Engine issues!! HELP!! 2000 camaro SS
 

4 days ago after getting gas and letting the car sit for the time i was in the gym (1-1 1/2hrs) i proceeded home when i didnt even got a block and the car started to buck and felt like i had no gas. I got out and fiddled with the gas cap which felt loose and everything was fine. Flash to yesterday, trip to gym no problems, come back out start the car and was having a conversation when the tone of my ca changed and i could hear it running terrible. Exhaust not was choppy and sounded like it was backfireing, also felt as if air was being sucked into the tailpipes and not firing out of them, then the check engine light started to flash. Played with the gas cap a little bit and was able to get home but the car wasnt running right. ANY SUGGESTION!!

Key Points- about 2 months ago I installed LT headers, removed my cats (ORY) and removed all my emissions (AIR,EGR). I have not gotten my PCM retuned for that so my check enhine light has been on anyway. once this happened i immediatly thought of my computer and ordered a tune from PCMforless calibrated for my upgrades. Please Help! My poor baby!

Fiddling with the gas cap won't do any good, it's just a cap.

Now when you say air was going INTO the exhaust system, do you mean it sounded like a vacuum or something? Your flashing check engine light means your car is misfiring, which means you can have defective spark plugs.. wires.. injectors.. maybe o2 sensors..

Can you explain what happened when your car felt like it had no gas, did it shut off?

Pull the codes from the PCM would be where I would start.

When i had a bad temp sensor my car would have symptoms similar to that

Get the codes in the PCM first. Anything else at this point is speculation.

Scan for codes next time the check engine light comes on. Its most likely the O2 sensors. Did you use a plug and play extension harness or splice the wires yourself?

I agree on most likely an o2 issue but also recommend the whole scan thing first.

The codes will be stored in the computer unless the OP erased them or disconnected the battery.

Especially if the headers were new and the O2s were not changed. But time for a scanzors.

I would've said bad gas/possible h2o in the system but if its intermittent then it's probably be related to the ignition system.

BullittSVT: The car would bogg out and then pickup and then bogg down again, no throttle response. Car never shut off though. Also what i ment like the exhaust sounded like a vacuum what i mean is it didnt sound like the exhaust was coming out of the pipes, it was very soft and bogged down. A popping sound, some smoke came out after the last time i took it down the road.

KirkEvil: a buddy of mine whose also on this site spliced the wires for me. he did a pretty damn good job, but we didnt replace the o2 sensors, out of the 4 we took the best 2 since i dont have cats anymore.

WildBillyT: Definately want to get the new codes put into the PCM and see what happens after

Go to autozone and get the computer scanned. Write down the codes they retrieve from the computer and then post them here.

Stop going to the Gym if thats the only time car acts up...lol

Seriously, post costs and we'll help you.

Pull the codes. Any parts store will have an OBDII scanner that you can use/they can hook up for you for free; Napa, Autozone, Advanced Auto, or any garage/shop/mechanics.


Post the codes here.

I originally spliced mine and thought I did a good job but some of the connections must have loosened over time and thats all it needed to start burning through o2 sensors. If the scan comes up with o2 sensor issues, I think you should replace both the harness and o2s.

IDK if anyone mentioned it, but why not have a parts store pull the codes and report back?

This is good advice. If the splices are soldered the O2s may be off. Soldering connections on signal wires can create problems due to additional resistance from the solder itself. Might be rare but it does happen.

No, no one mentioned this but would be a good idea.

:bertstare:

Can you do the paperclip jumper to flash codes on the dash of that car?

Nope, car is too new for that

I would put money on the 02 extenders/02 sensors failing.

How much money? :)

I have HPtuners and can pull the codes for you.

I have to go to LI to pick up doors tomorrow at noon, but I should be home by 2pm, and could do it in the afternoon.

Thanks for all the responses guys. Only thing is my computer isnt updated for the missing 02s from when i put the headers on. so should i just wait until i get the new pcm from pcmforless, run it, and see if it throws codes. only because wont it already be throwing out codes for emissions (EGR,AIR- took thjat out) and 02s (took the cats out). Be hard to say what thr problem is.

V: Ill PM you my number, if we are both around and you want to swing by you can

I think the consensus here is that your FRONT O2s may be bad due to the header install. The rear ones do not adjust your AF ratio.