QuestionQUESTION: I have several problems with my car - but I don't want to get rid of it. There is an engine leak and I have these codes that I want to know what they mean. They are P1521: VRIS #1 Solemaid Problem; P1522: VRIS #2 Sole Problem; P0304: CY 4 Misfire; P0325: Knock Sensor Problem. Please tell me that I don't have to get rid of my car or sell one of my kids to repair it!
ANSWER: I can not tell you specifically what each code means. I can, however, tell you that most of these kinds of codes are brought on by simple problems.
You mentioned that you have an engine leak. What kind of leak? Is it a vacuum leak? An oil leak? If you have a vacuum leak, then that could explain why you are getting these codes.
CY 4 misfire simply means that cylinder 4 is not firing all the time, or it is not firing at all. The vacuum leak, if you have one, could be the cause.
The knock sensor code could be related to this as well, but until we know if you do indeed have a vacuum leak, and if that vacuum leak is causing the misfire, we can not say for certain.
The solenoid codes are probably linked as well. I would be hard pressed to tell you how, but codes generally come in bunches. Multiple codes will generally point to one problem. Four codes will almost never indicate four individual problems.
Figure out whether of not you have a vacuum leak. If you do, find it and locate it. After it is located, fix it. Once the leak is fixed, you may be able to disconnect the negative battery cable and clear the codes. If that does not work, drive down to Auto Zone and have them clear the codes for free.
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QUESTION: I have an oil leak. I was told that the rear and front seals on the engine are leaking. I ws also told that it would cost $2500 to repair. Does this sound right?
ANSWER: The oil leaks can certainly cost that much to repair, but how bad are the leaks? Do you need to add more than half a quart when you get gas? If the leak is fairly small, then I would let it leak.
Unfortunately, an oil leak would not cause any engine codes unless it was enormous or if the engine ran out of oil completely, or both.
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QUESTION: I don't add the oil very often. But when you see the oil on the ground it appears to be a lot. The engine has never run completely out of oil. However when I noticed the engine was leaking later the check engine light came on and everything seemed to go haywire.
So are you saying that the codes are caused by another problem not the oil leak. Most repair shops want to charge you just to evaluate the vehicle. I don't want to pay $150 just to find out what the problem is and then more to repair it.
AnswerIn regards to your oil leak, if you don't need to religiously check the oil to keep the engine from running low, then I really don't think it makes sense to spend $2,500 to fix it. Heck, that's half the value of the car. Just check the oil periodically and if the puddle is staining your driveway, then get an oil pan.
I still think that you should try to track down any possible vacuum leaks. A vacuum leak could cause all of the codes you have, especially if you have a leak near the intake runner for the #4 cylinder.
