C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

94 Engine problem

Old Jul 17, 2006 | 06:02 PM
  #1  
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Default 94 Engine problem

I posted before, but I'm starting a fresh thread...

I pinned #4 & #12, and I got no codes, so everything seems to be OK in the ECM.

Engine feels like it's missing. If a certain cylinder is misfiring, should that throw a code?

Heavy vibration still coming from engine compartment, feels sluggish, lower exhaust note, engine noise seems to be coming from under passenger side valve covers, less noise from driver side, and gas mileage is pretty horrific. Car bucks a bit from a dead stop putting it into first or reverse (have to give it quite a bit of gas to not stall it).

One more week until my mechanic has an opening... any ideas until then? Was thinking I'll pull a plug and see what the condition is. No sparking/arcing at night visible, so I don't think it's wires...
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Old Jul 17, 2006 | 06:09 PM
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With LT-1's the number one problem for missing, hard starting, lack of power is the opti spark. (Cap carbon arced from moisture, etc), and no, it usually won't throw any codes
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Old Jul 17, 2006 | 07:58 PM
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Originally Posted by zr1fred
With LT-1's the number one problem for missing, hard starting, lack of power is the opti spark. (Cap carbon arced from moisture, etc), and no, it usually won't throw any codes
...and also have your catalytics checked out. Could be your passenger cat is clogged causing excessive backpressure to that bank....

just a thought...
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Old Jul 17, 2006 | 08:01 PM
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Default Missing and vibration

Sounds like a burnt plug wire. Take a close look while cool and during the day with good light. Make sure no wires are 'glued' to the exhaust, etc. and look for toasted spots. Then take another look in the dark (unplug the hood lamps) and look for sparks from the wires to 'ground' (any part of the engine). There shouldn't be any lightening under the hood.
The EGR valve can cause missing and will change the exaust note very noticably. Diagnose it by making sure it moves with vacuum and goes fully closed at idle, especially when cold.
Hope you find it.

Last edited by IRAraid; Jul 17, 2006 at 08:04 PM.
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Old Jul 18, 2006 | 07:39 AM
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Although opti is always a consideration, it does not strike me in this case as the problem. I like the cat theory and checking the EGR might be a good thing to check anyway. I would just check the fuel pressure just to make sure the simple things are OK. The O2 sensors come to mind but I would think if it was that defective it would throw a code. One bad plug wire I would not think would make the engine run as bad as you indicated. Good Luck.
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Old Jul 21, 2006 | 05:03 PM
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Default You to

I'am currently having the same problem as pr1mu5 My car is acting the same way, tell me did your car just do it all at once. It was running good the night before and I had just charged my a/c. Please let me know if your machanic/you finds the problem. I'll keep you posted on mine and let you know what my machanic says
Thanks
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Old Jul 21, 2006 | 06:28 PM
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My '94 has went through several sets of O2 sensors since I have owned it and only one time did it throw a code for it. It may be worth looking into. I read on another post that you should only go back with Delco's as the Bosch's tend to go out sooner.
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Old Jul 21, 2006 | 07:05 PM
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If you have a plug or wire defective, it won't throw a code. It almost sounds as if it is in 'limp home' mode. But this should be obvious in such ways as excessive oil temperature and/or pressure, coolant temperatures, etc. Do you know that all of the vitals are good? The noise you mentioned concerns me too, details?
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Old Jul 21, 2006 | 07:12 PM
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The coolant spiked once to 216, but hasn't done it since. Other than that, just the heavy vibration and noise.

The noise is odd, hard to explain, but it sounds clear on the passenger side of the motor, not on the driver side. Kinda like a 'whoomp whoomp whoomp' noise, it might even be the exhaust... I know I inherited a problem with the exhaust, someone tried to jack up the car using the exhaust, so the pipe has a 'flat' spot on it (pre cat, I believe)...

My mechanic will be taking a look at it on the 31st, I'll keep you all posted.
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Old Jul 21, 2006 | 07:29 PM
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Originally Posted by pr1mu5
The coolant spiked once to 216, but hasn't done it since. Other than that, just the heavy vibration and noise.

The noise is odd, hard to explain, but it sounds clear on the passenger side of the motor, not on the driver side. Kinda like a 'whoomp whoomp whoomp' noise, it might even be the exhaust... I know I inherited a problem with the exhaust, someone tried to jack up the car using the exhaust, so the pipe has a 'flat' spot on it (pre cat, I believe)...

My mechanic will be taking a look at it on the 31st, I'll keep you all posted.
216 is not a problem and well within the safe range. How about oil temps and pressures under all conditions?
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Old Jul 22, 2006 | 08:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Corvette Kid
216 is not a problem and well within the safe range. How about oil temps and pressures under all conditions?
all normal... I guess I will just wait for mechanic... I can fix my car, but I suck at diagnosing... I could probably spend $500 replacing O2 sensors, wires, plugs, etc, and still not find the issue. I'll leave it to the pros... I'll let you know what it turns out to be...
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Old Jul 22, 2006 | 09:19 AM
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Well while you're waiting to have your tech look at it, and since you think there's a noise coming from under the RH valve cover, you might as well pull it off and have a look. It's the 'easy' one on an LT1. If nothing's askew, pull your plugs and look at them, they could very well provide a clue, too.
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Old Jul 24, 2006 | 08:09 AM
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Default Found it

The 95bluebomber and i broke my engine down on saturday and found the problem. It had droped a valve and the piston hit. So if i were you I would leave it untouched untill a machanic could take a look at it. Good luck
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Old Jul 24, 2006 | 11:20 AM
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I'd yank that valve cover before running that engine again. I'm guessing broken valve spring, bent pushrod, or dropped valve. But let's hope it's nothing too serious.

Be well,

SJW
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Old Jul 24, 2006 | 11:58 AM
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Originally Posted by pr1mu5
The coolant spiked once to 216, but hasn't done it since. Other than that, just the heavy vibration and noise.

The noise is odd, hard to explain, but it sounds clear on the passenger side of the motor, not on the driver side. Kinda like a 'whoomp whoomp whoomp' noise, it might even be the exhaust... I know I inherited a problem with the exhaust, someone tried to jack up the car using the exhaust, so the pipe has a 'flat' spot on it (pre cat, I believe)...

My mechanic will be taking a look at it on the 31st, I'll keep you all posted.
We have the same problem. I know that sound your talking about. I had a lot of vibration and installed a new harmonic balancer and EGR Valve. It now drives a lot better UNTIL the engine is warmed up. Then I can hear some strange noise. It goes Womp, ...Womp,...Womp,.
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Old Jul 28, 2006 | 09:01 AM
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I dropped my engine off at a machine shop yesterday(on my b-day) and I'm looking at a bill between 800 and 1200. I'll find out more about the price next week when he breakes into it. I have asked several people how this could have happend? I don't understand since the engine had just been modified about 6 months ago. I guess, unlucky me!!
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Old Jul 28, 2006 | 09:09 AM
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If it wasn't for 95bluebomber my bill would be a whole lot higher. So thanks cuz for your help on this
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Old Jul 31, 2006 | 07:50 PM
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Plugs and wires. Dur.

One of the wires was almost completely burnt through (I guess it was on/near exhaust?) and the plugs were heavily 'used'.

I'll let you know if that's it, or if there's more, tomorrow. (Gotta do this first, and then see if the problem goes away).
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Old Aug 2, 2006 | 08:14 AM
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Good deal
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