water temp maxing out..oil temp on second mark after 215 degrees after front end bottoming out

[gmhowe]

96 CE, was with my daughter yesterday and while making a left turn the front bottomed out on something really hard. Never made that loud of a sound before so while driving back home to look at what damage was done my Oil pressure was about 50 lbs while driving, the Oil Temp was at the second mark after the 215 degrees ( never has been that high before ) and water temp was very close to maxing out ( it was only 101 degrees here in Phoenix, so the heat wasn't a real issue ). No other things but after looking under the front end this morning It seems that something is missing besides my wire screen to keep crap from the radiators. Will probably take it to the dealer Monday to have them check it out, but was just wondering any ideas as to what is jacked with the temps getting so high ? No leaks anywhere.
Thanx in advance
Gordon

 

[LLC5]

Make sure the radiator and condenser fans are working properly and that there is no debris blocking air flow across either of them.


Are all the fluids at the proper levels?

 

[gmhowe]

Yes all fluids are at proper levels, you mentioned "condenser" fans. Where are they located at. I cannot find them listed at all in the FSM. Only fan I have ever seen in it is the one right behind the radiator.

 

[gmhowe]

Will be taking the 85 vette back to where the 96 bottomed out tomorrow to see if I can find things from the front end that seemed to disappeared after the bottoming out. All I can see when I look up under the front end is the 2 radiators ( guess one is for the Tranny cooling ) seems to be missing some sort of cross member thing due to the fact that on the passenger side is a square piece of plastic which seems to be missing whatever was attached to it.

 

[LLC5]

Yes all fluids are at proper levels, you mentioned "condenser" fans. Where are they located at. I cannot find them listed at all in the FSM. Only fan I have ever seen in it is the one right behind the radiator.

I am not 100% familiar with a '96, I would have to see it. Usually there are 2 fans behind the radiator, one is normally called a radiator fan and the other a condenser fan and they are usually controlled to operate at slow ang high speeds.

 

[gmhowe]

I am more concerned about what came off from the bottom of the front end, I thought I remember the 2 radiators being in a tray at the bottom of them. But not there is nothing there just the bottom of the 2 radiators.

 

[gmhowe]

Rechecked everything this am and decided to take it back to see if I could see anything that fell off when it bottomed out. Car ran fine Oil was 215 where its usually is water was between the 185 and next mark, found no parts and was coming home and went on the freeway for about a mile and things started climbing again Oil was between 215 and next mark and water started climbing back to the third mark ( last one before 260 mark ). So I think sumthing is still messed up and will take it in tomorrow. Both fans were working,

 

[gmhowe]

Took it in and looks like things are worse than I thought. I lost the tray that us under the 2 radiators, crushed part of the oil cooler and pushed the radiators up and back a bit. They took it to the body shop to see what needs to be done to fix that stuff so now just waiting and driving the 85 4+ 3 Metallic vette till the 96 gets fixed, possibly about $2k or more.

 

[gmhowe]

So when I went to pick up the car, there it is in the pick up spot running and the service engine lite is on. They took it back and basically cleared the code and brought it back. I drove it for about 10 miles and the lite came back on same code P0336. They actually checked it out this time and replace the crankshaft sensor. Didn't clear the code but left the new parts ( $300 ) in and not putting my old one back. Then they replaced the opti spark ( Distributor ) that didn't clear it either then they replaced the ECM that didin't clear it either. So now the are thinking a stretched timing chain ( go figure ) I have not been billed for anything after the crankshaft sensor. ( Must have been the really nasty emails I got from them asking about how my visit with them went ) so now I just think they are trying to find something that they can just fix it and finally get more money from me. I guess if you keep throwing paint at the wall it will eventually get done. so its still at the shop been over a month now.

 

[LLC5]

So when I went to pick up the car, there it is in the pick up spot running and the service engine lite is on. They took it back and basically cleared the code and brought it back. I drove it for about 10 miles and the lite came back on same code P0336. They actually checked it out this time and replace the crankshaft sensor. Didn't clear the code but left the new parts ( $300 ) in and not putting my old one back. Then they replaced the opti spark ( Distributor ) that didn't clear it either then they replaced the ECM that didin't clear it either. So now the are thinking a stretched timing chain ( go figure ) I have not been billed for anything after the crankshaft sensor. ( Must have been the really nasty emails I got from them asking about how my visit with them went ) so now I just think they are trying to find something that they can just fix it and finally get more money from me. I guess if you keep throwing paint at the wall it will eventually get done. so its still at the shop been over a month now.

What shop is doing this, a GM dealer or independent?

 

[gmhowe]

Sands Chevrolet in Glendale, az I only went back to them after them practically begging me to come back so they could "Make it right" after the first screw ups. Don't think I will take it back to them for anything after this FUBAR

 

[LLC5]

Since you got a free opti spark from them, are they offering do the timing chain for free also to get rid of the code?

If this happened after your accident, I'd be looking at harness condition/damage and pin fit connections.

 

[gmhowe]

So after the timing chain wasn't the issue they are bring in someone to alter the software in the computer to get rid of the code, christ what a nightmare. Been without it for over 6 weeks, but enjoying driving the 85' manual as the daily car more.

 

[LLC5]

So after the timing chain wasn't the issue they are bring in someone to alter the software in the computer to get rid of the code, christ what a nightmare. Been without it for over 6 weeks, but enjoying driving the 85' manual as the daily car more.

Your post makes it sound like someone is going to alter the PCM so it will not turn on the CEL when it sees a code P0336 event. I hope I read the wrong, if I didn't then do not let them do it. Your vehicle will never be the same. That code is in your PCM for a reason and it needs to be fixed properly. Period.

 

[gmhowe]

Called them this am and told them not to mess with the computer and put it back together and I will figure something out. But how to get rid of the code since when I have to do emissions next year it will immediately fail since there is an outstanding code.
G

 

[LLC5]

Called them this am and told them not to mess with the computer and put it back together and I will figure something out. But how to get rid of the code since when I have to do emissions next year it will immediately fail since there is an outstanding code.
G

Yes, you will fail emissions with a CEL on. I would get all the old parts back from the dealer, especially the PCM, and find a specialist in your area, for your vehicle, to diagnose it.

 

[gmhowe]

Went to pick up the car ( with code still set ) and started it up and it was running rough as hell, drove it about 1/2 mile down the road and it sounded like it wasn't running on all cyclinders and at a stop sign noticed smoke and the smell of burnt oil. turned around and brought it back. Funny they said it wasn't running like that yesterday. So now it's back in their court. No charge for the parts the replaced trying to fix the code and no charge for the 30+ hours of labor. just waiting to see what they say this time.
G

 

[gmhowe]

ok so 2 weeks ago after the running on at least 4 or so cylinders they are now waiting on a fuel injector wiring harness. Asked how that could happen and he said "we fix one thing and then 20 other things go wrong". Man I will have practically a new 96 collectors edition by the etime they are finished if they ever get it finished, these guys have put more into the car then it's currently worth.

 

[LLC5]

ok so 2 weeks ago after the running on at least 4 or so cylinders they are now waiting on a fuel injector wiring harness. Asked how that could happen and he said "we fix one thing and then 20 other things go wrong". Man I will have practically a new 96 collectors edition by the etime they are finished if they ever get it finished, these guys have put more into the car then it's currently worth.

Make sure that they have ohm'd all the injectors an that ALL of them are in spec.

 

[gmhowe]

Well got the car finally back on Friday, running real good but still have the DAMN code. I have till November to get rid of it before emissions testing which will fail if I still have the code