Car Runs Like Junk Help Please
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 114
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From: Dublin Ca
Car Runs Like Junk Help Please
I am working on my brothers 1997 c5 A4 it has H/C, LT Headers, ls6 mainfoild and vortex rammer intake tunned and full install at A&A. The car almost dies and idles up and down and smells like it is running rich. The check engine light is on with code 0300. I took a compression test and I have 160 in all cylinders I did a full tune up Plugs TR55, MSD wires, PVC valve, fuel filter and cleaned the air cleaner. Car still runs the same with no change. The battery is good and the altenater is good. I am not sure what to check next. Please Help
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
Likes: 227
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
i would guess you ripped one of the boots on the plug wires or it's not seated correctly, 0300 is a misfire code and the cel is prolly blinking when this occurs, try swapping in a set of the stock plug wires and see what happens
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 114
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From: Dublin Ca
Originally Posted by connecticut
i would guess you ripped one of the boots on the plug wires or it's not seated correctly, 0300 is a misfire code and the cel is prolly blinking when this occurs, try swapping in a set of the stock plug wires and see what happens
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 147
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From: UT
Originally Posted by C5Josh
The car was doing the same thing before the tune up and the new wires. I was thinking the car just needed a good tune up but it did not change anything.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,818
Likes: 4
From: San Bruno ca
Originally Posted by C5Josh
I am working on my brothers 1997 c5 A4 it has H/C, LT Headers, ls6 mainfoild and vortex rammer intake tunned and full install at A&A. The car almost dies and idles up and down and smells like it is running rich. The check engine light is on with code 0300. I took a compression test and I have 160 in all cylinders I did a full tune up Plugs TR55, MSD wires, PVC valve, fuel filter and cleaned the air cleaner. Car still runs the same with no change. The battery is good and the altenater is good. I am not sure what to check next. Please Help
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,058
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From: Roswell New Mexico
St. Jude Donor '07-'08
Check coil packs, and make sure they were plugged in the right order. If they were removed during a tune up or during install, the wires can be flipped around. Other then that, i sounds like you have tried everything else.
Dirty injectors?
Dirty injectors?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
If your secondary ignition is not causing the issue, it could be valve train related. Check the springs, do a compression test. Low compression on one or more cylinders will cause the same mis-fire issues.
If the plugs and wires are in good shape, my bet is a bent valve or weak/broken valve spring.
Bill C
If the plugs and wires are in good shape, my bet is a bent valve or weak/broken valve spring.
Bill C
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 114
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From: Dublin Ca
Help
I have checked everything that every one has suggested. The compression in all 8 cylinders is right at 160. All the plugs are brand new and I checked the gap on all of them and the wires are brand new and I checked them. A broken valve or something would give me low copression and I don't have that so I am not sure what is going on.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Supporting the Corvette Community at Abel Chevrolet in Rio Vista, CA 707-374-6317 Ext.123
St. Jude Donor '08
Call SYNERGY if thet are in your area. Rick is a great guy and will not rip you off. They do a lot of work on these cars and will figure it out. Your tune is probably off. Mine was way off and Rick put a tune on it and it runs AWESOME now
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,846
Likes: 5
From: Sandy Ego CA
Does the car have an oil catch can? mine started running $hity and the pet **** was cracked open, closed her up and every thing was back to normal. You also may want to check the drivers side headers to be sure your not touching wires
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
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From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Originally Posted by C5Josh
hmm the vc's only take that long to pull?
NCM, WSCC &amp;amp; SCC Member
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 358
From: Northville, MI
Find someone with good scanning software and take a 20-30 minute road test. It will tell you what is working and what are the problems. That way you know where to focus you attention. Other wise it is hit or mis till you find out the real culprit.