Nocking engine/smell rotten eggs...

[bowtechguy]

I have a '97 grand prix gtp that about 15 min ago i was comming up a steep hill to my home and the engine started nocking and check engine light came on. I can smell a strong oder of like rotten eggs! Any idea what this could be?

[Scimmia]

Rotten eggs is most often the cat. It can come from bad fuel, but coupled with the other problems, I'd strongly suspect the cat.

[QwikGT]

rotten eggs is bad cat

[bowtechguy]

Dumb quesion, how do i turn the key to get the code?
Will the cat. cause the engine to barely run?

[Scimmia]

Dumb quesion, how do i turn the key to get the code?
Will the cat. cause the engine to barely run?

Not sure what you mean by turn the key to get the code, OBDII systems don't work like that. I think some of the GPs had a way to get the code on the climate control, but otherwise you need a code reader. Typically your local auto parts place will read it and give you the code for free, just make sure you write down the actual code and not just what they tell you is wrong.

A plugged cat can cause the car to barely run, yes.

[bowtechguy]

OK, thanks for the heads up! Also to add when I got home the check engine light was blinking kinda fast.

[Scimmia]

blinking means misfire, which is pretty typical with a plugged cat.

[bowtechguy]

I know Ilm full of question but, can this happen all the sudden, like right now?

[Scimmia]

Not usually, but if something broke in the cat itself, it could. Simple way to check is to unbolt the downpipe and see if you still have problems.

[bowtechguy]

OK, i'll give that a try! Thanks

[bowtechguy]

I limped the car to an autoparts place, got a code for missfire #3 cylinder. Put new plug n wire on and checked coil. but it still has a bad knock to it. Did I blow a valve or something??

[blueguy]

Was the plug damaged?

[bowtechguy]

No, plug was ok.

[black98gt]

Could be the start of a rod bearing going bad. Put some honey oil in there and see if it stops. When I had my grand am I had the same problem. I put honey oil in, and the knocking stopped, once the oil got lighter it came back and a few weeks later my engine blew.

[bowtechguy]

Well its going to a shop tonight, hopefully tomorrow I'll know what wrong!
Thanks for all the input guy, its been greatly appriceated!

[Jakegday]

Not sure what you mean by turn the key to get the code,

dodge/chrysler vehicles made before 2001 allowed you to do this. you turned the ignition back and forth two or three times and the engine light would flash a certain amount of times, a bunch of times, depending on the codes. they were not obdII codes however, they were a set of codes used by dodge/chrysler.

[bowtechguy]

Ok, took car to garage and found that #3 cylinder has low compression. Spark plug, wire, coil all check out. With the loss of compression does it sound like a bad valve? Wouldn't think it would be the injector. Any help?
How hard is it to change a head at home?

[blueguy]

Might be a stuck intake valve?? I have the issue now and am too busy trying to find a job to finish working on it. Take off the valve cover and try hitting it with a rubber mallet to try and pop it loose...free fix...if not...not sure. Maybe the rings are bad in the piston?

To change a head you will need to pull the blower off, all the things attached to the front head (coil packs, coil pack bracket, dog bones, valve cover, rockers/rocker bolts/pushrods/lifters, Lower Intake Manifold, Lifter Guides (2 bolts on each one) and all 8 head bolts)...you can pull the plugs if you want too, but I left mine in and just bought all new plugs when I redid mine...

[bowtechguy]

Thanks for the advice. I'm gonna bring the car home this after noon and see what I can figure out. Might just get rid of the dang thing, lol.

[blueguy]

Yeah. Go buy a Trans Am or Terminator.