Still Making Odd Noise When Foot Into It

[earlbrown]

I wouldn't replace the connector unless you're planning to solder and heatshrink the new one in place.

 

[Heskahoka]

In case you did not know, 14 ft-lbs of torque for the knock sensor. No more, no less.

http://www.turbobuicks.com/resources/TurboBuicks.com_Torque_Spec.pdf

 

[DaveyX87]

Replaced the knock sensor today. But I havent drove it because I ended up taking out the intercooler for cleaning and throttle body off the car. The plenum is nasty inside. This might explain the rough idle. There was a little bit of oil up in the vacuum block as well. Probably a bad PCV. When I drove the car earlier, before taking it apart, I was getting around 12 lbs of boost according to my new guage. I still heard what sounded like a subtle knocking or pinging. I don't know. Might be bad gas. I replaced the O2 sensor and fixed any vacuum issues. Who knows. Maybe cleaning out the gunk and new gas will get me back in shape.

 

[earlbrown]

Might want to replace every vac line under the hood too... ESP the three that run from the turbo to the wastegate.

If you touch a hose and your finger turns black, it should have been replaced 10 years ago.

Give the check valves a blow test too.

 

[DaveyX87]

Might want to replace every vac line under the hood too... ESP the three that run from the turbo to the wastegate.

If you touch a hose and your finger turns black, it should have been replaced 10 years ago.

Give the check valves a blow test too.

I have almost replaced every vac line. Some almost fell apart in my hands. I havn't replaced the check valves yet. I seen some at Kragen that look the same. They were way cheeper than the GN vendors. I might try them out. I was surprised how much gunk was in the plenum and in the EGR port in the intake. I am determined to get to the bottom of this! If my wallet could only keep up!

 

[earlbrown]

the intake can get gunked up 4 different ways. Leaky turbo, lack of a valley pan gasket, factory PS valve cover breather tube, and EGR tower.


Get it good and clean, then drive it a while. A second look might give a clue.

 

[GNRick]

Blm on scan master will tell you if there is a vacuum leak. S/b 128 +/- 10 at idle.

 

[DaveyX87]

Blm on scan master will tell you if there is a vacuum leak. S/b 128 +/- 10 at idle.

Last time I checked it at idle it was at 142. Is that an indication of a leak or would the number be lower to indicate a leak?

 

[GNRick]

Anything over 138 would indicate a leak.

 

[626gn]

http://www.vortexbuicks-etc.com/Scantool_Readings.htm

 

[Pronto]

Taking bets on egr valve.

 

[Chuck Leeper]

What do the plugs look like?

 

[DaveyX87]

Ok, replaced the EGR valve and that wasn't it. I used a new gasket and high temp adhesive. I made sure it was sealed and aligned properly. I tried another Denso O2 sensor. I tried replacing the IAC motor. I traced every vacuum line once again. I added a new coil pack, wires, and plugs not too long ago. Yesterday, I made a pressurized vacuum tester from Home Depot plumbing parts. I hooked it to the turbo inlet and turned it gradually up to 10 psi. I noticed a small leak around the vacuum block under pressure; a very small leak. I fixed it. The idle is still rough with no vacuum leaks. It's running rich. I need to pull the plugs to see how they look. The BLMs keep going to 142 at idle as if it was some preset number, even after I make adjustments and drive it around. The ECU keeps trying to compensate for whatever the problem is by adding more fuel at idle. I don't know. The oil is starting to smell like gas from running so rich and I've barely driven the car. The voltage is good (13.7). Fuel pressure is normal for stock (31-32 psi vac line on, 39-40 off). One thing I noticed when I had the plenum off was it was filthy with carbon and greasy gunk. The intake runners were also pretty nasty. I hope it's not a head gasket leaking on the intake side. Possibly it's a computer/chip issue? This car has seen very little miles or abuse. I don't know whats up with it. I'm having recurring dreams about pulling the motor and opening my wallet.

 

[Chuck Leeper]

Exh header cracked at the 3-5 area? Also, look at the accordion on the pass side header. They crack in the root.
A bad PCV valve will put blowby back into the intake, under boost.
Does the intake gasket have the valley cover built into it?
IC clean?

Smoke test the exh. I use a wet rag wad wired over the tail pipe and give her a shot of Seafoam. Watch and see where the leaks form.
Mismatch between the injs and the chip? Inj leaks?
Leak down and compression test?

 

[DaveyX87]

A bad PCV valve will put blowby back into the intake, under boost.
Does the intake gasket have the valley cover built into it?
IC clean?

Smoke test the exh. I use a wet rag wad wired over the tail pipe and give her a shot of Seafoam. Watch and see where the leaks form.
Mismatch between the injs and the chip? Inj leaks?
Leak down and compression test?[/QUOTE]

I cleaned out the intercooler, throttle body, and doghouse. I replaced PCV valve, hose, and grommet when I went through the vacuum lines (although I don't trust the stock replacement PCV). I'm not sure if theres a valley pan (I assume so now that I think about it). I will try to do a compression test when I check the plugs. Can you explain the wet rag exhaust leak test? How does it work exactly?

 

[Chuck Leeper]

The rag

A bad PCV valve will put blowby back into the intake, under boost.
Does the intake gasket have the valley cover built into it?
IC clean?

Smoke test the exh. I use a wet rag wad wired over the tail pipe and give her a shot of Seafoam. Watch and see where the leaks form.
Mismatch between the injs and the chip? Inj leaks?
Leak down and compression test?

I cleaned out the intercooler, throttle body, and doghouse. I replaced PCV valve, hose, and grommet when I went through the vacuum lines (although I don't trust the stock replacement PCV). I'm not sure if theres a valley pan (I assume so now that I think about it). I will try to do a compression test when I check the plugs. Can you explain the wet rag exhaust leak test? How does it work exactly?[/QUOTE]
blocks exh flow, causing back psi in the system. When smoke is made w/ the Seafoam, it leaks out of the leaky joints.
U can look in the pcv hole and see if there's a valley pan.

 

[DaveyX87]

Do I spray the Seafoam into a vacuum line while it's running?

 

[Chuck Leeper]

Do I spray the Seafoam into a vacuum line while it's running?

That'll work!

 

[DaveyX87]

I bought a can of Seafoam but I ended up going a different route. I used the shop vac on blower mode taped to one tail pipe and a rag over the other. I listened around under the hood and sprayed water/dish soap. I got bubbles where the turbo is bolted to the passenger side manifold. This makes sense because it is 2 inches from the o2 sensor. This is gotta be why the car has been running bad. I plan to replace the gasket ASAP. Hopefully this will fix it!

 

[DaveyX87]

I found more leaks in the usual places. Driver's side exhaust manifold is cracked at the flange. The passenger side flange is leaking as well. Anyone recommend a specific replacement set of headers?