Misfiring #3 After LIM swap

[02GT_SkyHigh]

this is an addition to my thread here; Oh, Just came home from USPS... . I'm really stuck with this one.

ok new problems. I stared it up this morning, went to a gas station and got a soda then on the way home, i feel the engine stutter during the last turn to my house.
Im having a miss in number 3. I know that cause I can pull that wire and the car still runs the same as if it was still on. All the others make the car almost die.
I keep on fouling out the plug also. I read this story.....
( Lower LIM change now MISSING?? Any opinions... )
So I went down to our local pick n pull place and i find a 2002 3.4L Malibu, So I get 3 injectors off and clean them all thoroughly, took the better looking one and replaced that injector.
Got it all back together about 5 minutes ago and I'm still having the same problem. No. 3 plug is all wet with FUEL not oil.
Im at a loss here any help.

[Malaclypse]

Check the plug wire boot that shares a coil with #3 to make sure it didn't pop off.

[02GT_SkyHigh]

Originally Posted by Malaclypse

Check the plug wire boot that shares a coil with #3 to make sure it didn't pop off.

I have solidly checked each plug and wire. I have tried swapping the plugs around.
If that one was off why would #3 misfire?

[AleroB888]

Open circuit in the wiring harness @ #3 ignition ? Try to get ohm readings as far upstream in the harness as possible....

[02GT_SkyHigh]

Originally Posted by AleroB888

Open circuit in the wiring harness @ #3 ignition ? Try to get ohm readings as far upstream in the harness as possible....

You believe that it may be in the wiring for that injector?

[AleroB888]

Originally Posted by 02GT_SkyHigh

You believe that it may be in the wiring for that injector?

No, not if the plug is wet with fuel, I was thinking the spark is not being activated, possibly by an open or intermittant circuit...

[02GT_SkyHigh]

Originally Posted by AleroB888

No, not if the plug is wet with fuel, I was thinking the spark is not being activated, possibly by an open or intermittant circuit...

If I pull that wire while the car is on, the idle dosent change and I can clearly see and hear a spark shooting out of the boot.

[[ChaosweaveR]]

I have a feeling it's not ignition or fuel.

Sounds like you possibly floated a valve. Happened to my GA back in may, cylinder #3 for me as well. Common with 60*V6's in their older age.

Have a compression test done on cylinder #3.

[02GT_SkyHigh]

Originally Posted by [ChaosweaveR]

I have a feeling it's not ignition or fuel.

Sounds like you possibly floated a valve. Happened to my GA back in may, cylinder #3 for me as well. Common with 60*V6's in their older age.

Have a compression test done on cylinder #3.

As I search more and more that what it is pointing too.
Could you tell me exactly what a 'floated valve' is, plz?
And yes Im going to try a compression test today when I can.

[[ChaosweaveR]]

One of the valves is stuck shut, no air, no combustion.

I really hope you know someone to help with repairs, that's a +$1000. Luckily, I got a helluva deal from a good friend, was only charged $350.

[02GT_SkyHigh]

Originally Posted by [ChaosweaveR]

One of the valves is stuck shut, no air, no combustion.

I really hope you know someone to help with repairs, that's a +$1000. Luckily, I got a helluva deal from a good friend, was only charged $350.

For a Valve job? or just to switch heads? cause I can go back to the mailbu that i got the injectors off of and go rip the head off the back.

Im about to take the rear valve cover off and check the workings of the rockers and what i can see.

I knew this one shoulda waited...

[[ChaosweaveR]]

To properly do a valve job, the head needs to come off the block.

I'd be leery of slapping on a head from a junk motor. To boot, Malibus had the LG8 motor, the GA has the LA1. I'd find another LA1 head if you're going to rebuild it.

[02GT_SkyHigh]

after Removing the back valve cover one of the rockers was just laying there!!! I tq'd them properly and only did an additonal 20* not 30*! MAN WTF, I'm not the type to pass up some crucial process like TQ'ing the rockers! Ummm now what?

[AleroB888]

Originally Posted by 02GT_SkyHigh

after Removing the back valve cover one of the rockers was just laying there!!! I tq'd them properly and only did an additonal 20* not 30*. Ummm now what?

Were pushrods, etc. marked and re-installed each in their original locations?

[02GT_SkyHigh]

Originally Posted by AleroB888

Were pushrods, etc. marked and re-installed each in their original locations?

Yes they were I used a marked shoe box with holes in it when I took them out. You can also look at the rocker location and tell if its short or long.
I'm #4 to own this car and when I did LIM gaskts the first time, it already had metal frame gaskets in it. I'm thinking that possibly this time when I did the second step of TQ'ing, that the threads had been slightly abused before, cause I know the feel of when I strip a thread and an already striped thread. I got about 10* and the resistance was gone.... Eeeh, Heli-coils are interesting looking..

[cutlsp]

Ouch that really sucks

[02GT_SkyHigh]

DONE! What a PITA! I spent $56 on a 10mm 1.5 thread Helicoil set. It has the special tap, the insertion tool, and about 10 coils. Worked like a charm!
Thanks to all for all your help and feedback! Everyone has to learn and the passing of that knowledge is what makes this forum so great!




CAPTURED THE SHAVINGS JUST LIKE PLANNED


TAPPING IT OUT


TAPPED AND READY FOR THE HELICOIL


INSERTING THE HELICOIL


RIGHT BEFORE I BROKE THE INSERTION TAB OFF

[Malaclypse]

Good job on the heli-coil. Hope you used loctite on the outside of it when you installed it. Red would be preferable.

[02GT_SkyHigh]

Originally Posted by Malaclypse

Good job on the heli-coil. Hope you used loctite on the outside of it when you installed it. Red would be preferable.

Umm, no loctite.
Nothing in the directions said anything about it. This was my first try at any tap, dye, helicoil action. I guess it makes sense now why I SHOULDA. Damn the instructional vids on youtube they dont use any either.
Not going to stress on it.... Done too much of that the past few days...

[Malaclypse]

Originally Posted by 02GT_SkyHigh

Umm, no loctite.
Nothing in the directions said anything about it. This was my first try at any tap, dye, helicoil action. I guess it makes sense now why I SHOULDA. Damn the instructional vids on youtube they dont use any either.
Not going to stress on it.... Done too much of that the past few days...

You'll be fine. The only possible problem is that the heli-coil may back out if you have to remove the rocker arm bolt again. Hell, sometimes they back out even WITH loctite.

You can completely circumvent that problem by buying one of these: http://www.denlorstools.com/home/dt1...d_remover.html . One of the best ways to spend $20, in my opinion.

Makes life so much easier. Hell I did an intake on a 3400 Grand Am in 3 hours today and I was taking my time. That tool helped out alot.