JJfly

I know some people have had similar issues with their SS as me. I've done some research and some of the threads i have read just left off what the solution ended up being. So, i'm still digging. I have a rough idle, a hesitation at what appears to be any throttle position and every few months i get random cylinder misfire codes. My ride has 105,000 on the clock and is completely stock.

I've had a mechanic look into it and he is doing the same thing i am doing... digging. I've read some discouraging posts about carbon build up. From what i have gathered, the only way to effectively remove the carbon is to disassemble the top end. A lot of work.

My car has new plugs, maf, #4 coil. I have not found any vacuum leaks.
Is there any other areas i should check into before committing to the carbon buildup theory? Is there any way to check if there is significant carbon buildup before disassembling the engine?

I miss my sweet running car...This has been going on for a year or so now. Someone please help. My wife wants me to sell our baby to the highest bidder.

843de

aboard!

An engine teardown isn't necessary to take a peek inside, see if your tech has access to a "borescope", it's a little fiber optic camera and light that can be inserted into the spark plug holes for a looksee.

If your tech doesn't have one, they can be rented.

Do you have a record of the OBD II trouble codes that were found, like the P0304 I'm suspecting lead to the work on cylnder #4.

Because of known head gasket/head cracking issues, a compression test and a check of the coolant for "products of combustion" would also seem warranted.

firemangeorge

I would suggest also doing a compression test.

JJfly

Excellent. Thanks you two. I forgot to mention that i'm missing a lot of top end power. Still seems torquey down low but fades on top.

Oldblue

this could be related to dirty throttle body butterfly, or loose wiring at the MAF or the TB.
can you please confirm the codes is it just P0304?

JJfly

Correct me if i am wrong but i don't believe we have TB on our SS's. I would have to check the log but i believe i've had 0300, 0301 and 0304. I will definitely check the MAF again. Thank you for your inputs Oldblue.

Oldblue

I am quite sure the SS would have a throttle body, somewhere at the intake manifold end of the tubing coming from the turbo.

donbrew

It would be difficult to control the RPM without a TB.

843de

Unless you're talking about a diesel, very true.

JJfly

Well for now, the only thing i have had time to do is run some octane booster thru. Wow that stuff works good. The first chance i get i'm going to get a camera and scope out the top end the best i can and also run a compression test. There's definitely something going on. Thanks so far for the help everyone.