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Ya I also found some type of brown grain like brown sugar in the oil so I don't know. It seems to have gone away now however I still have a service engine soon light on it. Really a pain in the butt the car is. Hoping an oil change might fix it but I kinda doubt it. Really so far this thing hasn't been the best. We haven't even paid the first payment and it is giving us this many problems. So much for the 5.3L being such a dead reliable engine.
Trav
It isn't a CEL it is a service engine light. I guess it tells you when to change things like plugs and such.
I checked it all out again and I don't seem to be seeing anything right now so I guess it is alright. We drove it last night and it was fine but still had that light on. Really would like to get rid of that light to know it is going to be reliable the rest of the quirks (like the sun roof and tail gate) I don't care as much about.
Trav
According to the book their is a difference. It also shows that it must be an emissions problem. I don't have emissions up here so not sure what to do on this.
Trav
Yet another reason why I don't like computers in cars. If its telling you its the emissions system, the first thing I'd check would be the O2 sensors. I don't know nearly enough about those bowties to tell you much else.
Code read it as Kermmydog has mentioned. I remote read codes for my ex wife back in PA that she had read at autozone as to what they were and it was 600 bucks for the fan clutch to be replaced with labor on their Trailblazer as her new husband is not mechanically inclined. These are a PITA for repairs.
Only takes a minutes and the codes are readily available on the net. Do not trust a Haynes manual they some times have incorrect information.
And even if your not in a emissions testing area it is a violation of federal statute to operate the vehicle with the CEL illuminated. Also if the car is under 100K miles the emissions components (cats ans certain sensors) of the car may be still under warranty as this is also a federal law they the MFG has to warranty these components for longer that the implied warranty.
Greg, Computer controlled cars are easy to work on as they give you the exact fault or point you in the correct direction to trouble shoot. With the exception being GM cars, for some reason hunting grounds and faults in harness on these are a royal bitch with the MAF and other sub systems.
Ya I also found some type of brown grain like brown sugar in the oil so I don't know.
Sounds like a cash for clunkers engine.
The GM orange antifreeze will form brownish crystals in the oil if there is a small head or intake leak. Not enough to make the oil whitish grey but separate out on cooling.
My ex has put at least five grand in to it in repairs in the last three years. The transfer case engagement, fuel pump, clutch fan, ignition module and coil packs, and a rear axle bearing. If they did not have to pay payments on it i recommended to unload it ASAP.
I have the same GM philosophy as you, i won't own any.