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While visiting my parents in Aurora, Illinois, I was picked up at the
Midway Airport Chicago, and then noticed the “Service Engine Soon” light on
their well maintained, 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada, which has a 4.3 liter
engine, Central Sequential Fuel Injection (CSFI) and 68,000 miles on the
odometer.
I asked them when the warning light came on, and what problems they were
experiencing. These were their comments:
1) The “Service Engine Soon” light came on a few days prior to my visit, in
the early morning, upon start-up.
2) The vehicle was hard to start, and idles rough after starting.
3) After warming up for three minutes, the idle began to smooth out, but
the “Service Engine Soon” stays on.
4) The vehicle was taken to the local Oldsmobile dealer, and the problem
was diagnosed with a “PO300- Random Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected”
computer code. The dealers stated that the CSFI fuel injector’s “Poppet”
valves were sticking open, and the system required a “Good Cleaning.”
5) The fuel injectors were cleaned thoroughly, and the failure code cleared
from the computer. The dealer charged them over $120.000 for the diagnosis
and repair.
6) Six weeks after this repair, the same problem happened again (i.e.,
misfire, and rough running upon start-up in the morning) and the “Service
Engine Soon” light came on again.
The following day, I took the vehicle back to the same dealer, and was
diagnosed with the same misfire computer code (PO300). The dealer also
stated that the fuel injector system requires another “Good Cleaning.”
Is anyone experiencing this similar CSFI fuel injector problem? Does a
“Good Cleaning” really help this condition?
Winddings
Sell Amercan made car for $1,200.00 and spend your money more wisely next
time... :D
But seriously...dealer should cover the cost of the same repair
again...right?
BavarianWheels
usually dealers put a 90 day warranty on stuff thats inside the engine. But
i'm guessin probably that one of the spark plug wires is either damaged or
faulty. and they probably didn't clean all the grime out of it that
collects over 63,000 Miles. it's doesn't really sound like too big of a
deal.
plus if you take it back to the same dealer as b4 and they want to charge
you again, have it looked at by a few other shops. u might get the same
reason from everyone of the shops but then again it could be a whole
different problem. and smaller shops are usually more honest, and try a bit
harder to find and fix the problem.
ChevySuxD0ng
I'm having the same problem with the plugs being fouled and the engine
running rough. What was the solution, was it electrical or did you have to
replace the injectors? I was told by a mechanic that GM had problems with
the injectors, although, :banghead: I have alot of miles on the engine.
:banghead:
mychevy
I am a ASE certified mechanic (24 Years Military). I have a 96 chevy truck
with csfi injection and was having the same trouble. I was stumped so I
took my truck to the dealer and they told me they could fix the problem for
about $2,000. Me knowing better snuck back into the garage and talked to
the mechanic, he said they (GM) had a lot of problems with the csfi system
and had to totally redesign the fuel injection unit (but not enough for a
recall).
The new unit costs around $400-$500 dollars and I would have to have a new
fuel pump (in the fuel tank) and a new catalitic converter because raw gas
was dripping from my tail pipe. I did get the new pump installed myself,
and it is truely a pain to change and my problems were solved. Since then I
have replaced the fuel pump ($150 dollars) because the fuel pressure is
critical (60-66 psi), if you don't have the pressure the system will give
you even more problems. I haven't replaced the cat converter ($350 plus for
welding)but I probably will have to some time in the near future. I hope
this word gets out, if enough people complain of the problem they will have
to make a recall and the parts that are at fault will be replaced free of
charge by the dealer.
seabeemechanic
I have a 97 GMC Jimmy 4.3l v-6 with the same problems over the last 40k
miles or so. I have cleaned injectors, replaced electrical, tested sensors,
got the same misfire code that tells you nothing, heres what i found. My
fuel pressure from the in- tank pump was dropping from 66psi to nothing
with 20 seconds or so when testing with the key on but not running, while
running it would keep up to 50psi or so, turns out the fuel pressure
regulator on the metering body of the spider CSFI system was leaking gas
through, this extra gas dumping in the manifold was not getting to the
cylinders but the sensors would read the air fuel mixture to be too rich
and adjust for less gas to the injectors, compounding accelerating problem,
the Idle Air Control valve was black and had to be cleaned to allow it to
move again, check for this regulator leaking or anything else leaking gas
into the manifold area, if it is not holding the pressure from the pump. I
also smell a lot of gas on startup, and gas mileage was dropping more and
more as the leaking became worse i assume. Good luck, this was a real
difficult one to pin down.
woodwick
My vehicle is a 97 GMC Jimmy, we had the same symptom and problems that
kept getting worse until i finally figured it out, the FUel Pressure
Regulator was bad, and was leaking gas through it. Replaced it and it runs
like new again! It is mounted on the metering block that all the injector
lines plug into. All the gas being dumped caused the fuel pressure to be
lost when the pump wAS not running, making it tough to start, poor gas
mileage since the fuel that leaked was not burning, sensors reading fuel
mixture wrongly reported that the mix was too rich and adjusted to decrease
fuel to injectors, this caused lack of power and poor overall running. We
also started smelling gas when running and especially when starting it up.
Good luck!
woodwick
Ok ppls your my last hope! I have a 89 Jimmy with a 4.3L in it. the truck
has sat for about 1 year. I have replaced the engine with a 4.3 out of a 92
Jimmy. My problem is when I turn the key, the injectors are dumping fuel
into the intake through the carb, *THE TRUCK DOESNT RUN* this problem didnt
happen in the 92 Jimmy I took the engine out, but it did run a bit rich*.I
have put used injectors in it (without replacin the gaskets yet..I know Im
going to do this tomorrow) as well as I got a different computer ( I
believe its a 8063) and still getting the same thing, I have jumped the 3
wires to the computer and have the same problem. As well I called the
dealer and they said it should "prime" when you turn the key, and it doesnt
do that, but when you put the key to crank, its dumping fuel like crazy! I
have never seen something like this befor...Some people said it might be
the gas is bad or replace the gaskets, I have already spend about $300 on
some used and new parts and figure I would ask online maybe someone has
heard of had the same problem and Im getting really frustrated over this!!
:banghead: SOMEONE PLEASE HELP! :banghead:
tonto815
Yeah, "the injectors are dumping fuel into the intake through the carb".
Read that one at least ten times, log onto www.getafreakingclue.com for
some help in critical thought... And call me in the morning. :banghead:
vwhobo
vwhobo, you have got to be one stupid kid, I Have read all these posts,
twice, and if I had the same problem I wouldnt post the one I Did. Do me a
favor, go home and punch your mom in the face for raising a stupid kid like
you! :thumbs:
tonto815
Ug Tonto, you should have heep big white man, the Lone Ranger read this for
you.
You have elevated the art of being a clueless idiot to new levels. First
off I'm certainly not a kid. As a matter of fact at this point in my life,
my age is probably a few points higher than you IQ as evidenced by...
I gave you two simple directions, IN ORDER, and you were unable to
accomplish them proficiently. Read your post again you e-tard imbecile.
Your own words say the engine has fuel injection which surprisingly,
considering the source, is correct. Then you are sure to let the whole
world know that the injectors are dumping fuel through the carb. Please
explain how you have the only GMC 4.3 liter engine ever built with fuel
injection AND a carburetor. Yeah, that's what I thought.
You are proof positive that humans shouldn't have sex with orangutans or
their next of kin.
vwhobo
I think you should really stick to your VW's and let us big boys try and
figure this one out ... :fu:
tonto815
I think you should really stick to your VW's and let us big boys try and
figure this one out ... :fu: and its a TBI if Im not mistaken! fruityass!
tonto815
Well it's a good thing for everybody here that nobody gives a rat's ass
what you think. You keep answering your own question but are to stupid to
realize it. TBI is an acronym for Throttle Body Injection. You DO NOT have
a carburetor, you have a throttle body. Do you feel stupid enough yet or
do you want to keep going?
BTW, just because VW is part of my screen name, NEVER EVER think that I'm
only experienced with VW's. Also NEVER EVER wonder if I know more about
what you're talking about than you do because I most assuredly do. Of
course any one the kids that sweeps floors at my shops (yes, multiple
plurals) seem to know more than you. Finally "big boy", I'll be happy to
put up my experience and credentials against yours any day of the week.
Then you'll find out you're not even qualified to be a pimple on my ass.
Please do us all a favor and stick to posting what you actually know
about... But then you wouldn't have anything to say, would you? One last
thing. Using the :fu: smilie in the context you have displays ingorance on
your part and decreases your IQ by 25 points per use. You have one use
left before turning into a house plant.
vwhobo
If you were so smart, you would have realized I meant Throttle body, and I
did correct myself as well. For someone in your shoes to belittle someone
for getting frustrated over something like this is beyond me, but never the
less I got my truck running :thumbs: !
Here is what the problem was....As I said befor the injectors would dump
fuel into the throttle body. The other day thinkin about it and reading the
most common problems with the TBI, I decided to chech the fule pressure
regulator. When I pulled it apart, the spring was broken on the one I just
put on there, as well the diaphram on the other one had a small crack in
it.This is the most common problem with the TBI Injection.
tonto815
Oh, you are a genius aren't you. The only wear part on the TBI unit is the
fuel pressure regulator and it only took you two weeks to figure out that's
the problem. I think I should hire you today.
Now let's really play stump the dummy (you). Everyone else in this thread
is dealing with a Vortec 4.3, not a TBI 4.3 so... How excactly is your
wealth of knowledge going to help them? It's not. Do you even know the
difference between the two engine management systems? I bet not. Is
there anything I missed? Probably but I'm sure you'll type some ignorant
response and remind me.
P.S. Are you sure you don't want to compare experience and credentials
with me "big boy"? I notice you conviniently forgot about that. You can
call me Kemosabe.
vwhobo
