GMC Repair: 2000 S-10 Engine Problems, cam shaft, gm vehicles

Question
Autohelp,

Thank you for answering my first question.  Here's my follow-up to your questions:

Once the truck starts with starting fluid, it won't run unless you keep spraying it in there.  But don't worry, I have only tried that once and not for very long.  I didn't want to damage anything.

The truck has a different engine in it than it did when I bought it.  At about 35,000 miles, my engine blew.  Being the beginner I am, I don't know exactly what happened.  All I know is that it was going to cost me tons to fix it...so the alternative was to replace it.  The engine in there now is from the same model year of my truck so it's actually the 'same' engine in essence.  All small parts were replaced on the engine to ensure proper operation.  I haven't had any problems with the engine at all.  All other regular maintenance has been performed.

I suppose the best thing to do would be to have it checked out somewhere where they have the equipment.  I'm just skeptical sometimes...I don't want to get taken and pay much more than I really have to.  Hopefully this won't happen.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.  Thanks again.

Dustin

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Follow-up To Question:

My truck, a 2000 Chevrolet S-10 Xtreme, just decided not to start one day. Basically, the battery is fine - fully charged - and the truck will start if I use starter fluid in the breather.

I've heard things like: fuel filter, fuel pump, PCV valve, cam shaft sensor, fuel injector sensor, etc. I know that the engine itself has about 40,000 miles on it and that it's in very good condition.  The fuel pump works (hums when I turn the key to run).

The latest idea I've heard is that GM vehicles are notorious for something under the distributor cap (I don't know what it's called) to stop working, causing the engine to turn over but not start. Does this sound familiar? Any ideas?

Thanks for all the help.

Dustin

Answer:

NEVER EVER use starting fluid in today's gasoline computerized vehicles as you will eventually cause damage to the vehicles sensors and or to the engine.

You are probably referring to the IGITION MODULE and or the PICKUP COIL within the distributor.

If the only way the vehicle will start is via starting fluid this pretty well leaves you with a fuel related problem.

Once the engine starts vis starting fluid does it continue to run or does it only run if you keep spraying starting fluid into the intake ?.

What previous repairs of anykind what-so-ever have been performed on this vehicle prior to this problem even if you think it is NOT possibly related to your current problem.

Just because you can hear the fuel pump run for 2 seconds as you turn the ignition ON, does not mean that the pump is not the fault. You need to physically install a fuel pressure tester on the fuel system and check the fuel pump pressure and the flow volume of the pump.

Example: You can hear your lawn mower running but is the blade spinning under the mower ?. just because you can hear the fuel pump running in the fuel tank of your vehicle are you sure it is pumping the correct PRESSURE and VOLUME of fuel ?.





autohelp

Answer
OK, You stated "All small parts were replaced on the engine to ensure proper operation ". Exactly what small parts did you change ?.

Trying to visualize every year make and model sometimes is very difficult to do. Although I have an extensive library of books, There are many instances where I do not have a particular year and model vehicle book to refer to of which is the case with your vehicle.

Is there any way you can take some pictures of the engine compartment of your vehicle so I can get a visual on it.

I am going to give you some probabilities but several pictures of the engine compartment would be very very helpful and you can e-mail them to me directly at:

meperganfortis@msn.com

and nd this would be a great help.

Ok, Here are some items to check, If applicable to your vehicle:

1. The crankshaft sensor and wire connector.

2. Fuel pressure and volume.

3. Check all of your engine compartment electrical connectors as I have found on numerous occassions when electrical connections were left unplugged for several days such as is the case when you change out an engine, Moisture tends to be absorbed onto the small spade electrical connections within the electrical plugs while they are disconnected and over time these connections start to corrode and thus a problem within the connection starts to occur thus causing all sorts of problems.


As a classic example, I happened to be in the right place at the right time as I was called by a repair facility that sswapped out an engine and about 2 months later the car started to exhibit intermittent starting problems such as yours.

The vehicles owner had it back to the shop on several occassions and they spent days trying to solve the problem and invested $1000.00 dollars in various new parts with no positive results. I was called and I loaded up my pickup with all my tools and diagnostic equipment and hooked up my car trailer to the truck and went to the shop. The vehicles owner happened to be there when I arrived and was so frustrated at this point that he said to me "If you would pay for the parts that have been installed, I will give you the vehicle. So without hesitation I wrote the guy a check and he signed off on the title.

I loaded the vehicle onto my trailer and brought it home. After about 10 minutes of testing, I found an electrical connector that had quite a bit of corrosion as one would expect as explained above.

I cleaned and repaired the connections and checked the others of which had minor spots of corrosion.

So for $1,000.00 I purchased a 1991 Ford Crown Victoria with all the bells and whistles with approx 68,000 original miles on it as it was a one owner vehicle as the guy bought it brand new of which I have been driving for the last 2 years.


let me know what you find.

I do not have a staff of people helping me answer your questions, I do it all by my self, Therefore, Due to being retired and a 15 year old computer on a dial-up connection, I do my best to respond to questions within 3 to 4 hours due to the volume of questions I receive on a daily basis.


autohelp