The Camaro Club (UK)

Hey all,

Would appreciate some advice on this problem.
On my way home, stopped off at the chippy, started up and about 5 seconds later I heard a really loud bang (backfire??), then an immediate loss of power, seems to shudder a little (runs rough) when trying to accelerate!
Ran a PC diagnostic, but no trouble codes at all showing up!

Its a 1998 V6 4 speed auto Camaro.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Edit: Its got 35000 miles on the clock.


Regards

DS

oh no

ok, so does the car sound funny at all now, more noise from the top end for example?
does it do the vibrating all the time when driving?
Is it easy enough for you to check the spark plugs and leads to see if they are all ok and one hasn't blown out?

_________________
'99 Z28 A4, 253 LS2 heads, 228R TSP cam, Patriol Dual Springs, Double roller timing chain, LS6 ported oil pump, OBX LTs, 3" True Duals, LS6 intake, 42lb/hr injectors, SLP lid + bellow, EFIlive COS 3 Speed Denisty Tune (self tuned), 3200 Circle D stall, CAI mod, KYB AGXs, Eibach Pro Front Springs, UMI panhard, LCA + Brackets, Strut Brace, Custom Subframe connectors, WS6 axle with 3.42s, 18" American Racing Rebels, US mirrors, 93 tail lights, 3.5 inch custom cowl hood. Mickey T's Street DRs on Vette-ZR1 wheels for the strip !
Best ET: 12.0 @ 116 mph (on a 0-60ft of 1.8 s)

Hey MaudyZ28,

Thanx for the reply :-)

Took it out for a short run today to check for noises etc.
Starts fine, engine sounds OK, seems to run OK when accelerating slowly, but when you try to accelerate fast you get that 'rough shuddering', not sure if that is the right word! Almost like its struggling to accelerate hard. There was also the occasional backfire.
As far as I know it still has the original spark plugs and leads, had a look but they are in a really awkward spot to look at, I managed to get off the first 3 leads and looked OK, but couldn't get the last 3 off due to their stupid placement, don't know how the garage guys manage!!
Does it sound like a spark plug / leads problem?
Should I try changing them out, or try changing the leads first? Which is more likely to be at fault?
I'll need to take it to a garage tho, as its beyond me. Are they able to test the plugs and leads?

The diagnostic software I use is PCMScan, I have some recorded data from my last run, would that be any help?

Regards

DS

haha, the V6 are tight too, the V8 is a nightmare for plugs on the passanger bank.

it could be a number of things , but i dont want you to go buying parts and paying for them changing for it to be the same.

1) check plug condition, just remove and look at. At 35000 they should be fine still but new ones wouldn't hurt. In the past I have known garages not do the work because it is hard. (previous owner of my car got 8 plugs and paid garage to do, when i changed then myself I found only the 4 easy ones where changed out, not good and they were different plugs too) so make sure the job is done if you pay for it

2) check for spark, pull leads of all plugs and take one plug out at a time, have someone crank the engine while the plug end is held on the block of the engine, watch for the spark. Make sure its earthed, other wise you get a very nasty shock, if you can just balance it on engine and crank it, so your not touching anything

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgxqpLcSR6g

3) check leads, try this

http://www.ehow.com/video_4987082_check ... parks.html

4) could be cam position sensor (but i dont think it is) as whole car would run really crappy, if sounds like your down on one cylinder to me.

Chekc the plugs if you can and se how you get on

good luck

_________________
'99 Z28 A4, 253 LS2 heads, 228R TSP cam, Patriol Dual Springs, Double roller timing chain, LS6 ported oil pump, OBX LTs, 3" True Duals, LS6 intake, 42lb/hr injectors, SLP lid + bellow, EFIlive COS 3 Speed Denisty Tune (self tuned), 3200 Circle D stall, CAI mod, KYB AGXs, Eibach Pro Front Springs, UMI panhard, LCA + Brackets, Strut Brace, Custom Subframe connectors, WS6 axle with 3.42s, 18" American Racing Rebels, US mirrors, 93 tail lights, 3.5 inch custom cowl hood. Mickey T's Street DRs on Vette-ZR1 wheels for the strip !
Best ET: 12.0 @ 116 mph (on a 0-60ft of 1.8 s)

Hi Maudyz28,

Thanx for the advice, but as I don't have the tools or knowledge for this I'll let my local garage do it.
I'll get them to change out the plugs and hope that clears the problem!
Do you reckon it would be worthwhile changing out the plug leads as well, just in case?

Regards

DS

Your local garage should test the plugs and leads, if it's just a dropped cylinder, then they will soon find it If it is a plug or lead, I would be inclined to replace both (and all of them) for peace of mind.

Cheers,
Mark

_________________
'68 Camaro

Yeah, if you want to get then done, basically ask them what they think it is, but mark sure they dont take you for a ride and give you some stupid explination. Like Mark said, they'd easily be able to tell if it down on a cylinder and would be able to do the plugs and leads

_________________
'99 Z28 A4, 253 LS2 heads, 228R TSP cam, Patriol Dual Springs, Double roller timing chain, LS6 ported oil pump, OBX LTs, 3" True Duals, LS6 intake, 42lb/hr injectors, SLP lid + bellow, EFIlive COS 3 Speed Denisty Tune (self tuned), 3200 Circle D stall, CAI mod, KYB AGXs, Eibach Pro Front Springs, UMI panhard, LCA + Brackets, Strut Brace, Custom Subframe connectors, WS6 axle with 3.42s, 18" American Racing Rebels, US mirrors, 93 tail lights, 3.5 inch custom cowl hood. Mickey T's Street DRs on Vette-ZR1 wheels for the strip !
Best ET: 12.0 @ 116 mph (on a 0-60ft of 1.8 s)

Cheers guys.

I've got it booked in for next Tuesday, so I'll let you know what they say, fingers crossed its just a plug or something cheap to repair!!

Regards

DS

Hey guys, Ok where do I start???

Car came back from the garage yesterday, they had no idea what was the problem!!!
They don’t have the expensive specialised kit that is required apparently!!

I now have two choices, take it to a specialist electrical garage at £80 per hour, with no guarantee that they will find the problem, or, replace the spark plugs, leads and ignition coils.
At approx. £210.00 all in for the lot, it may be better to just replace the lot with new stuff.
What do ya reckon??

Regards

DS

Hi DS
Where abouts are you.

Might be able to help. I have a snapon scanner and other diagnostic tools.

cheers
John