5.3L Idle Vibration/Rough Idle Surge

hotrodz37 · October 14, 2014

So I've been running this tank of gas with the two bottles of Chevron Techron (about a 1/4 tank in). Motor seems to idle a little better, less vibration and surge. My guess is there was some carbon buildup from the misfires/pinging/knocking I had a few weeks ago. But regardless I made an appointment at the dealer for Wednesday. I am going out of town this week on business until Saturday, so I told my service guy they could look at it again this week.

Also, last time they did my oil change/tire rotation I get a little front end pull. Prolly a tire going bad (not surprised, damn Goodyear SRA's) because I didn't notice it before they rotated the tires OR the time before that. We shall see what the dealer tells me about that...

Oh and not to mention my leaf springs were creaking like a bitch this morning. It was pretty moist out, heavy fog, light rain. They were SO loud.

Keep us posted on the idle vibration and if the dealer has anything to say. I'm about 1/4 tank in with the Techron and if anything the vibration seems worse. Felt better for about a day or so this weekend and then the last 2 days it has been more consistent, although they surges might not be as significant they seem to be more often. Who knows, I guess I'll give it this whole tank and see how it goes, I might throw another bottle in to get it extra concentrated since I don't drive a whole lot.

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hotrodz37 · October 14, 2014

Yeah the injector cleaner doesnt get the intake runners or valves but it definitely helped my idle vibrations. Ran silky smooth after a good highway run witht the stuff.

HondaHawkGT,

What injector cleaner did you use and what dose did you put in? Thanks!

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HondaHawkGT · October 15, 2014

I used Gumout Regane. Mixed with roughly 15 gallons of 91 octane. My idle problems started when I filled up at a station that doesnt sell much fuel. I normally try stick to stations that sell enough fuel to keep their fuel fresh.

hotrodz37 · October 15, 2014

I have been blowing this forum up tonight, too many thoughts running through my mind, question for you guys. This seemed to happen after I got my first oil change at the dealer. I checked the dipstick and it is hard to tell since the oil is so thin and clear but it looks over filled, quite a bit past the full mark. Just a thought for my issue. I might drain some out in the morning and see if it persists. Would it be possible that too much oil might be causing the surging and rough idle?

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Edited October 15, 2014 by hotrodz37

hotrodz37 · October 15, 2014

Alright, so I went out during lunch and got a good read on the dipstick. It is about 1" past full on the cross hatch marks on the dipstick. I called the dealer they were NOT happy that the tech over filled it. In the manual is says "do not add too much oil, if you find that you have an oil level above the operating range, i.e. the engine has so much oil that the oil level gets above the cross hatched area that shows the proper operating range, the engine could be damaged. You should drain out excess oil, OR limit driving of the vehicle and seek a service professional to remove the excess amoutn of oil."I asked about the idle and he said it is very possible that being over filled is what is causing it. Offered to drain the excess oil, but I told him I would just do it when I got home this evening. Told him I would drain it and call if the idle problem persists. Fingers crossed that this is what is causing my problem. Will report back!

Edited October 15, 2014 by hotrodz37

Silverado-Hareek · October 15, 2014

Alright, so I went out during lunch and got a good read on the dipstick. It is about 1" past full on the cross hatch marks on the dipstick. I called the dealer they were NOT happy that the tech over filled it. In the manual is says "do not add too much oil, if you find that you have an oil level above the operating range, i.e. the engine has so much oil that the oil level gets above the cross hatched area that shows the proper operating range, the engine could be damaged. You should drain out excess oil, OR limit driving of the vehicle and seek a service professional to remove the excess amoutn of oil."I asked about the idle and he said it is very possible that being over filled is what is causing it. Offered to drain the excess oil, but I told him I would just do it when I got home this evening. Told him I would drain it and call if the idle problem persists. Fingers crossed that this is what is causing my problem. Will report back!

You probably should let them do it. It's their mistake so why put yourself in the middle of it and give them a reason to back out of paying for any damages if your engine needs repairs?

Side note, I don't care if it offends the service department or not, but I always pop my hood after an oil change to check that the oil cap is properly tightened and the oil level is correct and was actually changed.

Edited October 15, 2014 by Silverado-Hareek

hotrodz37 · October 15, 2014

You probably should let them do it. It's their mistake so why put yourself in the middle of it and give them a reason to back out of paying for any damages if your engine needs repairs?

Side note, I don't care if it offends the service department or not, but I always pop my hood after an oil change to check that the oil cap is properly tightened and the oil level is correct and was actually changed.

I spoke with the Service Director and he added it to my file, we have a very good rapport with eachother. I would rather do it myself to make sure its done right, plus I have all the tools and means to knock it out in 15 mins instead of having to take a few hrs out of my day to go there. Definitely lesson learned, I checked it when i got home after the dealership, but the oil was so clear I couldn't see it on the dipstick. This is the first time I have had someone else change my oil and was reluctant to, have done it myself every time with the last 2 trucks I've owned. I would do it myself with this one if it didn't take 8.5 qts of oil and was free! If there are damages that is what the powertain warranty is for

Edited October 15, 2014 by hotrodz37

Silverado-Hareek · October 15, 2014

I spoke with the Service Director and he added it to my file, we have a very good rapport with eachother. I would rather do it myself to make sure its done right, plus I have all the tools and means to knock it out in 15 mins instead of having to take a few hrs out of my day to go there. Definitely lesson learned, I checked it when i got home after the dealership, but the oil was so clear I couldn't see it on the dipstick. This is the first time I have had someone else change my oil and was reluctant to, have done it myself every time with the last 2 trucks I've owned. I would do it myself with this one if it didn't take 8.5 qts of oil and was free! If there are damages that is what the powertain warranty is for

Ok that's good as long as the service director is ok with you doing it and made the necessary notes on your file.

HondaHawkGT · October 15, 2014

Yeah overfilling your engine with oil can be pretty bad. Blowout seals, foam up the oil, not to mention severe parasitic power loss as your crank will be sloshing around in that extra oil. Good thing you noticed it.

hotrodz37 · October 16, 2014

Well, need to drive the truck some more, but I drained between 1/2 and 3/4 of a quart out of the truck last night. On the way to work, it idled smooth as can be, no surging, nothing. So hopefully this was my fix, but will report back if it winds up coming back.

fondupot · October 19, 2014

Well, need to drive the truck some more, but I drained between 1/2 and 3/4 of a quart out of the truck last night. On the way to work, it idled smooth as can be, no surging, nothing. So hopefully this was my fix, but will report back if it winds up coming back.

Interesting. What level does the dipstick say for your oil? Are you within the dots/hashmark?

hotrodz37 · October 27, 2014

Interesting. What level does the dipstick say for your oil? Are you within the dots/hashmark?

It was at about 3/4 up the hash marks after draining. I added a little more oil back to be right under the full mark.

Mine seems to be much better, still does it every once in a while but not nearly as much. The combo of having the oil at the right level and the Techron seemed to help. I am going on a trip in 2 weeks and will probably put another bottle in to let it run though while I am on the highway.

Fondupot, have you had any luck with the Techron yet or the dealer yet?

fondupot · October 27, 2014

It was at about 3/4 up the hash marks after draining. I added a little more oil back to be right under the full mark.

Mine seems to be much better, still does it every once in a while but not nearly as much. The combo of having the oil at the right level and the Techron seemed to help. I am going on a trip in 2 weeks and will probably put another bottle in to let it run though while I am on the highway.

Fondupot, have you had any luck with the Techron yet or the dealer yet?

My truck seems to be doing better. I will check my oil level when I get home, maybe I will drain a bit out to see if that helps too. I'm almost through the tank with the Techron in it. I planned on getting gas again tomorrow.

The dealer had it for a few days 2 weeks ago when I was out of town on business and couldn't find anything abnormal.

hotrodz37 · October 28, 2014

My truck seems to be doing better. I will check my oil level when I get home, maybe I will drain a bit out to see if that helps too. I'm almost through the tank with the Techron in it. I planned on getting gas again tomorrow.

The dealer had it for a few days 2 weeks ago when I was out of town on business and couldn't find anything abnormal.

Yeah, I filled up about half a tank yesterday of 89 and it is doing the stumbling.surging again. Maybe got a tank of bad gas, who knows, kinda tired of chasing this issue and having to guess if I am going to get a bad tank or not.

fondupot · October 28, 2014

Dang, mine isn't as bad as it was. But its still has a noticeable vibration at idle. I have been meaning to check the spark plug gaps all around, but haven't had the time.