Over the past 3 years, I have taken my truck to several different shops and have been charged over $5000. The problem only gets worse. Every shop goes through the “plugs, wires, cap, button, fuel filter, air filter” routine even though I tell then not to because all of it has already been changed.

Original problem: Head gasket leaking. I had this fixed.

When I got my truck back, there was a bad fuel leak on top of the engine where the fuel lines go into the intake. The shop said to just put an o-ring on it. It took 4 to stop the leak. There it nothing for the line to seal to. Another shop charged me $150 to take the o-rings off and install the securing bracket backwards (making the leak much worse). Is there a part missing that these shops don’t know about?

Also, the engine is running rough. 5.7 vortec v8. When put in a slight strain it begins to run on less than 8 cylinders. The more the torque needed the less fire you get. Very bad hesitation at high rpm. This isn’t, as one shop put it, something you can “blow through”. I have been told to change my catalytic converters and all 4 oxygen sensors.

Anyone know where I can get a good manual for this engine? I’m not much of a mechanic but I could have gotten the same results as the “professionals” by simply keeping my money in my pocket. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

1996 c1500 p/u 5.7 vortec

Does the problem go away when the truck reaches operating tempature? What codes are stored on the computer?

do you know for sure that it's not running on all 8 cylinders? it might be something as simple as a plugged up catalytic converter... the one on a van belonging to my parents a few years back got plugged and it had no power at all and would ping like crazy... we thought that the engine was shot or something, but then we replaced the cat, and it was like night and day... it was running very smooth and actually had some get-up-and-go.

try unbolting the cat if its bolted in, if its welded, unbolt some part before the cat... this temporary unbolting will likely allow you to tell if the cat is clogged... if it is, then it will run better when you unhook the cat, as common sense would tell... if the cat is fine, then the engine wont do any better... i wouldnt recommend driving like that tho, with the exhaust unbolted at some area...

http://www.iwemalpg.com/Vacuum_gauge.htm if you use a vacuum gauge hooked up to manifold pressure you can diagnose a clogged exhaust system, if you use google you can find many articles on it.

So you still have a fuel leak?... What year is the truck? How many miles are on the truck? For sure check the cat, do not get a new until you are sure. Are you fuel injected or a throttle body? If you are losing fuel currently that will also cause you to lose power... lots of power. Was your timing checked? Properly?

Chiltons makes a great manuel for these trucks, you can pick one up at auto zone. Update us with some info so we can help you.

also, make sure your valve-train is all operating properly