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Old 05-29-2018, 01:29 PM   #1
Sunburninaz
 
Drives: 2011 RS Convertible
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Flashing CEL, P0301 Code and oil in the spark plug well

We have a 2011 RS convertible (V-6 with 76,000 miles). My daughter was driving it while we were out of town over the weekend. While sitting at a light, she said it started shaking. As she accelerated on the green, she said that the CEL came on, flashing, and the car was shaking worse so she pulled into the first parking lot and called me. We had it towed home that night and I dug into it yesterday when we got home.

Here's what I found and what I did.

The only code was a P0301.

I pulled the #1 coil and the spark plug. Before actually pulling the plug out, I noticed seemingly fresh oil on the spark plug socket. Sure enough, when I pulled the plug, there was oil on the exterior of it (the shell/hex).

Trying to start with the easiest options, I replaced the spark plug and swapped the #1 & #3 coils. I did not clear the code. I fired it up and it ran roughly and threw a second P0301 code. The CEL was not flashing but it was on.

After the second code, I decided to clear both. There was a brief "stumble" upon fire up, but then the idle smoothed out and the CEL did not come on. We drove it for about 10 miles and the CEL did not return. I scanned it again when we got home and, sure enough, it read another P0301 code (but no CEL). A neighbor suggested that it might require several drive cycles to clear the code. I think we've put about 20 miles total on it now, in several "drive cycles" and the CEL has remained off but the code is still present.

I have several questions:

1. What would cause the oil in the spark plug well (#3 and #5 were dry). I mentioned that the oil looked fairly fresh as I had just changed the oil last week - is there any correlation?

2. Would the oil in the well cause the misfire in some way?

3. Is it possible that the new spark plug remedied the mis-fire (I realize that the oil situation needs to be addressed) and that the code will clear after an extended period of driving?

In short, is it safe for my daughter to drive until we get the oil leak repaired (and how difficult is that to do)?

Thanks for any insight you may have to offer.

Doug

Spark plug
https://www.flickr.com/photos/459436...etaken-public/

Spark plug well
https://www.flickr.com/photos/459436...etaken-public/
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Old 05-29-2018, 01:40 PM   #2
Hippy
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Coils is bad replace the one you moved.. Clear codes
The oil is mostlikely coming through the gasket between the valve cover and head.


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Old 05-29-2018, 01:52 PM   #3
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Miss the code
When u moved the coil.
If the code stays in cylinder 1 when u moved the coil.
I would check compression.
Compare to any other cylinder.
If possible check all.
See if cylinder is noticeabley lower.
If you moved the coil and the code changed..

Example from cylinder 1 code p0301.
And you moved the coil to cylinder 3
And the code now says p0303.
You know it's the coil
If it comes back to the same cylinder 1. You'll have to see if the compression is lower then check rings valves head gasket

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Old 05-29-2018, 02:33 PM   #4
Sunburninaz
 
Drives: 2011 RS Convertible
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Thanks for the quick responses.

I don't think that the old spark plug is showing any signs of oil fouling that I'd think would be present with the rings/valves/head gasket scenario.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/459436...etaken-public/

I did swap the coils between #1 and #3. The code is still reading as P0301. My question is whether this code could actually be from the original fault and just hasn't cleared yet. What is the protocol to fully erase the error codes?

I just remembered, too, that the "C" (Catalyst) and "EV" (Evap) monitor icons were flashing on the reader (Innova 3100C). It's my understanding, though, that these can take several trips to erase pending errors.
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Old 05-29-2018, 02:46 PM   #5
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Plugs look normal
Only compression test will tell.
My option it's the coil.
Intermittent.
See it the code returns in the other cylinder

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Old 05-29-2018, 02:53 PM   #6
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I know the Traverse is not the Camaro, but these members are saying that the cylinder head needed to be replaced for the same issue

http://www.traverseforum.com/33-engi...ve-gasket.html
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Old 06-02-2018, 06:31 PM   #7
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Maybe it was missing because of the oil in the spark plug chamber allowing the spark to ground ?
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