nortstar engine

[alanlcole]

i have a 1998 sts front wheel right hand drive with 4.6 northstar 32 valve engine that is smoking profusely enough so you cannot see across the yard is showing low oil pressure and runs like a bag of nails will not rev above about 2000 any ideas please shoeing codes 80,81,82,83 140,142,143, any help appreaciated

[Cadillac Jim]

I don't have the EXPORT CODES. Someone that does must step in here.

First, if you can return the car under local law, I would do so, and offer to buy it at the originally agreed-upon price if the car is put in good working condition. You have this right within 48 hours in most USA jurisdictions, 3 days in others. Even if you paid cash with no paper changing hands, you have this right, and call the police to get everything on record if nothing else, if necessary. If you got the car for peanuts, as-is, and want to fix it anyway, then genially ask the seller what is wrong; if he/she knows anything then their information can save you lots of time and aggravation.

If you hear internal knocking in the engine or the oil light is on at 2000 RPM, don't run the engine until you check the oil. Put in enough 10W-30 so that the oil shows on the dipstick, preferably about mid-way between the ADD and FULL lines. The Northstar takes 7 quarts of oil and, like nearly all cars, is just fine in normal use with 3 quarts in the crankcase, so it's just about impossible to harm the engine with low oil.

If the low oil pressure light shows for 1,500 RPM or more shut it off and don't start it again until you know why.

As far as the smoke and no power to rev above 2000 RPM is concerned, the first thing to do is to siphon out a little gas and see if somebody put diesel fuel in it. Yes, I've heard of this, more than once. It happens. The next thing to do, after you make sure that the oil level is OK, is to check the wiring to the oil sending unit (and elsewhere). If it has a true zero-oil-pressure problem then that needs to be fixed first.

[BodybyFisher]

These are export PCM codes if I am not mistaken, someone will stop by an provide a description for you.

Where is your car smoking from? Is it it leaking oil?

If you are getting low oil pressure, that is why it is making noise (like nails) STOP RUNNING the ENGINE until the cause of low oil pressure is found.

Did this happen suddenly?

[lothos]

The Northstar takes 5 quarts of oil and, like nearly all cars, is just fine in normal use with 3 quarts in the crankcase, so it's just about impossible to harm the engine with low oil.

The Northstar actually takes 7.5 quarts of oil.

[alanlcole]

it is burning the oil so it is coming out of the exhaust the car was purchased with a (noisey engine) may need work on the engine

the low oil pressure may be an oil pump but how do i check this

it also missfires badly plenty of oil is present

cannot get any information from previous owner

[BodybyFisher]

it is burning the oil so it is coming out of the exhaust the car was purchased with a (noisey engine) may need work on the engine

the low oil pressure may be an oil pump but how do i check this

it also missfires badly plenty of oil is present

cannot get any information from previous owner

First, where are you located?

This type of problem is very difficult to diagnose here. You can put an oil pressure gage on the engine and check the oil pressure. Low oil pressure can be the result of a bad oil pump, worn main and rod bearings, internal leaks at the case half, a loose crank pulley that is not torqued to spec causing the oil pump drive to slip. I don't like that your engine is noisy, NEVER run the engine with a LOW OIL PRESSURE warning.

Its hard to say what the misfire is, could be ignition, mechanical or compression related. You might do a compression test.

We need to determine what your codes mean.

[BodybyFisher]

I did an extensive search for export DTC codes and could find nothing. I think Logan has a list. If anyone knows were an export code list is located, that would be helpful

[Cadillac Jim]

The Northstar takes 5 quarts of oil and, like nearly all cars, is just fine in normal use with 3 quarts in the crankcase, so it's just about impossible to harm the engine with low oil.

The Northstar actually takes 7.5 quarts of oil.

Arrrgh. Typo. Fixed with edit. Thanks.

[95SevilleSLS]

The Northstar takes 5 quarts of oil and, like nearly all cars, is just fine in normal use with 3 quarts in the crankcase, so it's just about impossible to harm the engine with low oil.

The Northstar actually takes 7.5 quarts of oil.

Arrrgh. Typo. Fixed with edit. Thanks.

Actually, you are correct, it is 7 quarts. It's 7.5 WITH a filter change.

[alanlcole]

i am located in the uk

[BodybyFisher]

The Northstar takes 5 quarts of oil and, like nearly all cars, is just fine in normal use with 3 quarts in the crankcase, so it's just about impossible to harm the engine with low oil.

The Northstar actually takes 7.5 quarts of oil.

Arrrgh. Typo. Fixed with edit. Thanks.

Actually, you are correct, it is 7 quarts. It's 7.5 WITH a filter change.

Jim actually had 5 quarts

[95SevilleSLS]

The Northstar takes 5 quarts of oil and, like nearly all cars, is just fine in normal use with 3 quarts in the crankcase, so it's just about impossible to harm the engine with low oil.

The Northstar actually takes 7.5 quarts of oil.

Arrrgh. Typo. Fixed with edit. Thanks.

Actually, you are correct, it is 7 quarts. It's 7.5 WITH a filter change.

Jim actually had 5 quarts

I think I may need new glasses!

[BodybyFisher]

Join the club

[Cadillac Jim]

I had a typo, hit 5 instead of 7, and was called away from the computer and sent it without checking it over. I fixed it with an edit, changing the 5 to a 7. To me that's a nominal number, and for my oil and filter changes my mechanic gets 8 quarts and has 1/2 quart left over, which he has offered to blend with ice cream and let me drink, but I offer it to him to put in an oil can and squirt on something in possibly a useful act.