Opened up a hornets nest!!!
#1
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Wow, tody I opened a hornets nest here. Check this out.
Today, me feeling industrious and all got to work on the car that I have been putting off for a week or so. I changed the engine oil cooler lines (115.00 CAD), replaced the left swaybar end link (too short of one put on before), replaced the O2 sensor (check out the pic of that one!!!!) and worked on replacing the supercharger coupler. A tall order for a morning job. Everything went well until the supercharger. I was determined to be able to replace the coupler without removing the supercharger assembly. About a half hour into it I got thoroughly disgusted with the bracket that holds the alternator and power steering pump on. If that was to come off easily then the coupler would be a 45 minute job. No such luck. I then decided to take the assembly off, which took about a half hour. Unfortunately I did not buy the gasket for it and of course the old one being brittle broke in pieces. That now told me that it was not going to be done today. Oh well. I took off the nose and discover the rattling sound in the supercharger. The coupler was actually broken on one post hole (there wasn't much oil left in it either). I had a look at the injectors after I finished with the supercharger and discover a very bad thing. The injector tips are melted and brittle. I was having a problem with detonation earlier and had to remove the catalytic converter because it had melted. I am still trying to figure out the cause of the detonation itself before I buy a new cat. The O2 sensor was clogged (it is original with 248 000kms). This could make then engine run rich leading to my horrible fuel economy. My engine was running hot before and I changed the radiator it was running upwards of 215-220 degrees. It now is running with a new original 195 stat at between 195-202. When the car is first started up, it has tons of power but about 10 minutes later it starts to lack in power (very noticeably). I am hoping that the new O2 sensor is going to take care of that. It seems when it goes into closed loop is when the power is lost. The odd time when I step on the gas (WOT) when the engine is hot it detonates a little (a chuckle from the engine that sounds like fuel combusting in the exhaust manifold on the left side of the engine).
Here is a picture of my coupler.
![](http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/11/web/431000-431999/431591_5_full.jpg)
The bearings in the supercharger itself seem alright.
Here is a picture of my O2 sensor. About time I think.
![](http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/11/web/431000-431999/431591_6_full.jpg)
Now the really horrible part!!! I am open to suggestions on this one. Replacing all six injectors with new ones seem like a really expensive option. I think they run about 60-70 bucks a piece!! The injector nozzels themselves are clean and in good shape and the car runs well. All the sparkplugs are buring well and are light brown. Is there any way to replace the plastic nozzel pieces. I remember running into this prblem when I worked for Ford. I used to break some once and a while while doing head gasjet jobs on the 3.8L. Anyone have some injectors kicking around that I could buy?
Here'* the pics, get ready to cringe!
Today, me feeling industrious and all got to work on the car that I have been putting off for a week or so. I changed the engine oil cooler lines (115.00 CAD), replaced the left swaybar end link (too short of one put on before), replaced the O2 sensor (check out the pic of that one!!!!) and worked on replacing the supercharger coupler. A tall order for a morning job. Everything went well until the supercharger. I was determined to be able to replace the coupler without removing the supercharger assembly. About a half hour into it I got thoroughly disgusted with the bracket that holds the alternator and power steering pump on. If that was to come off easily then the coupler would be a 45 minute job. No such luck. I then decided to take the assembly off, which took about a half hour. Unfortunately I did not buy the gasket for it and of course the old one being brittle broke in pieces. That now told me that it was not going to be done today. Oh well. I took off the nose and discover the rattling sound in the supercharger. The coupler was actually broken on one post hole (there wasn't much oil left in it either). I had a look at the injectors after I finished with the supercharger and discover a very bad thing. The injector tips are melted and brittle. I was having a problem with detonation earlier and had to remove the catalytic converter because it had melted. I am still trying to figure out the cause of the detonation itself before I buy a new cat. The O2 sensor was clogged (it is original with 248 000kms). This could make then engine run rich leading to my horrible fuel economy. My engine was running hot before and I changed the radiator it was running upwards of 215-220 degrees. It now is running with a new original 195 stat at between 195-202. When the car is first started up, it has tons of power but about 10 minutes later it starts to lack in power (very noticeably). I am hoping that the new O2 sensor is going to take care of that. It seems when it goes into closed loop is when the power is lost. The odd time when I step on the gas (WOT) when the engine is hot it detonates a little (a chuckle from the engine that sounds like fuel combusting in the exhaust manifold on the left side of the engine).
Here is a picture of my coupler.
![](http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/11/web/431000-431999/431591_5_full.jpg)
The bearings in the supercharger itself seem alright.
Here is a picture of my O2 sensor. About time I think.
![](http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/11/web/431000-431999/431591_6_full.jpg)
Now the really horrible part!!! I am open to suggestions on this one. Replacing all six injectors with new ones seem like a really expensive option. I think they run about 60-70 bucks a piece!! The injector nozzels themselves are clean and in good shape and the car runs well. All the sparkplugs are buring well and are light brown. Is there any way to replace the plastic nozzel pieces. I remember running into this prblem when I worked for Ford. I used to break some once and a while while doing head gasjet jobs on the 3.8L. Anyone have some injectors kicking around that I could buy?
Here'* the pics, get ready to cringe!
![](http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/11/web/431000-431999/431591_7_full.jpg)
#3
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I would clean the injectors, put new o-rings on (kit from the dealer since you have to get the outlet gasket anyway), and re-install them. That O2 sensor looks rusted. Did you have a coolant leak at any time?
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I went for more parts today to the dealer and such. The one injector has a broken tip on it. I priced out new injectors and they come to $195 a piece!!!!!! I just need the new caps but they don't come seperate. I am just wonder how important those caps are anyway. They don't seal the intake or anything. Anyone have any suggestions. Are these injectors pretty standard amoung the GM3800s? I may have to go to a wrecker, I am at a loss. Could you imagine $1200 for new injectors....rediculous!!!
Coolant leak....nope. Can't honestly say about the owners before me. I got the car with 160 000km on it. I know the intake was changed, but other than that, I don't know.
The rattle was pretty good at idle but went away as soon as it was off idle. It does look a bit beat up though.
Coolant leak....nope. Can't honestly say about the owners before me. I got the car with 160 000km on it. I know the intake was changed, but other than that, I don't know.
The rattle was pretty good at idle but went away as soon as it was off idle. It does look a bit beat up though.
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Originally Posted by willwren
I would clean the injectors, put new o-rings on (kit from the dealer since you have to get the outlet gasket anyway), and re-install them. That O2 sensor looks rusted. Did you have a coolant leak at any time?
![](http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/11/web/431000-431999/431591_8_full.jpg)
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