from suppling the correct volume of fuel...

also never run gas level below 1/4 tank as this will damage the fuel pump[over heats it]....

this is where I would start...

yeah someone else said not to run it low, I really run with the gas light on at ALL times I will definately consider keeping it higher than 1/4.. I checked into the fuel filter right off the bat, they say its in the tank and not serviceable also tune up was done recently, had to get some special (?) plugs because of the E-85 compatibility .. so new air filter and new plugs probably a month ago, think she could use some wires?

yeah someone else said not to run it low, I really run with the gas light on at ALL times I will definately consider keeping it higher than 1/4.. I checked into the fuel filter right off the bat, they say its in the tank and not serviceable also tune up was done recently, had to get some special (?) plugs because of the E-85 compatibility .. so new air filter and new plugs probably a month ago, think she could use some wires?

OH NO! you drive around on empty and you got the fuel pump gas filter in the tank combo !

Well be prepared to spend some cash.....if not now, in the very soon future...

GM cars are tailored for Chevron/Texaco.


Not wanting to change the thread or anything, but is there any truth in this?

Before you get too far into this, you might still have some warranty left on your truck for emissions. You might check with the dealer on that. The odor from the converter is probably because it is running rich but something is causing it and if it's not fixed it will damage the catalytic converter which would not be covered by the emission warranty or worse, you'll have to get it replaced.
And your major hesitation most likely is from the knock sensor. If it is bad or reading faulty the PCM will pull timing to protect against knock.

Brian

Not wanting to change the thread or anything, but is there any truth in this?


these vehicles where designed to work with all gasoline produced by the fuel suppliers in the USA. federal regulations control all of this....

so exactly how do i get my fuel pressure measured ?
and when i asked the dealer about the warranty they say that it expired at 40,000 but a mechanic around here said that the emission warranty is like 80,000 so im lookin in to that now! thanks for all the help...


Joshua

so exactly how do i get my fuel pressure measured ?
and when i asked the dealer about the warranty they say that it expired at 40,000 but a mechanic around here said that the emission warranty is like 80,000 so im lookin in to that now! thanks for all the help...


Joshua


you need a repair manual for your vehicle.. this will explain where to test and what pressures it should read....I don't recommend anyone to repair their vehicle unless they have some guide...especially inexperienced vehicle owners be safe get the proper instuctions then come back with questions if any...

ok, I am a little confused actually.. my step dad is an ASE certified mechanic and has numerous GM certifications .. but my mother has left him about 5 months ago, he has always been my go to guy for vehicle repairs.. but now im all on my own and i trust none of the shops around here.. including the dealer.. If I am understanding you correctly .. I need to purchase a Haynes repair manual, as it will direct me to beable to test fuel pressure? If thats what I need to get then well.. Im on my way!!! lol


Also.. Im sure that the manual will show me the right way to get to and remove the knock sensor, I was reading some previous post and if im not mistake, it could be possible to just clean the contacts on the sensor and check for bad connections, other wise maybe I should just replace the sensor, depending on how hard it is to get to.

Yes, something like a Haynes or Chilton will help with a lot of basic stuff, I think Haynes is better. The factory service manuals would be best but they can be pricey and they're not really written for the do it yourselfer. Another option is you can go to alldatadiy.com and get a subscription that will give you access to the factory service guide online with the ability to print stuff as well as all the TSB's for your vehicle.

Brian

P.S. You will also need some of the tools/scanner/gauges to do a good job.

Also.. Im sure that the manual will show me the right way to get to and remove the knock sensor, I was reading some previous post and if im not mistake, it could be possible to just clean the contacts on the sensor and check for bad connections, other wise maybe I should just replace the sensor, depending on how hard it is to get to.[/quote]

On the knock sensors....I find it hard to believe that these are bad/corroded...vehicle is not that old... these sensors are under the intake manifold so this means removal.....the possibility of a defective gasket on the intake manifold could cause the knock sensors to be corroded..hopefully this is not your problem...I think the empty fuel tank is what created your issues with all this..




remember do not mix dexcool with other coolants as this will damage your engines coolant system.....must have GM spec. number on it,, if not then it is not to be used...