Hope I didn't blow it!

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davkat

HHR Turbo
Last fall I had a new motor & tranny installed in my Sy. It's all broke in and had been running great. Yesterday while on a short trip I ran it harder than I usually do and afterwards when I got into town my motor was running really bad. I pulled over and found that one of the vacuum hoses had popped off so I fixed that but now it feels like I'm only running on 5 cylinders :eyes:

I got it back home okay and put it in the garage but I haven't had the chance to check the plug wires or spark plugs yet. I've been running regular pump gas (87 octane) because of the cost and did get detonation when running it hard. I hope I didn't ruin this new engine :(

Anyone else ever encounter this problem?
 
Syclone#2960

Syclone#2960

What ever it takes!!
Re: Hope I didn't blow it!

LOL You shoud not have run 87 oct. Are you hearing clanking noises or what? I would remove the oil filter and check it for metal junk after you split it open.
Cylinder #6 is a pain to seat the boot correctly, check that for sure.
Or if you are lazy like me...put the 92 oct fuel and check for knock with a scan tool. If you can hear the motor pinging your are probally retarding 8-10 degrees of timing. (not good)
 
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Windedv6

Windedv6

Ty n 10s
Re: Hope I didn't blow it!

It doesn't mean you will hear any extra noises or have anything busted. Check your exhaust for either white smoke and a kind fo sweet smell (head gasket). Check your coolant for bubbles Head gasket. If extra bluish exhaust smoke look then look at your valve breather or open filler cap for excessive oily pressure (cracked piston ring land). If the case you will be down compression in one cylinder. If your oil pressure is still the same you are porbably safe on the bottom end.

John
 
turbodig

turbodig

Active member
Re: Hope I didn't blow it!

davkat said:
Last fall I had a new motor & tranny installed in my Sy. It's all broke in and had been running great. Yesterday while on a short trip I ran it harder than I usually do and afterwards when I got into town my motor was running really bad. I pulled over and found that one of the vacuum hoses had popped off so I fixed that but now it feels like I'm only running on 5 cylinders :eyes:

I got it back home okay and put it in the garage but I haven't had the chance to check the plug wires or spark plugs yet. I've been running regular pump gas (87 octane) because of the cost and did get detonation when running it hard. I hope I didn't ruin this new engine :(

Anyone else ever encounter this problem?
Click to expand...

Burnt plug wire, probably.

Might want to do a compression check.

Never run anything less than 91 unless you've got a good alky system installed.
These things knock even on good pump gas.

Hope you're lucky...
 
TYPHOOL7

TYPHOOL7

Post Hawk
Re: Hope I didn't blow it!

davkat said:
I got it back home okay and put it in the garage but I haven't had the chance to check the plug wires or spark plugs yet. I've been running regular pump gas (87 octane) because of the cost and did get detonation when running it hard. I hope I didn't ruin this new engine :(

Anyone else ever encounter this problem?
Click to expand...
GJ 87 means death to SyTys,
CHECK ur plug wires and get back to us.. sux man; i hope that you saved 4gs by running 87 so u can afford that new engine. Or should i say, i hope it was worth the saving to have cut your nose off despite your face.
i 100% hope u didnt, BUT, sounds to me like you made a bad call...
 
D

davkat

HHR Turbo
Re: Hope I didn't blow it!

I will be checking it out tonight. Whatever happens I certainly won't be using 87octane anymore. Learned my lesson on that one. I did get new plugs today so will check all the spark plug wires and replace any bad plugs. My oil pressure is still very good, no water or anything else detected in the oil (have been using Royal Purple) and the coolant seems okay. IF I am lucky it will only be a bad plug wire or plug. Will post more later as to my findings.
 
TYPHOOL7

TYPHOOL7

Post Hawk
Re: Hope I didn't blow it!

davkat said:
I will be checking it out tonight. Whatever happens I certainly won't be using 87octane anymore. Learned my lesson on that one. I did get new plugs today so will check all the spark plug wires and replace any bad plugs. My oil pressure is still very good, no water or anything else detected in the oil (have been using Royal Purple) and the coolant seems okay. IF I am lucky it will only be a bad plug wire or plug. Will post more later as to my findings.
Click to expand...
GL man, ur trucks been on my mind all day. hopin for the best, no bs!
 
D

davkat

HHR Turbo
Re: Hope I didn't blow it!

I guess I'm not going to be so lucky. Last night I checked all the plug wires and they are okay. I also pulled the plugs and the spark plug on #6 cyl was toast. The negative electrode was broken off. Only a small stub remaining. The center electrode appeared ok but with crud on it as the other plugs.

I replaced all the plugs but it still runs bad, missing on #6 cyl. My guess either a burned valve, cracked head or worse, a messed up piston? Drat!!!!
 
dgoodhue

dgoodhue

BuSTeD 4.3
Re: Hope I didn't blow it!

davkat said:
I guess I'm not going to be so lucky. Last night I checked all the plug wires and they are okay. I also pulled the plugs and the spark plug on #6 cyl was toast. The negative electrode was broken off. Only a small stub remaining. The center electrode appeared ok but with crud on it as the other plugs.

I replaced all the plugs but it still runs bad, missing on #6 cyl. My guess either a burned valve, cracked head or worse, a messed up piston? Drat!!!!
Click to expand...

Open your oil fill with the engine running, if its pushing air out, it will confirm the need to rebuild it.
 
NecroWolf

NecroWolf

lost marbles member
Re: Hope I didn't blow it!

best of luck on this, i've snuck by on 87 on long trips and my boost controller turned all the way down and a lite foot

but if it is sounds like a good time to upgrade. look around theres lots of options from stosk to all out
 
P

pinellas50

New Guy
Re: Hope I didn't blow it!

Dang. I guess I got off easy with a blown head gasket.

I'd see what kind of compression 6 has now.
 
D

davkat

HHR Turbo
Re: Hope I didn't blow it!

Fortunately I work for a GM dealership and my service department is checking it out for me. What I know so far is there is no compression in #6 cyl and the vacuum for the brake assist was very low. The motor will have to be taken apart to determine the exact damage. I should know more in a couple of days. I still have my original engine and may have to salvage some parts of off it. Definitely NO MORE 87 Octane :tdown: EVER again!!!
 
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davkat

HHR Turbo
Re: Hope I didn't blow it!

Still haven't torn down my motor yet to determine the exact damages. In sales training class this week and the service department is backed up. Hopefully will get to it later today or possibly tomorrow. So I'm driving our Corvair for now.
 
D

davkat

HHR Turbo
Re: Hope I didn't blow it!

No, nothing has been done with it yet. All I know for sure is no compression in #6. I'm hoping service can get it torn down this week.
 
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