2001 Chevy Express 3500 Cargo Van. With Codes.

Hoping someone can help me out.

Been having trouble with the truck. The second spark plug from the in the cab on the left fouls up a lot. Have been going through gas and oil like crazy. Truck is almost knocking while in drive (parked) and when hitting gas (not as pronounced though), also there seems to be an ebb and flow while keeping on the gas at a consistent pressure. Acceleration seems harder as well.

Was told to get some codes...so...

I went to AutoZone and had the codes ran.

Codes 0404 and 300.

404- EGR sensor
Prob cause-
1. Falied EGR position sensor.
2. Open or short circuit condition.
3. Failed EGR valve.
4. Failed EGR pressure sensor where applicable.
5. Failed EGR position sensor where applicable.

Code 300- Cylinder misfire detected-random cylinders
Prob cause-
1. Ignition system fault-spark plugs, ignition wires, coil.
2. Vacuum leak.
3. Injector fault.
4. high or low fuel pressure.

Explanations-

404-The ECM has detected a fault in the EGR position sensor
300-The powertrain control module monitors the crankshaft speed and has detected a misfire condition.


So how can I clean or replace the EGR?(where is it/whats she look like?) I have seen some other posts on these as well.

Maybe this is causing the spark plug issue, causing the cylinder probs???

Thanks a ton. I really appreciate any help.

B

Hoping someone can help me out.

Been having trouble with the truck. The second spark plug from the in the cab on the left fouls up a lot. Have been going through gas and oil like crazy. Truck is almost knocking while in drive (parked) and when hitting gas (not as pronounced though), also there seems to be an ebb and flow while keeping on the gas at a consistent pressure. Acceleration seems harder as well.

Was told to get some codes...so...

I went to AutoZone and had the codes ran.

Codes 0404 and 300.

404- EGR sensor
Prob cause-
1. Falied EGR position sensor.
2. Open or short circuit condition.
3. Failed EGR valve.
4. Failed EGR pressure sensor where applicable.
5. Failed EGR position sensor where applicable.

Code 300- Cylinder misfire detected-random cylinders
Prob cause-
1. Ignition system fault-spark plugs, ignition wires, coil.
2. Vacuum leak.
3. Injector fault.
4. high or low fuel pressure.

Explanations-

404-The ECM has detected a fault in the EGR position sensor
300-The powertrain control module monitors the crankshaft speed and has detected a misfire condition.


So how can I clean or replace the EGR?(where is it/whats she look like?) I have seen some other posts on these as well.

Maybe this is causing the spark plug issue, causing the cylinder probs???

Thanks a ton. I really appreciate any help.

B

What engine and mileage?
How much oil is it using?
Any blue smoke out tail pipe?

Codes only say cylinder miss and egr valve problem.
I do not think egr problem is causing using oil and plug foul.

Is gas getting down in crankcase/engine oil?
Any fuel pressure leakage/fast leak down?

Is fouled plug oil soaked or just black on end?

How is compression on that cylinder and the rest of cylinders?

Does engine have blowby?
Is PCV valve sucking good?
Any coolant lose?

MT-
Thank you for the quick response. It is much appreciated. I apologize in advance for my lack of auto know how and will answer to the best of my ability.




What engine and mileage?
V8 350, 120k.

How much oil is it using?
Rough estimate is about a quart every 2-3weeks. (this is rough est.)

Any blue smoke out tail pipe?
I have not noticed this. I noticed smoke (dont believe it was blue however) coming out about a month ago but it subsided after awhile.


Codes only say cylinder miss and egr valve problem.
I do not think egr problem is causing using oil and plug foul.
Was afraid that this simple problem would not be the culprit.


Is gas getting down in crankcase/engine oil?
No, do not believe so. A friend who knows only slightly more than myself on vehicles said oil is leaking into cylinder and fouling plug. Take it with a grain of salt/for what its worth.

Any fuel pressure leakage/fast leak down?
No.

Is fouled plug oil soaked or just black on end?
Black on end.

How is compression on that cylinder and the rest of cylinders?
Unknown. However I would guess there is somewhere as there is a loss of power. How would one check this?

Does engine have blowby?
Do not know.

Is PCV valve sucking good?
Yes. (At least this is what is believed my by friend).

Any coolant lose?
No.


I hope this helps to narrow something down for you.
All the best.

MT-
Thank you for the quick response. It is much appreciated. I apologize in advance for my lack of auto know how and will answer to the best of my ability.




What engine and mileage?
V8 350, 120k.

How much oil is it using?
Rough estimate is about a quart every 2-3weeks. (this is rough est.)

Any blue smoke out tail pipe?
I have not noticed this. I noticed smoke (dont believe it was blue however) coming out about a month ago but it subsided after awhile.


Codes only say cylinder miss and egr valve problem.
I do not think egr problem is causing using oil and plug foul.
Was afraid that this simple problem would not be the culprit.


Is gas getting down in crankcase/engine oil?
No, do not believe so. A friend who knows only slightly more than myself on vehicles said oil is leaking into cylinder and fouling plug. Take it with a grain of salt/for what its worth.

Any fuel pressure leakage/fast leak down?
No.

Is fouled plug oil soaked or just black on end?
Black on end.

How is compression on that cylinder and the rest of cylinders?
Unknown. However I would guess there is somewhere as there is a loss of power. How would one check this?

Does engine have blowby?
Do not know.

Is PCV valve sucking good?
Yes. (At least this is what is believed my by friend).

Any coolant lose?
No.


I hope this helps to narrow something down for you.
All the best.

Yes that helps.
Your code 404 is for a open pintel on EGR valve.
which can cause cylinder miss.
EGR valve is a can looking thing on front of intake.
Wir plug on topp and mounted with 2 bolts on bottom.
around 3 1/2 in round and about 4-41/2 in long.
Remove it and check for carbon ball stuck in pintel valve.
If so remove carbon ball and instal valve and see if code and miss goes away.
Code sometimes has to be cleared wth a scanner.

If code stays or come back after code clear replace egr valve and see what it does.
Let us know how it goes.

Thanks MT!!! Still issues though.

Worked very well. Eliminated id say 85-90% of the knock and 'rumble' issues.

Went back the AutoZone to clear codes but they came right back.

So, I am going to replace the spark plugs as well, especially the one which fouls up all the time.

I am hoping that this finally gets the engine to behave like it should and the check engine light to go off.

I will keep you posted.

Thanks MT!!! Still issues though.

Worked very well. Eliminated id say 85-90% of the knock and 'rumble' issues.

Went back the AutoZone to clear codes but they came right back.

So, I am going to replace the spark plugs as well, especially the one which fouls up all the time.

I am hoping that this finally gets the engine to behave like it should and the check engine light to go off.

I will keep you posted.

You a welcome.
Which codes came back?

Had codes reset.

They came back shortly thereafter. The 'knocking' and shaking of the van have been significantly decreased however it is still there as is the service engine light.

I did replace the fouled spark plug which had oil on it. It seemed to help the gas mileage.

Again though, service engine lights are still on.

Beginning to think that something more sinister is happening here.

Anything else that you could possibly think of?

Thank you again.

Had codes reset.

They came back shortly thereafter. The 'knocking' and shaking of the van have been significantly decreased however it is still there as is the service engine light.

I did replace the fouled spark plug which had oil on it. It seemed to help the gas mileage.

Again though, service engine lights are still on.

Beginning to think that something more sinister is happening here.

Anything else that you could possibly think of?

Thank you again.


What codes came back?
Post code no. that came back?