I Give Up, Need GN Guru Mechanic

[Buzzp]

I am having trouble with my ignition system. Car has no power and it feels like a misfire. Changed coil pack, module, did spring cleaning, changed plugs, wires, injector harness, also changed injectors, ECM, new TT matched chip, I checked the FP but not while driving. Car smokes occasionally but not all the time. Sometimes not at all. I checked the cam sensor also and set it again at 25 deg before TDC. Oil and coolant look clean and also did a compression test and got 135psi to 140 psi in each. I also removed the turbo to check it and there is some play in the wheel but it has not touched the sides. Both wheels spin freely and I did a test blower on the exhaust inlet side and the wheel whinned up and spun freely. i guess that means the turbo is ok?? Turbo makes no boost while driving around and i do not here it at all. I also inserted the blower from shop vac on the downpie and the air flowed smoothly out the tailpipes for whatever that is worth. Can I have a blown head gasket??? I need help now and have gone as far as I could except for changing the fuel pump. Could that cause no boost and sound like a misfire??? Anyway, is there a guru GN Mechanic in the area of central or northern NJ, or even around Orange County NY area?

[chrisgarrett]

You sound like you know what you're doing. I'm certainly no guru but a couple simple things come to mind:
1. Double check that your plug wires are in the correct order.
2. Was your #1 at TDC when you set the cam sensor?
3. Check the status of your crank sensor.

[Buzzp]

Yes. I checked the wires and they appear to be in the correct order according to diagram and also numbering on coil pack. I followed the directions on setting the cam sensor and actually had it set to 25 degrees before TDC (1.45" left of notch and lined up that mark with the 0 degree pointer on the plastic dohickie thingamabob). I back probed and locked it down when the voltage dropped from 7 to .04. I would assume the cam sensor is working if it is indicating the voltage drop when the window passes through the cap sensor.

[kenmosher]

So ... the cam sensor is now set for 25 ATDC (on the compression stroke)?

If so, I'd start looking at maybe a wiped lobe on the cam.

[Electrajim]

What coil pack and module brand did you replace it with?
Did anything change when you did that?

Do you have any scantool readings?

If you DO need a mechanic, be sure he knows or has turbo Buicks!!!

ElectraJim

[PaCemkr86]

what intercooler are you using? and do you have a cat converter on the car?

[Buzzp]

I replaced it with a delco coil pack and module. No change. The intercooler is stock, I do not know about the cat. I have limited tools and do not have a scan tool. I still have not done a leakdown test since I do not have the proper tools and need to get some or bring it to someone. But like i mentioned, I checked the oil - clean, the coolant -clean, did compression - ok, also took the radiator cap off when cool and started the car and there were no bubbles or coolant bubbling out of the opening while running. I looked at it again yesterday and when the car is started, it sounds great and runs fine. After about a minute or so when warming up, it will shake very slightly. I will then rev it up with no hesitation, but then it will start smoking, a greyish smoke with maybe a slight bluish. I am thinking it is the turbo??? I am not making any boost while reving or even driving it around. I took the turbo off and it looks ok. No blades broken, spins, but with some decent amount of shaft play and I found a little bit of oil in the turbo side exit where it goes into the intercooler. Could it be a bad or blown turbo. I bought the car this way off of ebay and when I got it it had major hesitation and would idle very very rough. After changing the injectors, coil pack, etc and a new chip, I got it to start and idle fine but now I have no power, no boost, and some smoking.

[Keller]

Trying to diagnose even the smallest issue without a scan tool is madness. They are really necessary.

I'd suggest calling Ron's or whatever they're called now. Pretty sure their info is still the same.

305 S Michigan Ave
Kenilworth, NJ 07033
(908) 241-7211

[Paul]

Hope he posts the results. My money is it wasn't on compression stroke.

[87GNNH]

check ur waste gate actuator..