chazglenn3 Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Well, I finally decided to do some maintenance today on my STS. I got some Dex-Cool to replace the green coolant in the system, a set of AC-Delco spark plugs, and a set of wires (OEM) that were "take-offs". I stopped by both Wal-Mart and Schuck's Auto, but neither had the Bar's Leak gold powder, so I wound up at my local Caddy dealer for a set of pellets. Got the coolant changed (as much as possible, anyway) and set out to change the plugs and wires. The previous owner had installed a set of Bosch non-platinum plugs!!! So, I change all the plugs and wires, put it back together, start it up, and darn!!! Wicked misfire and PC0300. I assume the "take off" wires might have a problem. Got tired of working on it for the day, so will try to put the old wires back on tomorrow. Hopefully I didn't ruin them by removing them. I bought the wires on eBay, so I'll probably have to eat the cost of them. Charles Charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Charles, check the wires with an ohm meter if you have a mis that bad it should show itself.. Secondly, if you used dialectic grease on OEM wires, the wires are impregnated with grease already and the manual cautions against using it, as it could cause a mis-fire. I assume that you did one ignition wire at a time and there was no way to mix up the firing order... Make sure all plug wires are fully seated.. I assume you properly gapped the plugs.. Let us know how this turns out, Mike Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Well, I finally decided to do some maintenance today on my STS. I got some Dex-Cool to replace the green coolant in the system, a set of AC-Delco spark plugs, and a set of wires (OEM) that were "take-offs". I stopped by both Wal-Mart and Schuck's Auto, but neither had the Bar's Leak gold powder, so I wound up at my local Caddy dealer for a set of pellets. Got the coolant changed (as much as possible, anyway) and set out to change the plugs and wires. The previous owner had installed a set of Bosch non-platinum plugs!!! So, I change all the plugs and wires, put it back together, start it up, and darn!!! Wicked misfire and PC0300. I assume the "take off" wires might have a problem. Got tired of working on it for the day, so will try to put the old wires back on tomorrow. Hopefully I didn't ruin them by removing them. I bought the wires on eBay, so I'll probably have to eat the cost of them. Charles Charles, Replacing green coolant with Dex-Cool does not make sense. Furthermore, the silicates from the old coolant will deplit the anticorrosion inhibitors in Dex-Cool . Keep it green. The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chazglenn3 Posted August 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Thanks for the quick reply, Mike! I did not use any grease on the wires. I did them all at once, but didn't worry about it since they were all numbered. I did go back and check that they were all seated properly and routed correctly before I gave up for the day. I will check the wires tomorrow. Wonder if one of the new plugs is bad? The rear set of wires were a little tough to get in, but as far as I can tell they seated. All the plugs were right at .050 out of the box. I wasn't aware that once the system was filled with green coolant that you should keep it that way. I thought I read that you still have to change it at 2 yrs/24000 miles, but to use DEX. Charles Charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 When you say you did them all at once, do you mean that you took them all off and just followed the numbers on the coils (if you have them numbered) and wires. I would be careful with that method, I have seen coils be changed and swapped and the numbering is off.. Do you have the FSM for reference? I only change ONE wire at a time. You measured the gap on each plug? The gaps can change in shipping. Make sure that you did not disturb an injector connection, its not easy to do but check. Don't let any ignition wires run parallel to the injector wires, cross them at 90 degree angles. I would check each wire's resistence to see if any appear wacky first. Wires can be damaged if they are pulled by the wire. It is possible that you have a cracked plug, but its not likely, but we have seen cracked plugs before. Did all plugs feel as if they seated properly? I have not changed plugs on a NS yet, but I know they are deep, I personally will need a new spark plug socket that holds the plug firmly.. If you dropped a plug while installing it, did you recheck the gap? Let us know what you find, I am sure you will turn up something.. Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Thanks for the quick reply, Mike! I did not use any grease on the wires. I did them all at once, but didn't worry about it since they were all numbered. I did go back and check that they were all seated properly and routed correctly before I gave up for the day. I will check the wires tomorrow. Wonder if one of the new plugs is bad? The rear set of wires were a little tough to get in, but as far as I can tell they seated. All the plugs were right at .050 out of the box. I wasn't aware that once the system was filled with green coolant that you should keep it that way. I thought I read that you still have to change it at 2 yrs/24000 miles, but to use DEX. Charles I would keep using DexCool - even though you will need to change it every two years. The waterpump seal will last much longer and the corrosion inhibitors are better in the DexCool. Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chazglenn3 Posted August 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 Mike; I did drop a couple of plugs...I'll recheck them. I was also thinking that maybe the coil was numbered incorrectly. The only reason I changed all the wires at once, was that they were already neatly bundled and installed in wire holders. I have a FSM, I'll get the books and my toolbox out later this afternoon and let you guys know what I turn up. Kevin; Thanks! That is what I thought would be the best course of action with the coolant. Charles Charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted August 30, 2006 Report Share Posted August 30, 2006 I would keep using DexCool - even though you will need to change it every two years. The waterpump seal will last much longer and the corrosion inhibitors are better in the DexCool. I agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chazglenn3 Posted August 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Update...I had the #6 and #8 wires mixed up at the cylinders. The front bank wires aren't numbered like the rear bank wires. Numbers 6 and 8 crossed over each other inside one of the plastic conduits, and I hadn't noticed. New problem though...I started it up and went inside to wash my hands to take a test drive. When I climbed back in, the temp gauge at at about 3/4 sweep and shortly after that "Engine Hot - AC Off" appeared on the DIC. So I shut the car down and am waiting for it to cool. I hope I didn't put the thermostat back in backwards or something when I was putting the supplement tabs in the hose. Charles Charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadillac Jim Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 It almost certainly has air in the system; that's almost impossible to avoid when you drain any of the coolant and refill. The worst thing you can do after draining and refilling any or all of the coolant is to start it and let it idle without watching it. You need some RPMs to push the air through the bypass before it warms up so that the thermostat can see the hot water by the time it needs to. It's probably nothing. You are doing the right thing -- let it cool completely and do your test drive in the morning. Top it off with 50/50 DexCool before you start it. When you're done, let it cool down again and top it off with 50/50 DexCool one last time to replace any air that was trapped in the system. -- Click Here for CaddyInfo page on "How To" Read Your OBD Codes-- Click Here for my personal page to download my OBD code list as an Excel file, plus other Cadillac data -- See my CaddyInfo car blogs: 2011 CTS-V, 1997 ETC Yes, I was Jims_97_ETC before I changed cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chazglenn3 Posted August 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Will do...thanks Jim! Charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted August 31, 2006 Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Glad you solved the mis problem.... Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chazglenn3 Posted August 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2006 Another update...everything is operating as designed! I had to drive and top off the surge tank a couple of times, but it has finally stabilized. Thank you all for your help. Now, I just need to budget some time and money to get my oil leak fixed (and maybe the lifter). Charles Charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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