Service slants

Motor, Oct 2003 by Savasta, Bob

GM Truck

Waterlogged jack compartment. An owner of a 2001-03 Chevy Venture, Olds Silhouette or Pontiac Montana may come into your shop complaining that his jack compartment is flooded with water. According to GM, the most likely cause for the influx of unwanted H2O is an improperly seated power sliding door grommet. Reseating the grommet is the obvious and quick fix. Here's how to go about it:

Open the liftgate to gain access to the right rear seat belt cover, then remove the cover by firmly pushing it down until its top tab releases. Using a common 12-inch socket extension, place the male end of the tool into the small access hole in the jack compartment (see illustration) and work it onto the grommet. Next, rest the extension on the top right ridge of the plastic housing; this will give you a good angle of attack. Now strike the female end of the extension several times with a hammer until the grommet is firmly seated back into the hole in the door. To complete the fix, spray the door with a garden hose to check for leaks, then reinstall the seat belt cover.

Ford

MIL on, DTCs stored, multiple driveability complaints. Some 2000-01 Focus models with the 2.0L SPI engine (VIN P) may illuminate their MIL and store misfire codes P0300 through P0304 in computer memory. In addition, the owner may complain of a rough idle or stall, or lack of power. Ford says all of these symptoms could be due to excess carbon buildup in the exhaust valve guides, which causes the valves to intermittently stick during normal operation. Its this intermittent effect that causes the misfire code(s) to set.

Fortunately, Ford has a remedy for the problem in the form of a new cylinder head/cam assembly (Part No. YS4Z-6049-DB). The upgraded head has new-design exhaust guides that are tighter and better sealed, thus less prone to carbon accumulation.

Of course, a new cylinder head doesn't come cheap, so make sure your diagnosis is on the money. To check things out, hook up your scanner to the DLC and perform a power balance test to see whether the misfire is occurring constantly or intermittently. If you can't duplicate the hiccup, simply induce it by putting the gearshift lever into Park or Neutral, raising engine speed to 2800 rpm and holding it there for about a minute, then abruptly releasing the throttle. If you've nailed the misfire, look at the scan tool display to see whether it's occurring all the time or sporadically.

If it's constant, chances are you're not dealing with a guide issue, and installing the new cylinder head won't do much good. Check for other problems, such as arcing ignition wires, fouled plugs or injectors, bad injector drivers, etc. If the misfire is intermittent, order up the new head with confidence.

Chrysler

Engine noise. Some 1995-97 Avengers and Sebrings with the 2.5L V6 could give off a popping, knocking or chattering noise that emanates from the engine bay. The most likely cause, says Chrysler, is an out-of-calibration EGR valve.

To effect an accurate diagnosis, start the engine, let it warm to operating temperature, then take to the open road and drive the vehicle at an engine speed between 1600 and 1800 rpm for several miles. If the noise becomes obvious, stop the car, disconnect and plug the hose to the valve, then get on the road once again. If the noise is now gone, ordering an updated EGR valve (Part No. 050101162AA) and gasket (Part No. 04300297) should eliminate the problem for good.

Note: On early 1995 Avenger and Sebring models, check the part number stamped on the original EGR valve. If it's 04287791, a support bracket (Part No. MD323103) will be required to properly mount the new valve.

Toyota

Rattling noise. Some 2000 Camry models can give off an annoying rattle when they're moving. The noise occurs most prominently above 50 mph, and is caused by the catalytic converter's heat shield making contact with the body as air rushes underneath the vehicle. Toyota cautions that because of the location of the shield, the noise often seems to emanate from the dash or center console area, complicating diagnosis.

Fortunately, a new, beefier heat shield with better insulating qualities is now available. The part number for the revised shield is the same as the old. For your information, the new heat shield found its way into production at the following assembly plants and VIN breakpoints:

2AZ-FE Engine:

Tsutsumi plant, VIN JTDBE3#K#20050060

TMMK Line 1, VIN 4T1BE3#K#3U117973

TMMK Line 2, VIN 4T1BE3#K#3U641338

IMZ-FE Engine:

Tsutsumi plant, VIN JTDBF3#K#20027645

TMMK Line 1, VIN 4T1BF3#K#3U035606

TMMK Line 2, VIN 4T1BF3#K#3U542048

Cadillac

Blower noise. Many 2003 DeVilles and Sevilles built prior to VIN breakpoint 3U156832 can give off an annoying humming noise with the heater controls on High and the blower speed set to Medium or High. According to Cadillac, the likely cause is a restriction in the incoming airflow due to the positioning of the blower motor. Repositioning the motor in the HVAC case is the simple fix. Here's how to do it: