Tomorrow is "D" day, and I'm not sure which way I want it to go...
- Thread starter Don M
- Start date
98CayenneTA
Member
- Aug 23, 2020
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Don't recall you saying you were getting a second opinion....
I asked a couple times maybe third time is a charm.... what were the CEL codes specifically?
oneheadlite
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- Aug 20, 2015
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Modern cars are all sealed up, and all air is accounted for. Like TA mentioned, the crankcase is typically run under a slight vacuum, so there can be a situation where the seal allows air to be pulled in but oil does not come out.
On one Audi engine the way the seal is bonded to the cover this can happen (not a press in lip seal; the seal delaminates from the cover allowing an air leak); though on most of the cars typically if the engine is pulling air past the crankshaft seal (typically noticeable due to the whistle noise it causes), it's usually a result of a malfunctioning breather causing excessive crankcase vacuum.
Modern cars can also be tricky where you get mixture faults caused not by an air leak, but by "stretched" (worn) timing chain/s or broken guides (Mini, I'm looking at you...).
Desertnate
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- Aug 5, 2013
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but often when there are a series of codes thrown, the actual problem might not actually be related to the title assigned to any of the codes you see.
I remember a time when we had a car with a CEL. We pulled codes and 2~3 showed up. When it was diagnosed at the shop, the problem turned out to be not related to ANY of the actual codes. Instead there was some other dark magic translator the mechanics used which let them know that when certain pair/combinations of codes showed up it was actually a totally different problem. If you tried to treat the codes at face value, you'd never fix the actual problem.
dcjredline
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- Mar 26, 2012
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Looks like we are just gonna get the drama part of the story and NOT the freaking codes to be able to actually help someone. I dont understand why come here and not reply to people who are trying to help them. UGH.
On another note OP BATTERY LIFE IS NOT 2-3 YEARS "in modern cars" that is total crap. You could be having a battery problem and the CODES would help us determine if that is a possibility but a battery will more than likely last longer than 2 freaking years. LOL That is total hog wash whoever told you that.
2black1s
New member
- Jan 23, 2015
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When I hear "vacuum leak", my first inclination is a leak in the intake system, not crankcase pressure/vacuum.
oneheadlite
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- Aug 20, 2015
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Rightly so. I should have added that the breather system is tied into the intake (that's what I meant by all sealed up - all air entering and exiting the engine is monitored and accounted for by MAP/MAF/O2 Sensors), thus how a crank seal pulling air can cause a lean mixture reading. All the marques I work on tend to use a breather system that regulates crankcase pressure (vacuum) with a spring loaded rubber diaphragm; when that diaphragm tears you're now pulling unmetered air and the car can tell. Alternately the breather can stick, apply intake vacuum to the crankcase thus drawing a much greater vacuum than it's designed for which causes air to whistle past the crank seals. (Spring loaded lip seal prevents oil from pushing out, but that means the one way door can let air go in).
oneheadlite
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You're absolutely right.
BMW's will set a "Charge Pressure Shutoff" fault if they have a fault related to variable valve timing (or other issues). The problem's not something causing low boost, it's the car preserving itself by switching off the turbo (so to speak).
As mentioned, Minis for some reason will set mixture faults not camshaft correlation faults when the intake cam's outta time.
Can't tell you how many E46's would come to us from gas stations/DIY'ers that had all the O2 sensors replaced that actually had a leak in the intake system (variable intake manifold valve, crankcase breather line open, etc). The fault description started with O2 Sensor, but on further reading (or with the correct tool) it would say Monitoring, Mixture too Lean.
It's hard when customers don't understand there's a difference between pulling codes and diagnosing a car.
Don M
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- Jan 8, 2010
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- Thread starter
- #29
Could I get a little slack guys, please?
To make a long story short: In early August, I had a run in with a supervisor who by all rights has nothing to say to me about my job. First he TOLD ME he was stalking me on Facebook, in order to "Keep track of what you're up to." Then after I file a complaint, he came to me TWICE, berating me about HOW I do my job improperly and proceeds to tell me how HE thinks it should be done. Combine that with the fact that I have been working mandatory 12 hour shifts with varying days off for about a year, with NO chance of taking vacation & calling off sick is not an option.
On September 30th, I had an appointment with my Dr and told him about the issues at work. Without even blinking, he told me he's taking me off work for medical reasons for October. Even after being on 'vacation' for almost 3 weeks now, from the way things are looking, November is also going to be a Dr-ordered non work month.
A few days after I was put on leave, I had the original appointment to have the car checked, which resulted in all the drama rearing its head. Needless to say, MY head is nowhere in the game, so I didn't question the first shop or find out what codes they pulled when diagnosing the car's issues. I had no idea where to turn for a 2nd opinion, until I contacted my Camaro Club, so it took a few days for them to recommend a shop they believe can help me decipher all this mess. But the earliest appointment was on the 24th, nearly 3 weeks away. I did contact the shop after making the appointment, asking him to let me know if there were any cancellations between now and then and that if needed, the car could sit there a few days since I won't need it until November at the earliest.
That's how I got it in on the 18th instead of the 24th, with the understanding that it could be a few days before he could actually get to the car. I also contacted him earlier today and asked that he text me whatever codes he pulls when he gets to the car and he said absolutely. So I'm just waiting to hear what codes he finds so I can pass on the information. As soon as I know anything, you guys will know next.
I'm scheduled to retire March 31st, 2023, just over 5 months from now, and that's all I've been trying to do. It's seriously looking like work is trying to make me quit before then, so they don't have to pay their portion of my retirement - I would NOT put it past them to try that.
Wish you strength Don.
Not sure this will help but I’m going to share anyway just in case it does in some small way. I know easier said than done but remember that stress is an internal reaction to external stimuli. I used to manage a consulting team and our client was incredibly difficult. He said he liked contractors because he could get rid of them whenever he wanted. The consulting lead I took over for actually had a nervous breakdown due to this client. When I took over, I tried to reduce the stress with varying degrees of success until two things happened. One of my consulting teammates had his house burn down. And then a month or so later, a friend of many years that was on my consulting team had his daughter die when she was hit by a teenage driver while she was riding her bike. That client never bothered me again because nothing that happened on a day to day basis mattered like what my friends went through. Hard to see it now but a favorite saying of mine is “this too shall pass.”
Not sure this will help but I’m going to share anyway just in case it does in some small way. I know easier said than done but remember that stress is an internal reaction to external stimuli. I used to manage a consulting team and our client was incredibly difficult. He said he liked contractors because he could get rid of them whenever he wanted. The consulting lead I took over for actually had a nervous breakdown due to this client. When I took over, I tried to reduce the stress with varying degrees of success until two things happened. One of my consulting teammates had his house burn down. And then a month or so later, a friend of many years that was on my consulting team had his daughter die when she was hit by a teenage driver while she was riding her bike. That client never bothered me again because nothing that happened on a day to day basis mattered like what my friends went through. Hard to see it now but a favorite saying of mine is “this too shall pass.”
For my friend’s daughter, I agree, that is beyond comprehension. But no offense, I’d rather my house burn down (everyone safe) than have to deal with long term torment that you’ve dealt with. The old rip the bandaid off so it doesn’t hurt too long. Having to experience what you’ve been dealing with for years is a form of torture and no one should have to deal with that. You seem to be taking action and I hope soon you will own the narrative to complete the story the way you wish. May your book have a great ending!
David