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Inspections

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DEFINITION: Steady pulsation or jerking that follows engine speed, usually more pronounced as engine load increases. This condition is not normally felt above 1,500 RPM or 48 km/h (30 mph). The exhaust has a steady spitting sound at idle or low speed.

Preliminary
    • Refer to Important Preliminary Inspections Before Starting in Symptoms - Engine Controls .
    • Search for bulletins.
    • Verify that the engine control module (ECM) grounds are clean, tight, and in the proper locations. Refer to Power and Grounding Component Views and Engine Controls Schematics .
    • Remove the air filter element and inspect for dirt and for restrictions. Refer to Air Cleaner Element Replacement . Replace as necessary.

Fuel System
    • Inspect the fuel injectors. Refer to Fuel Injector Solenoid Coil Test .
    • Inspect for incorrect fuel pressure. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
    • Inspect for a restricted fuel filter. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
    • Inspect for the following that may cause the engine to run rich:

Notice: Refer to Heated Oxygen and Oxygen Sensor Notice in the Preface section.

       - Water intrusion in the heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) connector.
       - Engine oil contaminated by fuel.
       - An evaporative emission (EVAP) canister purge condition.
       - Incorrect fuel pressure. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
       - A leaking fuel pressure regulator--. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
       - Leaking fuel injectors. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
       - An inaccurate mass air flow (MAF) sensor.
       - Blockage on the inlet screen of the MAF sensor. Refer to Mass Airflow Sensor/Intake Air Temperature Sensor Replacement
       - Vacuum hoses that are split, kinked, or incorrectly connected.
       - An air intake duct that is collapsed or restricted.
       - An air filter that is dirty or restricted. Refer to Air Cleaner Element Replacement .
    • Inspect for the following conditions that may cause the engine to run lean:

Notice: Refer to Heated Oxygen and Oxygen Sensor Notice in the Preface section.

       - Water intrusion in the HO2S connector.
       - An exhaust leak between the HO2S and the engine. Refer to Exhaust Leakage .
       - Vacuum leaks.
       - Incorrect fuel pressure. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
       - Restricted fuel injectors. Refer to Fuel Injector Balance Test with Special Tool or Fuel Injector Balance Test with Tech 2 .
       - An inaccurate MAF sensor.
       - Vacuum hoses that are split, kinked, or incorrectly connected.

Sensor/System

Use a scan tool in order to monitor the knock sensor (KS) system for excessive spark retard activity. Refer to Knock Sensor (KS) System Description .

Ignition System
    • Soak the secondary ignition system with water from a spray bottle. Soaking the secondary ignition system may help locate damaged or deteriorated components. Look and listen for arcing or misfiring as you apply water.
    • Test for proper ignition voltage output with the J 26792 Spark Tester.
    • Remove the spark plugs and inspect for the following:
       - Correct heat range.
       - Wet plugs.
       -  Cracks.
       - Wear.
       - incorrect gap.
       - Burned electrodes.
       - Heavy deposits.

Refer to Spark Plug Inspection .

    • An incorrect spark plug gap will cause a driveability problem. Refer to Spark Plug Inspection . Gap the spark plugs using a wire gage gap tool. Refer to Spark Plug Replacement .
    • Determine the cause of the fouling before replacing the spark plugs.
    •  Visually and physically inspect the secondary ignition for the following:
       - The ignition wires arcing to ground.
       - The ignition wires for proper engagement to spark plug.
       - The ignition coils for cracks or carbon tracking.
    • Monitor the Misfire Current Counters while driving the vehicle in the conditions that the misfire occurred. If a misfiring cylinder can be located, use the DTC P0300 table for diagnosis. Refer to DTC P0300 .

Engine Mechanical
    • Inspect engine mechanical for the following:
       - Inspect compression. Refer to Engine Compression Test .
       - Sticking or leaking valves.
       - Worn camshaft lobes.
       - Valve timing.
       - Bent push rods.
       - Worn rocker arms.
       - Broken valve springs.
       - Excessive oil in combustion chamber. Refer to Oil Consumption Diagnosis .
    •  For incorrect basic engine parts inspect the following:
       - The camshaft. Refer to Camshaft and Bearings Cleaning and Inspection .
       - The cylinder heads. Refer to Cylinder Head Cleaning and Inspection .
       - The pistons, etc. Refer to Piston, Connecting Rod, and Bearing Cleaning and Inspection .
    • Inspect for excessive crankshaft endplay that will cause the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor reluctor wheel to move out of alignment with the CKP sensor. Refer to Crankshaft and Bearing Cleaning and Inspection . This could result in any of the following conditions:
       - A no start
       - A start and stall
       - Erratic performance

Refer to Symptoms - Engine Mechanical , for diagnostic procedures.

Additional Inspections
    • Inspect the exhaust system for possible restrictions. Inspect for the following:
       - Inspect the exhaust system for damaged or collapsed pipes.
       - Inspect the mufflers for heat distress or possible internal failure.
       - Inspect for possible plugged catalytic converters. Refer to Restricted Exhaust .
    • Electromagnetic interference (EMI) on the reference circuit can cause an engine misfire condition. A sudden increase in indicated RPM with little change in actual engine RPM change indicates EMI is present. Inspect for high voltage components near ignition control circuits if a condition exists.
    • Inspect the intake manifold and the exhaust manifold passages for casting flash.