This Is Crap...argh.

[jbilyeu]

So, as some of you may have read, earlier today my former mechanic friend and I worked on my car and did my lower intake leak, along with replacing the spark plugs and wires. Now my car runs like crap and I am scared to drive it.

This is what it is doing, it is running rough, my check engine light is flashing, it seems as if my engine is burning, and I want to crucify the designer of the Alero right now. We did everything to spec, as he used to be a mechanic for three years and we were very careful. I mean, my God, what is going on with my car? I am starting to suspect we might have packed a little too much grease in the wires or might have mixed up our wires, but what do you guys think?

Jon

[bigd6983]

could be a possibility......double check them....

[Oldsman]

i would check you sensors and for vacuum leaks. being that the light is flashing means it is a big problem. if you can't find anything, take it to an autozone and have then run the scan tool on it to tell what code it is throwing.

[1WhiteOSV]

I'd say it's pry ur plug wires are messed up....or ur plugs aren't gapped correctly. A flashing SES light is bad so IDK if it'd be something as simple as that...I'd personally have it towed to a dealership, I wouldn't drive it if it is flashing.

[jbilyeu]

My thing is that if my wires are messed up, it would make my engine fire wrong, so I would assume then my light would blink like mad. I don't know, I just can't wait to get this thing paid off in about 18 months and send it on its way.

Jon

[Redog]

Maybe the wires aren't on enough.

Does it cut out while cruising, if so, misfiring

[brsexton]

Flashing means a severe misfire.

[sound_xtreme]

ya, im sure you got the wires mixed up, not very hard to do.

[Nik1128]

Thats why whenever you unplug spark plug wires, unplug one, do what you need to do, plug it back in and then goto the next one.

[Baracuda96]

I also found out on the weekend that I too have a lower intake leak (a very slow one at that)...but nonetheless, i've gotta do it. I'm going to have it done by a mechanic I know at a dealership. I'm keepin an eye on the coolant right now but I'm not sure why almost all the 3400s are going through this really expensive fix - especially comin out of warranty by 8000kms.

sheesh.... i hope I dont' have the probs you're seeming to have after gettin it done.

[jbilyeu]

well, me and my friend also did this on no sleep, and away my car goes to dealership tommorrow morning, hey at least I know the leak is fixed. :lol:

[FrankNY]

Originally posted by Baracuda96@Jan 27 2005, 02:54 PM
I also found out on the weekend that I too have a lower intake leak (a very slow one at that)...but nonetheless, i've gotta do it. I'm going to have it done by a mechanic I know at a dealership. I'm keepin an eye on the coolant right now but I'm not sure why almost all the 3400s are going through this really expensive fix - especially comin out of warranty by 8000kms.

sheesh.... i hope I dont' have the probs you're seeming to have after gettin it done.
DEXCOOL :pissed:

[Baracuda96]

^^^ I do know that silly... it's red, not green....

[jbilyeu]

Well, a little update. My EGR valve is toast, no electrical current will go through it, plus the bolt is cross threaded, and the rocker arm for the 4th cylinder wasn't tightened down. Grand total will be about 300-400 dollars when it is done Monday, they had to order the EGR valve and they don't work on Saturdays. Overall, I am relieved, I had prepared myself for the worse, like, hey it would be easier just to replace your engine. I just want to get my car back and drive it, it will have been almost a week by then. On the bright side, the mechanic said we did a textbook job as far as the gasket went, he chalked up that rocker arm mistake to our lack of sleep.

Jon

[AGT]

Originally posted by jbilyeu@Jan 29 2005, 01:42 AM
Well, a little update. My EGR valve is toast, no electrical current will go through it, plus the bolt is cross threaded, and the rocker arm for the 4th cylinder wasn't tightened down. Grand total will be about 300-400 dollars when it is done Monday, they had to order the EGR valve and they don't work on Saturdays. Overall, I am relieved, I had prepared myself for the worse, like, hey it would be easier just to replace your engine. I just want to get my car back and drive it, it will have been almost a week by then. On the bright side, the mechanic said we did a textbook job as far as the gasket went, he chalked up that rocker arm mistake to our lack of sleep.

Jon
Well at least it didn't hit ya in the 1000's mark. Sorry to hear about that but thank you for posting so we all might know what could become of our engines. :thumbsup: