2002 AWD V6: codes P0300, P0301, P0303

[MacTavish14]

Hello! Any advice possible on my problem is appreciated.

As the title suggests, I have an AWD 2002 Vue. It started shaking and chugging as I was pulling into work Monday night (5 days ago). The SES light was blinking, and then went solid. I was scared to drive it home, but I basically had to. I read the codes (P0300, P0301, and P0303) and see that they are multiple cylinder misfires, cylinder 1 misfire, and cylinder 3 misfire.

I reset the codes and restarted my car. Still rough, then the SES flashed, and now the SES light is one again. Same codes.

The car place I took it to (just a block away) says they think it's just the spark plugs, but that they're going to charge me at least $300 off the bat in labor because the spark plugs are so difficult to get to. On top of that, apparently the whole place is on vacation next week so they can't even put it on the schedule for them to fix it for over ten days.

Now I know the cowling isn't the greatest piece of plastic in the world, but I've removed it to replace the windshield washer nozzles. I don't personally think spark plugs are worth $300 in labor, and I have a friend who's willing to come help me with the spark plugs tomorrow.

Any advice? Is the car place FOS for labor? Should I try the place (further away--so now we're talking issues with driving it someplace) that just replaced my drive shaft bearing?

[Chazberry]

Originally Posted by MacTavish14

Any advice? Is the car place FOS for labor? Should I try the place (further away--so now we're talking issues with driving it someplace) that just replaced my drive shaft bearing?

It's more involved than your typical Plug change, but not beyond the shade tree mechanic. See this thread . . .
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=144817

You'll want to get the metal 3/8" Fuel Line Quick Connect tool.
Btw - how many mi. on this '02? Also, in your profile, change the 3.6 to 3.0L.

[MacTavish14]

I have 122K on the car.

[MacTavish14]

I just read that other linked post, and I definitely don't see $300 in labor. Sad to say, but I think that Pep Boys treat me better. If I can't fix it with my friend's help, I'll contact them.

[Chazberry]

Originally Posted by MacTavish14

I have 122K on the car.

Has it had the 100k mi. Maint. (Timing Belt, Water Pump, etc.)?
If this is the first time the Manifold is coming off, you also want to replace the T'stat and Cam Cover Gaskets . . .
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=201335

[MacTavish14]

Thank you immensely. That was going to be my next question: what else should be repaired/replaced if my car is being taken half apart?

[Chazberry]

Originally Posted by MacTavish14

Thank you immensely. That was going to be my next question: what else should be repaired/replaced if my car is being taken half apart?

One "Gotcha" on the T'stat . . . many folks wind up breaking the mounting tab on the T'stat Extension Pipe. It might be avoided by tightening that mounting bolt before torquing down the T'stat housing. Btw - this topside work can be done separately from the frontside TB and Water Pump.

[MacTavish14]

Okay, I'm at the point of wanting to punch my car (but I know the dent-resistant panels will just bite me back so I won't try).

Car place B (who's taken good care of my car in the last 4 months with a battery in rainy weather and giving me the heads up on--and fixing--a broken crankshaft bearing). Called me before they got the plenum off and said there's a hose that looks terrible, thinking replacing the hose would fix everything.

Then they called me after they replaced the hose and said it's making a new noise. We can't tell exactly where it's coming from, but we think it's around the throttle. If you get no codes with the fixed hose, great. If you get codes still, you'll want to take it to the dealer and ask them what's making that noise, and is it fixable.

For the record, 1 replaced hose, no coil packs, no spark plugs, no gasket, no fuel line flush.

About a mile away from the car place B, the car feels like the entire engine block is wiggling and the SES light is flashing. Get to work. After work, I driv it home and the SES is on solid/flashing/etc.

SAME CODES. Nothing new.

Chevy dealer (according to their website) is at least a half hour drive from here, getting closer to Philly. I don't trust driving my car that far on 4 cylinders. I don't even know 100% they're telling me to take it to a Chevy dealer since the 2002 is pre-GM anyway.

I wouldn't mind attempting to do anything to my car myself, but it's getting cold and I don't have a garage.

I will gladly take any suggestion you have on where to go from here.

[Chazberry]

Originally Posted by MacTavish14

Called me before they got the plenum off and said there's a hose that looks terrible, thinking replacing the hose would fix everything.

Then they called me after they replaced the hose and said it's making a new noise. We can't tell exactly where it's coming from, but we think it's around the throttle. If you get no codes with the fixed hose, great. If you get codes still, you'll want to take it to the dealer and ask them what's making that noise, and is it fixable.

So you don't know what hose? Might be the PCV hose. Did they take anything else apart to change that? What does this new noise sound like?

Originally Posted by MacTavish14

For the record, 1 replaced hose, no coil packs, no spark plugs, no gasket, no fuel line flush.

About a mile away from the car place B, the car feels like the entire engine block is wiggling and the SES light is flashing. Get to work. After work, I driv it home and the SES is on solid/flashing/etc.

Sounds like you need to address that Bank 1 misfire. If you pull the Manifold to change the Plugs, you might want to have a Coil Pack on hand - even if it's a JY part.