VE 2009 SIDI Misfire after Oil Change, Air Filter Change and Throttle Body Clean

[u8285761]

Hey Guys,

Any thoughts you might have would be appreciated.

Problem.
1. Car was due for a new oil change (I do them after 5k)
2. Went to a recommended mechanic (hmmm)
3. New Mechanic did the following: Oil change (Penrite; Changed the Air Filter; Cleaned the Throttle Body.

1 Week later I'm getting error codes for misfire on all cylinders. - not a happy chappy- car was running prefect before hand.

Replaced all coils (Genuine ones) and all sparks plugs (NGK) but now still getting misfire on cylinders 2 and 5 and also random misfire.

Filled up the tank with BP ultimate and placed injection cleaner in it and went on the motorway, but got the dreaded limp mode.

The misfire seems to happen when trying to give it some welly I.e. putting the foot to the floor.....

Have booked into Holden, but from reading this forum, they don't seem to have a lot of confidence in their integrity.....

any thoughts on what the problem could be (MAF sensor; o2 sensor; injectors? Any leaks?

Also, I can confirm the sparks can be replaced without replacing the intake manifold which was a bonus.

Also, I was initially quoted 800 for the coils and 120 for the sparks - I ended getting the coils for $375.00 (yes all 6 of the bad boys) and the sparks for $90.00

(Holden actually quoted me around 1400.00 including labour - ouch)


Links for the coils
Genuine Holden Ignition Coil SET OF 6 Commodore VZ VE Crewman VZ Warranty | eBay

Link for the Sparks
NGK Iridium Spark Plugs Commodore VE V6 09 2009 Onwards ILTR6E11 X 6 | eBay

 

[u8285761]

Well - went to Holden, whom, to be fair, after I told them of the problem and after they took the car out and getting the misfire codes also got a throttle body learn error code. My OBD2 scanner didn't show this code during my misfires out and about but, after dropping off the car and having the Throttle body reset its purrrrring like a beauty!!!!

Deduction - first mechanic didn't reset the throttle body correctly after it was cleaned and cost me 1.2k (my car went into limp mode in the cross city tunnel; the breakdown unit for the tunnel whom picked me up damaged the left brake cable and the new coils and sparks - last time I take someone's word saying they use a good mechanic.

Will keep an eye on the car, but have been out and about it in for the last few days and all good.

Impressed with the lads from Parramatta Holden!

 

[UFO]

Sorry to hear about the cost, but thanks for taking the time to update your post.
Could help someone in the future (and save them a lot of money and trouble).
:beer chug:

 

[u8285761]

Happy to post updates and save someone else a tonne of money; cause now I've truly had enough.

Only a few days later same problem; misfire and pulled over (lucky I have a scan tool).

Went back and had valves cleaned. Quite a lot of build up. Picked the car up and drove to work no problems; next day same problem; check engine light and misfires.

Taking back to garage on Monday.

 

[u828576]

Update: Vehicle still not fixed and has been with Holden since the end of August 2015; Has had the following done and would appreciate any advice, especially if anything testing you can think of is missing (should there be some electrical testing of some sorts or is that covered in the list?).

Also, could a Throttle body clean done badly cause engine problems?

Was told today that a second compression test found that cylinder 4 had dropped to 90 PSI (hmmm not totally sure what that means), so TAC have advised the dealer to do it again as well as a wet and dry test. They seem to think the valves could be a problem, although given it happened straight after the other mechanic touched it, is it normal for this kind of failure?

- Throttle body relearn
- Compression test
- Fuel sample
- Fuel pressure test
- Filled with our fuel (to rule out bad fuel)
- Cleaned out airflow meter
- Top engine valve clean (4 times)
- Replaced inlet manifold gasket
- Replaced throttle body with a known good one from our loan car
- Replaced crank angle sensor with a known good one from our loan car
- Removed spark plugs inspect for cracks, burns mark, regaped and cleaned
- Manifold leak down test
- Reset ECU
- Reset fuel trims
- Rtested multiple times on long distances


Cheers,

 

[Capsule]

A bad battery could cause ECU problems, I'm surprised they didn't test that

 

[u828576]

Surprised indeed; well, not any more.

I really did want to give Holden the benefit of the doubt, but still this misfiring problem will not go away and neither will Holden's willingness to admit they have no idea what is causing it but still want to grab my money.

The Camshaft Position Actuator Solenoid was changed but still didn't fix the problem or the changed battery that the dealer wrecked.

What's interesting is that if you kill the engine after the misfire and restart, most times the MIL light goes off. On one occasion I let the engine run after the misfire and the mil light went off itself after around 4-5 mins..

Also found out that the independent mechanic put HPR 5 5W-40 Penrite oil in (even though I asked for the manufacturer recommended)

Did you know as a taxpayer we pay around 180 million to Holden each year - that's roughly just over 2k each person per year.

What is also worrying is that all the independent mechanics or former mechanics I talk with all say the same thing: these engines are terrible and known for problems.

If anyone else has a suggestion, that would be appreciated.

Would a faulty common coil earth on the side of each cylinder head possibly cause this?

 

[u828576]

Finally solved the problem.

1) It really does make a difference which Holden garage you goto in my opinion and I also believe that not all garages have the same level of technical experience, despite what Holden Customer Care advice, whom were also not helpful in explaining why the problem occurred. The original garage I went to would not have been able to perform the required diagnostic that eventually solved my problem - which was done in less than 4 hours at the right garage.

I took it to Hunter Holden whom have a very, very good diagnostician, whom was also recommended to me by one of NSW top EFI Specialists - was also impressed with their customer service too; they are exceptionally busy as well.

They had the car for less than half a day and solved the problem. The ECU was not performing on I think 2 of the cylinders; so they hot swapped the ECU and got the same diagnostic readings.

Although I was not told why the computer was causing this fault ie I had to replace the complete ECU (ouch) but at least I know the symptom if not the reason.

Car running like new, so I kept it for a while and have now sold it. Wont be buying a Holden ever again.