LT1 Based Engine Tech 1993-1997 LT1/LT4 Engine Related

Car running rough at low rpm

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Old Apr 27, 2007 | 10:11 AM
  #1  
camarocrzy's Avatar
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Question Car running rough at low rpm

Im having a problem with my Z28 that just started this morning. Its like it runs real jerky, like the whole car shakes at low rpm's. It feels like a car thats starting to die,where the car starts shaking. The rpm gauge is reading fine. It's not fluxuating at all,no service engine lights,and oil pressure reads fine. It does it just when im coming to a stop. I tryed to explain the best i could. Can anyone help? Forgot to mention, i have a small oil leak from the valve cover ont the passenger side. Is it possible when my dad put some oil in,he put in too much? Would that cause the problem?

Last edited by camarocrzy; Apr 27, 2007 at 10:24 AM.
Old Apr 27, 2007 | 10:54 AM
  #2  
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Have you driven through any large puddles lately or changed your waterpump or thermostat? Can you hear any arcing? You could have an intermittent misfire condition, it would show the same symptoms you are describing. Also, you have a 94, which means non-vented opti-spark. Try making some WOT runs and see if the car jerks at all or missed during acceleration. You could have a burned or just old spark plug wire that likes to arc in high humidity.
Old Apr 27, 2007 | 03:49 PM
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sounds like your down a cylinder. What I would check is your while the car is running disconnect one at a time each injector to see which cylinder is not firing, if the engine doesn't change its idle you know then its that cylinder. then all you have to rule out is either spark or fuel issue
Old Apr 29, 2007 | 10:13 AM
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It runs fine when i give it some throttle. If it was misfiring wouldn't i get a service engine light? The plugs and wires were just changed about 5000 miles ago. It doesnt seem to have a power loss associated with being down a cylinder. I know the exhaust doesnt sound right either. It isnt a smooth sounding rumble like it was. Its the wierdest thing.
Old Apr 29, 2007 | 10:48 AM
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well if the exhaust sounds different then mabe its the catalytic converter.
Old Apr 29, 2007 | 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by camarocrzy
It runs fine when i give it some throttle. If it was misfiring wouldn't i get a service engine light? The plugs and wires were just changed about 5000 miles ago. It doesnt seem to have a power loss associated with being down a cylinder. I know the exhaust doesnt sound right either. It isnt a smooth sounding rumble like it was. Its the wierdest thing.
The OBD-I cars did not have misfire detection, so you wouldn't get an SES light if that was the case. You said the exhaust doesn't sound the same... are you sure there aren't any exhaust leaks, especially any before the 02 sensors?
Old Apr 30, 2007 | 10:27 AM
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It almost feels like one of the wires is fried but if that was the case wouldnt my car stall out? And it definetly is down on power.
Old Apr 30, 2007 | 11:06 AM
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Your missing on a cylinder..
Old Apr 30, 2007 | 04:14 PM
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wouldnt it be stalling out if i was down a cylinder?
Old Apr 30, 2007 | 04:21 PM
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Originally Posted by camarocrzy
wouldnt it be stalling out if i was down a cylinder?
On a v8 losing 1 cylinder? not likely, you still have 7 other cylinders firing just fine.
Old Apr 30, 2007 | 06:27 PM
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Nope. I had one plug wire not on a spark plug once and the engine ran fine idling, as soon as i got on it a bit though it was easily noticable something was wrong.
Old May 8, 2007 | 06:17 PM
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Sorry to bring up an old thread but i got my car fixed. It was a fried #6 plug wire. Pep-Boys did my plugs and wires last time and left it too close to the exhaust manifold. It cost me 270 dollars to get it fixed. I just wanted to replace the #6 wire since i just had them changed 6 month's ago. I guess he didnt hear me and i got taxed. But it runs as good as ever now.
Old Apr 1, 2011 | 12:35 PM
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Re: Car running rough at low rpm

I have a 92 RS with the 3.1 v6 and it is doing the same thing, right around 15 rpms is is really rough and shakes the whole car. It does almost feel and sound like im missing a cylinder, but at a higher rpm it sounds just fine. Im hoping its just plugs and wires but i havn't checked if its something more serious id really like to know
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