GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Oldsmobile 🢒 1999 🢒 Intrigue 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Mechanical - 3.5L 🢒 Base Engine Misfire Diagnosis

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Important: Engine performance diagnosis procedures are covered in Engine Controls and should be consulted for diagnosis of any Driveability, Emissions, or Malfunctioning Indicator Lamp (MIL) concerns.

The following diagnosis covers common concerns and possible causes.

When the proper diagnosis is made, the concern should be corrected by adjustment, repair or replacement as required.

Refer to the appropriate section of the service manual for each specific procedure.

This diagnostic table will assist in engine misfire diagnosis due to a mechanical concern such as a faulty camshaft, worn or damaged bearings.

a crossed injector wire, faulty injector or any other driveability component failure that may cause a misfire.

The Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic System checks must be performed first.

When using this table to make a Base Engine Misfire diagnosis, begin with the preliminary information below and then proceed to the specific category.

Preliminary
  1. Perform DTC P0300 before proceeding with Base Engine Misfire Diagnosis information.

    2. DTC P0300 will assist in determining which cylinder or cylinders are misfiring.

  2. Perform a visual inspection of the following:
    3. • Loose or improperly installed engine flywheel or crankshaft balancer
    • Worn, damaged, or misaligned accessory drive system components
  3. Listen to the engine for any abnormal internal engine noises.
  4. Verify the engine has acceptable oil pressure.

    5. Refer to Oil Pressure Diagnosis and Testing.

  5. Verify if the engine has excessive oil consumption.

    6. Refer to Oil Consumption Diagnosis .

  6. Verify if the engine has coolant consumption.
  7. Perform a compression test on the engine.

    8. Refer to Engine Compression Test .

Intake Manifold Leaks

An intake manifold that has a vacuum leak may cause a misfire.

Inspect for the following:

    • Improperly installed or damaged vacuum hoses
    • Faulty or improperly installed intake manifold and/or gaskets
    • Cracked or damaged intake manifold
    • Improperly installed or damaged Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor housing (located near the throttle body at the top of the manifold)
    • Improperly installed or damaged MAP sensor O-ring seal
    • Improperly installed MAP sensor
        The sealing grommet of the MAP sensor should not be torn or damaged
    • Improperly installed throttle body or damaged gasket
    • Warped intake manifold
    • Warped or damaged cylinder head sealing surface

Coolant Consumption

Coolant consumption may or may not cause the engine to overheat.

Inspect for the following:

    • External coolant leaks
    • Faulty cylinder head gasket
    • Warped cylinder head
    • Cracked cylinder head
    • Damaged engine block

Oil Consumption
  1. Oil consumption may or may not cause the engine to misfire.
  2. Remove the spark plugs and inspect for an oil fouled spark plug.
  3. Perform a cylinder compression test.

    4. Refer to Engine Compression Test .

  4. If the compression test indicates worn valves or valve guides, inspect for the following:
    5. • Worn valve guides
    • Worn valve stems
    • Worn or burnt valves or valve seats
    • Worn, brittle, or improperly installed valve stem oil seals
  5. If the compression test indicates worn or damaged piston rings, inspect the following:
    6. • Broken, missing, misinstalled or improperly seated piston rings
    • Excessive piston ring end gap
    • Excessive cylinder bore wear or taper
    • Cylinder damage
    • Piston damage

Abnormal Internal Engine Noises
  1. With the engine running try and determine if the noise is timed to camshaft speed or crankshaft speed.
  2. Using a timing light, two knocks per flash is crankshaft speed and one knock per flash is camshaft speed.
  3. If the noise is timed to camshaft speed, inspect the following:
    4. • Missing or loose valve train components
    • Faulty valve lifters
    • Faulty valve springs
    • Bent or burnt valves
    • Worn camshaft lobes
    • Worn or damaged timing chain and/or sprockets

    Important: A slight COLD knock or piston slapping noise could be considered normal if not present after the engine has reached normal operating temperatures.

  4. If the knock is timed to crankshaft speed, inspect the following:
    5. • Worn crankshaft main or connecting rod bearings
    • Piston or cylinder damage
    • Worn piston or piston pin
    • Damaged or faulty connecting rod
    • Excessive carbon build-up on the top of the piston

No Abnormal Internal Engine Noise
  1. Remove the camshaft cover on the side of the engine with the cylinder that is misfiring.
  2. Inspect for the following:
    3. • Worn or improperly installed timing chain and/or sprockets.
    • Faulty valve springs
    • Worn valve lifters on the camshaft or valve tip surfaces.
    • Faulty valve lifters (bleeding down)
    • Worn or improperly seated valves
    • Worn camshaft lobes