VP Fault Code 13, Car shuddering and Vibrating at idle

[FrangaVP]

The car shudders and vibrates at idle, and the vibration is quite bad even inside the car. Even when I have the car running with the bonnet open I can feel the vibration through the bonnet.

Anyway I did the paper clip test I got error code 13 which is apparently the O2 sensor so I dont really know where to go from here, is the O2 sensor just buggered or is it a symptom of another problem?

Thanks in advance.
Taz

[Cheap6]

Sounds like an engine misfiring on a cylinder or two with the uncombusted oxygen registering on the O2 sensor. It is most likely a 'plug or lead but possibly a coil, less likely an engine mechanical fault.

[FrangaVP]

Sounds like an engine misfiring on a cylinder or two with the uncombusted oxygen registering on the O2 sensor. It is most likely a 'plug or lead but possibly a coil, less likely an engine mechanical fault.

Thanks for the advice, I'll replace the plugs and leads and see how I go. Also the vibration more or less dissappears once I get past 1500rpm, would it still be a plug, lead or coils?

[Cheap6]

If it goes away with engine load that points towards an inlet manifold vacuum leak, otherwise it still could be ignition. It should be obvious where a vacuum leak is from if there's a really noticeable misfire.

[88GreenVN]

Check all the vacuum hoses around the throttle body and engine. It may be a little hose with a split in it.

If it's not missfiring under load it probably wont be the plugs or leads.

The o2 fault code may only be because of a vac leak and getting the wrong readings.

[TheIceman]

yeah and also check to make sure the brake booster diaprham isnt split causing air to enter thorugh that.

[FrangaVP]

Hey guys, I just did the once over looking for holes or splits in the Vacuum lines and I think I may of found a small little nick in one, here's a picture of roughly where it is.


Or maybe this hose is lose here (pic below)


Also I found a completely shagged hose for what looks to be some sort of fuel line, its on the top of the engine to the right hand side toward the back just before the throttle body sort of area. Here's a pic.

if you guys could let me know what i'm looking at that would be great i'm still very much a car noob especially with Commodores.

Thanks for the help

[TheIceman]

get a bucket of water and throw over it, if its an external manifold leak or something where the water goes it will temporarily plug the leak and suck water in making it run smooth again. ive done this succesfully with several cars, failed with many more also.

[zskinner]

hey mate, that first pic im not 100% sure but im pretty sure its a vacuum hose (or maybe a fuel hose). if the 2nd pic is what i think it is (is it the small "S" shaped hose connecting the throttle body to your intake manifold?) than thats definately worth replacing (you can still buy this particular hose and the clamps from holden i believe). and the 3rd pic is a fuel line going to your fuel rail. personally i would just replace them all (even if you go to the wreckers and buy some from there that look ok). anyway mate hope i helped a little, good luck with it

[FrangaVP]

UPDATE
------------------
Worry no more my fine brethren, it is in fact a buggered head gasket. Milky residue on oil cap and boiling away coolant, my brother the mechanic confirmed it . So one mystery solved, one massive problem discovered. Regardless thank you all for your advice and help its much appreciated.

[TheIceman]

geez, you must have cooked it nicely to blow a head gasket in a V6, them things are bullet proof. only blown headgaskets ive ever seen in V6's have been due to over heating. blown head gasket didnt even enter my mind for a V6.

Thanks for the advice, I'll replace the plugs and leads and see how I go. Also the vibration more or less dissappears once I get past 1500rpm, would it still be a plug, lead or coils?

plugs should have been the tell tale sign when replaced, you would have seen differences.

[FrangaVP]

geez, you must have cooked it nicely to blow a head gasket in a V6, them things are bullet proof. only blown headgaskets ive ever seen in V6's have been due to over heating. blown head gasket didnt even enter my mind for a V6.



plugs should have been the tell tale sign when replaced, you would have seen differences.

Thats the strange thing, its never over heated at least not while i've owned it. The temperature gauge has never even got past half, unless the temperature gauge is faulty hrmm.

[TheIceman]

ahh, no i was wrong, i have seen a blown head gasket on a V6, this was due to a crappy after market head gasket put on it when it had an engine rebuild.
it was in a taxi, done a million km's, had a engine rebuild with cheapie gasket set, done 50k then blew a head gasket without overheating it. always use genuine gaskets.

[FrangaVP]

ahh, no i was wrong, i have seen a blown head gasket on a V6, this was due to a crappy after market head gasket put on it when it had an engine rebuild.
it was in a taxi, done a million km's, had a engine rebuild with cheapie gasket set, done 50k then blew a head gasket without overheating it. always use genuine gaskets.

Thats probably the case, the people I bought the car off of said the head gasket had just been replaced (that was about 10,000kms ago now). Considering how dodgy they were it was probably the crappy aftermarket kind.