2002 Engine-Misfire-Head Gasket-Other? Issue
#1
2002 Engine-Misfire-Head Gasket-Other? Issue
Yeah - title is a bit goofy - here is the deal - with a bit of a back story:
1) 2002 MC - been limping along w/ a radiator leak - used 'quality' leak stop - due to finances - been doing pretty well - 2 day RT to Michigan from Maryland-NP
2) Drove to NYC this past Thursday - car started over heating a bit. Stuck in traffic for 2 hours - had to turn heater on full blast to keep temp down - - - off and on - back and forth heat-cool-heat-cool
3) Got distracted w/ traffic for a bit - temp went into red zone (flashing light & bell) - cranked up heat - brought temp down in ~ one minute
4) No real issues the rest of the trip - except for keeping the coolant level up and running the heat from time to time while in the city - pretty much normal after I got out of the city
5) No issues in travel on saturday or sunday except I noticed a little roughness just in the last 20 miles of travel
6) Then this morning right out of the box - all the sudden really rough. Wasn't sure I could even drive it - check engine light flashing - P0300 random multi-cylinder misfire - a NON-trivial exhaust leak noise and it seemed to be sucking down fuel like crazy. I drove to a meeting but then back home instead of work to try and deal with this issue.
I am going crazy - the leak could be a head gasket - there could possibly be a fuel issue - it could be a number of things or a combination of things - some related to the engine over heat idea and some not related, but the "real issue" seemed to happen so suddenly - I was not expecting it.
So, I wanted to get some experienced non-biased consideration from you heavy hitters out there just so I don't go off getting into more than I need to and proceed rationally. [BTW - ordered new radiator today]
I appreciate any help or advise you can offer.
Thanks!
1) 2002 MC - been limping along w/ a radiator leak - used 'quality' leak stop - due to finances - been doing pretty well - 2 day RT to Michigan from Maryland-NP
2) Drove to NYC this past Thursday - car started over heating a bit. Stuck in traffic for 2 hours - had to turn heater on full blast to keep temp down - - - off and on - back and forth heat-cool-heat-cool
3) Got distracted w/ traffic for a bit - temp went into red zone (flashing light & bell) - cranked up heat - brought temp down in ~ one minute
4) No real issues the rest of the trip - except for keeping the coolant level up and running the heat from time to time while in the city - pretty much normal after I got out of the city
5) No issues in travel on saturday or sunday except I noticed a little roughness just in the last 20 miles of travel
6) Then this morning right out of the box - all the sudden really rough. Wasn't sure I could even drive it - check engine light flashing - P0300 random multi-cylinder misfire - a NON-trivial exhaust leak noise and it seemed to be sucking down fuel like crazy. I drove to a meeting but then back home instead of work to try and deal with this issue.
I am going crazy - the leak could be a head gasket - there could possibly be a fuel issue - it could be a number of things or a combination of things - some related to the engine over heat idea and some not related, but the "real issue" seemed to happen so suddenly - I was not expecting it.
So, I wanted to get some experienced non-biased consideration from you heavy hitters out there just so I don't go off getting into more than I need to and proceed rationally. [BTW - ordered new radiator today]
I appreciate any help or advise you can offer.
Thanks!
#3
Thanks "Black"!
Understood, but had no choice on the stop leak - thankfully it has served fairly well for a couple of months. Have new radiator in hand now waiting for me to install. [3800 - btw]
GOOD NEWS - problem(s) solved. It was one of those rare cases where various near simultaneous symptoms actually are not related.
- found and repaired an exhaust leak - did not fix/help the problem
- found and repaired a broken vacuum line - did not help/fix the problem
- replaced the plugs - found one to be soiled significantly - did not fix the problem
- misguided - but replaced injector associated with soiled plug -(long story)- no help
- checked plug wire for fire - NO FIRE
- checked coil pack for that wire for fire from the offending terminal - NO FIRE
- replaced coil pack with spare - almost new coil pack - PROBLEM SOLVED!!
Total cost (other than lost time and gas) $5 for new exhaust gasket.
[All the rest I had on hand or was provided at no charge!]
Value of personal stress & anxiety relief - Priceless!
Truly a blessing. NOW my biggest issue is that my radio/CD/tape player - complete unit - has stopped working entirely??? I can't even turn it on. :-(
Understood, but had no choice on the stop leak - thankfully it has served fairly well for a couple of months. Have new radiator in hand now waiting for me to install. [3800 - btw]
GOOD NEWS - problem(s) solved. It was one of those rare cases where various near simultaneous symptoms actually are not related.
- found and repaired an exhaust leak - did not fix/help the problem
- found and repaired a broken vacuum line - did not help/fix the problem
- replaced the plugs - found one to be soiled significantly - did not fix the problem
- misguided - but replaced injector associated with soiled plug -(long story)- no help
- checked plug wire for fire - NO FIRE
- checked coil pack for that wire for fire from the offending terminal - NO FIRE
- replaced coil pack with spare - almost new coil pack - PROBLEM SOLVED!!
Total cost (other than lost time and gas) $5 for new exhaust gasket.
[All the rest I had on hand or was provided at no charge!]
Value of personal stress & anxiety relief - Priceless!
Truly a blessing. NOW my biggest issue is that my radio/CD/tape player - complete unit - has stopped working entirely??? I can't even turn it on. :-(
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