Check Engine Light is on!
09-26-2007, 10:25 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2004 MB E55 AMG, 2006 Audi A6 4.2, 2008 WRX STI
Check Engine Light is on!
Two weeks ago, i was cruising late at night, and CEL came on outta nowhere.
My car was still running the same way that night (w/ CEL on), but the next day, it felt like my car had lost about 300hp+++ and my CEL started to blink like crazy~
i took it to my guy and he scanned it for me..he told me its misfiring from right side somewhere. But, we cant figure out what the cause is! its driving me nuts!
Its been at that shop for more than a week now..
So, my question is what could be the cause of this CEL?
btw, my guess is
1. spark plugs
2. O2 sensors
3. Secondary cat (damaged? from bottoming out somewhere?)
4. Kleemann Header (Hope its okai! i just replaced it last year..it cracked)
one of these~~~
any help would be appreciated~
My car was still running the same way that night (w/ CEL on), but the next day, it felt like my car had lost about 300hp+++ and my CEL started to blink like crazy~
i took it to my guy and he scanned it for me..he told me its misfiring from right side somewhere. But, we cant figure out what the cause is! its driving me nuts!
Its been at that shop for more than a week now..
So, my question is what could be the cause of this CEL?
btw, my guess is
1. spark plugs
2. O2 sensors
3. Secondary cat (damaged? from bottoming out somewhere?)
4. Kleemann Header (Hope its okai! i just replaced it last year..it cracked)
one of these~~~
any help would be appreciated~
09-26-2007, 10:30 AM
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
Man that sucks, I can't believe your headers craked also...Hmm not good. Well it could be many things but until they don't discover it we can't tell. Hope she is ok and makes it on time for MIR.
09-26-2007, 10:31 AM
#3
MBWorld Fanatic!
Two weeks ago, i was cruising late at night, and CEL came on outta nowhere.
My car was still running the same way that night (w/ CEL on), but the next day, it felt like my car had lost about 300hp+++ and my CEL started to blink like crazy~
i took it to my guy and he scanned it for me..he told me its misfiring from right side somewhere. But, we cant figure out what the cause is! its driving me nuts!
Its been at that shop for more than a week now..
So, my question is what could be the cause of this CEL?
btw, my guess is
1. spark plugs
2. O2 sensors
3. Secondary cat (damaged? from bottoming out somewhere?)
4. Kleemann Header (Hope its okai! i just replaced it last year..it cracked)
one of these~~~
any help would be appreciated~
My car was still running the same way that night (w/ CEL on), but the next day, it felt like my car had lost about 300hp+++ and my CEL started to blink like crazy~
i took it to my guy and he scanned it for me..he told me its misfiring from right side somewhere. But, we cant figure out what the cause is! its driving me nuts!
Its been at that shop for more than a week now..
So, my question is what could be the cause of this CEL?
btw, my guess is
1. spark plugs
2. O2 sensors
3. Secondary cat (damaged? from bottoming out somewhere?)
4. Kleemann Header (Hope its okai! i just replaced it last year..it cracked)
one of these~~~
any help would be appreciated~
Check coil pack and wires for that cylinder.
09-26-2007, 10:31 AM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2004 MB E55 AMG, 2006 Audi A6 4.2, 2008 WRX STI
thanks man~btw, my header cracked last year...had that replaced...hopefully its not cracked again~
09-26-2007, 10:36 AM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2004 MB E55 AMG, 2006 Audi A6 4.2, 2008 WRX STI
09-26-2007, 10:53 AM
#6
Newbie
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Norwalk, CT/Port Chester, NY
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2005 E55 AMG Alabaster/Charcoal/Pano
injectors,coil pack, crank sensor, its crazy how many miles??who is the mechanic?? hopefully not the same guy that left ur wheel nuts loose!!!!
09-26-2007, 12:15 PM
#7
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Arizona
Posts: 3,703
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
3 Posts
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
The easiest thing to do is have your MB dealer do the scan. They will be able to isolate it right away, and then you can figure out what to do.
Trending Topics
09-26-2007, 05:55 PM
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Taipei
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2005 SL55 AMG
Dude, that sucks. I hope you figure things out either with your guy or your dealer. What shop are you taking it to? Broadway? I think going to the dealer may be faster.
I've heard of the kleemann headers cracking, hope mine doesn't! Knock on wood.
Good luck with everything and let us know what happens!
I've heard of the kleemann headers cracking, hope mine doesn't! Knock on wood.
Good luck with everything and let us know what happens!
09-26-2007, 08:01 PM
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2004 MB E55 AMG, 2006 Audi A6 4.2, 2008 WRX STI
my guy is using the same comp..
we'll see how it goes...supposed to get my car back tomorrow~
09-26-2007, 08:02 PM
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2004 MB E55 AMG, 2006 Audi A6 4.2, 2008 WRX STI
Dude, that sucks. I hope you figure things out either with your guy or your dealer. What shop are you taking it to? Broadway? I think going to the dealer may be faster.
I've heard of the kleemann headers cracking, hope mine doesn't! Knock on wood.
Good luck with everything and let us know what happens!
I've heard of the kleemann headers cracking, hope mine doesn't! Knock on wood.
Good luck with everything and let us know what happens!
he has all the tools(i think...)
so, we'll see..
how's ur project goin?
09-26-2007, 08:03 PM
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2004 MB E55 AMG, 2006 Audi A6 4.2, 2008 WRX STI
09-27-2007, 07:47 AM
#13
MBWorld Fanatic!
09-27-2007, 08:48 AM
#14
Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Potomac, MD
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
2007 SL550 - Aegean Blue; 2008 E63 Wagon - Iridium Silver
I'm sorry, but that's like saying that the local optometrist at the mall uses the same tools as the board-certified retina specialist, so their diagnostic abilities are the same. Based on lots of professional experience, I can assure you that diagnostic ability lies between the ears of the user of the tools, not in the tool itself.
09-29-2007, 10:37 PM
#15
Two weeks ago, i was cruising late at night, and CEL came on outta nowhere.
My car was still running the same way that night (w/ CEL on), but the next day, it felt like my car had lost about 300hp+++ and my CEL started to blink like crazy~
i took it to my guy and he scanned it for me..he told me its misfiring from right side somewhere. But, we cant figure out what the cause is! its driving me nuts!
Its been at that shop for more than a week now..
So, my question is what could be the cause of this CEL?
btw, my guess is
1. spark plugs
2. O2 sensors
3. Secondary cat (damaged? from bottoming out somewhere?)
4. Kleemann Header (Hope its okai! i just replaced it last year..it cracked)
one of these~~~
any help would be appreciated~
My car was still running the same way that night (w/ CEL on), but the next day, it felt like my car had lost about 300hp+++ and my CEL started to blink like crazy~
i took it to my guy and he scanned it for me..he told me its misfiring from right side somewhere. But, we cant figure out what the cause is! its driving me nuts!
Its been at that shop for more than a week now..
So, my question is what could be the cause of this CEL?
btw, my guess is
1. spark plugs
2. O2 sensors
3. Secondary cat (damaged? from bottoming out somewhere?)
4. Kleemann Header (Hope its okai! i just replaced it last year..it cracked)
one of these~~~
any help would be appreciated~
.......The codes are usually P0300's such as P0301, P0302 etc. the 1 and 2 identify cylinder one and two respectively. This does not tell you anything other than that the cylinders are misfiring. Look for additional codes such as p0400's, P0100's. If there are no such active codes, look at the pending codes. The P100's are for those cars with MAF's. The P0400's are EGR codes causing exhaust gas recirculation.
.......The causes of such misfiring are devided into two broad categories. One category is problem with fuel and the other category is problem with electrical and EGR problems. There is the category of emissions control systems, these usually will not cause your engine to misfire.
.........The simplest fuel problem is a bad gas cap. I highly recommend you check this first. Don't make the mistake I made by checking this last. You can get a clue that you may have a bad gas cap if your CEL comes on after re-fueling or when your fuel tank is half or less. Physically inspecting the gas cap does not help. If your state has mandatory emission testing, the emission shop can check your gas cap fucntionality for you, or you may simply replace it. Yes, a bad gas cap can cause your cylinders to misfire. It did mine. Apparently, it makes your O2 sensors go nuts.
........Other fueling problems include, a bad fuel pump, bad injectors, bad fuel pressure regulator. I have learned that the problem is seldom the fuel pump. If you have a bad fuel pump, your car is unlikely to drive at all. Yes, I changed my fuel pump. It was not the problem, at least in my case.
.........You can have a flow test of your injectors done. I have no expoerience with fuel pressure regulators. Thank god, it is one thing that did not get replaced, yet.
.........Electrical problems that can cause misfirings are bad spark plugs and bad coil packs and ignition wires and bad spark plug wires,. In a new car such as yours, it is not the coil packs and ignition wires. Further, if you habe multiple cylinders misfiring, then it makes it even less likely to be coil packs and ignition wires wires because you would have to have multiple ones go bad at the same time. Check your spark plugs and the fit of your spark plug wires.
.........EGR can go bad. The code is a P0400 code. If your EGR needs to be replaced, make sure they clean out the EGR tubes and vacuum lines. CAUTION: A bad gas cap can cause a P0400 code. Yes, I replaced my EGR and cleaned the EGR tubes. Yes, I had a P0400 DTC, but it was not my EGR. It was my gas cap.
.......Other candidates include oxygen sensors, and damaged CATS. If you have a bad oxygen sensor, you should have a an oxygen sensor code. The code number escapes me at this time. If your CATS are bad, you generally can hear them rattling as you drive. Turn of your stereo and open your windows and listen.
..........Overall, if you have multiple cylinders misfiring, it is generally a simple problem. If you have a specific cylinder misfire. it can be more serious. In wjhich case you should do a compression test of that cylinder.
..........I am sure someone else can add more info. Good luck.
Ted
Last edited by Ted Baldwin; 09-29-2007 at 10:40 PM.
09-30-2007, 12:09 PM
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2004 MB E55 AMG, 2006 Audi A6 4.2, 2008 WRX STI
.......mmmmmm. I have become somewhat of an unwilling expert with check engine lights in the last 2 months. Here is my info.
.......The codes are usually P0300's such as P0301, P0302 etc. the 1 and 2 identify cylinder one and two respectively. This does not tell you anything other than that the cylinders are misfiring. Look for additional codes such as p0400's, P0100's. If there are no such active codes, look at the pending codes. The P100's are for those cars with MAF's. The P0400's are EGR codes causing exhaust gas recirculation.
.......The causes of such misfiring are devided into two broad categories. One category is problem with fuel and the other category is problem with electrical and EGR problems. There is the category of emissions control systems, these usually will not cause your engine to misfire.
.........The simplest fuel problem is a bad gas cap. I highly recommend you check this first. Don't make the mistake I made by checking this last. You can get a clue that you may have a bad gas cap if your CEL comes on after re-fueling or when your fuel tank is half or less. Physically inspecting the gas cap does not help. If your state has mandatory emission testing, the emission shop can check your gas cap fucntionality for you, or you may simply replace it. Yes, a bad gas cap can cause your cylinders to misfire. It did mine. Apparently, it makes your O2 sensors go nuts.
........Other fueling problems include, a bad fuel pump, bad injectors, bad fuel pressure regulator. I have learned that the problem is seldom the fuel pump. If you have a bad fuel pump, your car is unlikely to drive at all. Yes, I changed my fuel pump. It was not the problem, at least in my case.
.........You can have a flow test of your injectors done. I have no expoerience with fuel pressure regulators. Thank god, it is one thing that did not get replaced, yet.
.........Electrical problems that can cause misfirings are bad spark plugs and bad coil packs and ignition wires and bad spark plug wires,. In a new car such as yours, it is not the coil packs and ignition wires. Further, if you habe multiple cylinders misfiring, then it makes it even less likely to be coil packs and ignition wires wires because you would have to have multiple ones go bad at the same time. Check your spark plugs and the fit of your spark plug wires.
.........EGR can go bad. The code is a P0400 code. If your EGR needs to be replaced, make sure they clean out the EGR tubes and vacuum lines. CAUTION: A bad gas cap can cause a P0400 code. Yes, I replaced my EGR and cleaned the EGR tubes. Yes, I had a P0400 DTC, but it was not my EGR. It was my gas cap.
.......Other candidates include oxygen sensors, and damaged CATS. If you have a bad oxygen sensor, you should have a an oxygen sensor code. The code number escapes me at this time. If your CATS are bad, you generally can hear them rattling as you drive. Turn of your stereo and open your windows and listen.
..........Overall, if you have multiple cylinders misfiring, it is generally a simple problem. If you have a specific cylinder misfire. it can be more serious. In wjhich case you should do a compression test of that cylinder.
..........I am sure someone else can add more info. Good luck.
Ted
.......The codes are usually P0300's such as P0301, P0302 etc. the 1 and 2 identify cylinder one and two respectively. This does not tell you anything other than that the cylinders are misfiring. Look for additional codes such as p0400's, P0100's. If there are no such active codes, look at the pending codes. The P100's are for those cars with MAF's. The P0400's are EGR codes causing exhaust gas recirculation.
.......The causes of such misfiring are devided into two broad categories. One category is problem with fuel and the other category is problem with electrical and EGR problems. There is the category of emissions control systems, these usually will not cause your engine to misfire.
.........The simplest fuel problem is a bad gas cap. I highly recommend you check this first. Don't make the mistake I made by checking this last. You can get a clue that you may have a bad gas cap if your CEL comes on after re-fueling or when your fuel tank is half or less. Physically inspecting the gas cap does not help. If your state has mandatory emission testing, the emission shop can check your gas cap fucntionality for you, or you may simply replace it. Yes, a bad gas cap can cause your cylinders to misfire. It did mine. Apparently, it makes your O2 sensors go nuts.
........Other fueling problems include, a bad fuel pump, bad injectors, bad fuel pressure regulator. I have learned that the problem is seldom the fuel pump. If you have a bad fuel pump, your car is unlikely to drive at all. Yes, I changed my fuel pump. It was not the problem, at least in my case.
.........You can have a flow test of your injectors done. I have no expoerience with fuel pressure regulators. Thank god, it is one thing that did not get replaced, yet.
.........Electrical problems that can cause misfirings are bad spark plugs and bad coil packs and ignition wires and bad spark plug wires,. In a new car such as yours, it is not the coil packs and ignition wires. Further, if you habe multiple cylinders misfiring, then it makes it even less likely to be coil packs and ignition wires wires because you would have to have multiple ones go bad at the same time. Check your spark plugs and the fit of your spark plug wires.
.........EGR can go bad. The code is a P0400 code. If your EGR needs to be replaced, make sure they clean out the EGR tubes and vacuum lines. CAUTION: A bad gas cap can cause a P0400 code. Yes, I replaced my EGR and cleaned the EGR tubes. Yes, I had a P0400 DTC, but it was not my EGR. It was my gas cap.
.......Other candidates include oxygen sensors, and damaged CATS. If you have a bad oxygen sensor, you should have a an oxygen sensor code. The code number escapes me at this time. If your CATS are bad, you generally can hear them rattling as you drive. Turn of your stereo and open your windows and listen.
..........Overall, if you have multiple cylinders misfiring, it is generally a simple problem. If you have a specific cylinder misfire. it can be more serious. In wjhich case you should do a compression test of that cylinder.
..........I am sure someone else can add more info. Good luck.
Ted
Thank you Ted!!!the best write-up so far~lol the shop did a compression test. and the result was pretty bad...
Cylinder 1-165
2-160
3-95
4-175
5-175
6-150
7-175
8-175
they took the spark plugs out and there was oil all over it..(ill post some pics later) So, they switched the spark plugs and told me to take it easy since it could be internal damage.(Cylinder 3 for sure i think..)
and they told me they got rid of the check engine light. So, i picked my car up on Friday and test drove it first. The exhaust when i started up it smelled even worst(pure gas..told them to check my exhaust..but i dont think they did..
) and the exhaust sounded alot louder than before. (maybe my secondary cat is damaged?? i dont have Primary cat due to K2)Check engine light wasnt on then..after driving it for 3-4 minutes, it came right back on and at some point, it was blinking crazy!! and i felt no power at that point...so i decided to leave my car there and extend the warranty...the guy told me they need to take the head out to see whats going on inside..
At this point, im very very frustrasted and i dont know what to do....(plus i dont like leaving my car anywhere other than my house for too long...its been almost 2-3 weeks)
anywayz thanks again for helping me out and if u have any thoughts, please help...i think im gonna fix my car 100% and sell it~im so sick and tired of all this crap...
09-30-2007, 12:24 PM
#18
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thank you Ted!!!the best write-up so far~lol the shop did a compression test. and the result was pretty bad...
Cylinder 1-165
2-160
3-95
4-175
5-175
6-150
7-175
8-175
they took the spark plugs out and there was oil all over it..(ill post some pics later) So, they switched the spark plugs and told me to take it easy since it could be internal damage.(Cylinder 3 for sure i think..)
and they told me they got rid of the check engine light. So, i picked my car up on Friday and test drove it first. The exhaust when i started up it smelled even worst(pure gas..told them to check my exhaust..but i dont think they did..) and the exhaust sounded alot louder than before. (maybe my secondary cat is damaged?? i dont have Primary cat due to K2)
Check engine light wasnt on then..after driving it for 3-4 minutes, it came right back on and at some point, it was blinking crazy!! and i felt no power at that point...so i decided to leave my car there and extend the warranty...the guy told me they need to take the head out to see whats going on inside..
At this point, im very very frustrasted and i dont know what to do....(plus i dont like leaving my car anywhere other than my house for too long...its been almost 2-3 weeks)
anywayz thanks again for helping me out and if u have any thoughts, please help...i think im gonna fix my car 100% and sell it~im so sick and tired of all this crap...
Cylinder 1-165
2-160
3-95
4-175
5-175
6-150
7-175
8-175
they took the spark plugs out and there was oil all over it..(ill post some pics later) So, they switched the spark plugs and told me to take it easy since it could be internal damage.(Cylinder 3 for sure i think..)
and they told me they got rid of the check engine light. So, i picked my car up on Friday and test drove it first. The exhaust when i started up it smelled even worst(pure gas..told them to check my exhaust..but i dont think they did..
) and the exhaust sounded alot louder than before. (maybe my secondary cat is damaged?? i dont have Primary cat due to K2)Check engine light wasnt on then..after driving it for 3-4 minutes, it came right back on and at some point, it was blinking crazy!! and i felt no power at that point...so i decided to leave my car there and extend the warranty...the guy told me they need to take the head out to see whats going on inside..
At this point, im very very frustrasted and i dont know what to do....(plus i dont like leaving my car anywhere other than my house for too long...its been almost 2-3 weeks)
anywayz thanks again for helping me out and if u have any thoughts, please help...i think im gonna fix my car 100% and sell it~im so sick and tired of all this crap...
One way of testing if its a ring issue is to add a little oil in the cylinder and re doing a compression test, if the compression goes up you have a stuck or damaged ring. If the compression barely changes it's most likely the cylinder head.
09-30-2007, 12:31 PM
#19
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2004 MB E55 AMG, 2006 Audi A6 4.2, 2008 WRX STI
im not really sure if they performed it for not....probably not since they didnt give me a perfect answer....i pmed the guy who is fixing my car...im really frustrated with this whole situation...i dont even know what to do....i just extended my warranty for now..
09-30-2007, 12:49 PM
#20
MBWorld Fanatic!
Hang in there and keep it, once it's fixed you will have it behind you and the warranty is sweet to have. It would be hard to sell it and try to explain the work....
09-30-2007, 03:34 PM
#21
Having replaced an engine due to this problem, I can tell you that the reason you get broken pistons is due to bad a/f in the cylinders. They need to find out why? Look at your long and short term fuel trim adaptation values. DO NOT be shy. It is your car. DO not take the car back unless there is an answer to why the car ran lean. You need a mechanic who is very curious, not one who just wants to get you back on the road.
Ted
09-30-2007, 09:21 PM
#22
Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: NY
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2006 WHITE RENNTECH E55
Joon, long time no see. Good luck wit all that sht.
i hate leaving any of my cars anywhere for more than a minute. but i will all work out. unfortunatly we got to be patient
i hate leaving any of my cars anywhere for more than a minute. but i will all work out. unfortunatly we got to be patient
10-01-2007, 10:44 PM
#24
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: In a box
Posts: 2,513
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
W211 E55
.......... The real question is why did the ring or piston got damaged? Notice that you have a misfiring from the entire right side. The individual cylinder with the low compression or broken rings is just a symptom of the problem. The same thing can happen to the other cylinders on the right side.
Having replaced an engine due to this problem, I can tell you that the reason you get broken pistons is due to bad a/f in the cylinders. They need to find out why? Look at your long and short term fuel trim adaptation values. DO NOT be shy. It is your car. DO not take the car back unless there is an answer to why the car ran lean. You need a mechanic who is very curious, not one who just wants to get you back on the road.
Ted
Having replaced an engine due to this problem, I can tell you that the reason you get broken pistons is due to bad a/f in the cylinders. They need to find out why? Look at your long and short term fuel trim adaptation values. DO NOT be shy. It is your car. DO not take the car back unless there is an answer to why the car ran lean. You need a mechanic who is very curious, not one who just wants to get you back on the road.
Ted
Good luck, J.
