I have a stock 95 camaro 3.4 and was having serious power issues. I am just o.k. with car stuff and really have no place to do extensive work on it, so I brought it to a shop. Engine codes came back catalytic and EGR valve. They wanted $2500 for the stuff I wanted done (a little more than just the engine work), but with the help of a couple friends and $450 worth of parts, I got done just about all. On the engine, we replaced the intake and valve cover gaskets, the EGR and EGR down tube gaskets, and will cut out the catalytic and replace with a straight pipe. Upon replacing th EGR, I received a lot of my engine power back, however I am still encountering an "air leak" at the EGR assembly. It looks like the (forgive my non-technical terms) the black "washer" at the bottom of one of the EGR valves is moving and letting the air escape, creating a hissing noise and a loss of power above 3000 RPM. Could the EGR be bad, or is there something else that may need to be done around that area? I know that is a long narrative for a short question, but I know how information makes things a little easier.

Thanks for any help.


09/08/2006 - new problem, same system

The car was running 75% last night, but on the way to work this morning the EGR literally melted and shut down the engine - I am looking for clues on what could have happened. Still had the minor whistling and loss of power, but the hiss got worse then eventually the engine shut down.

 

You need to replace the entire EGR assembly. peobably got stuck wide open and the hot exhaust did its thing.

 

Thanks, Pete - ended up doing that and found the problems - catalytic clogged (cut out and replaced with straight pipe) and the down tube gasket had slipped while installing and blocked hole into the manifold. I have a NAPA shop here that is very good and replaced the EGR with no question (thankfully saving me $230).

All seems much better now, but still not right. I believe i have an O2 sensor bad on the intake hose (bogged down with throttle, didnt after sensor unplugged), and for some reason the idle sticks at 2000rpm for about 10 sec. after throttle blip. That last has my car guys somewhat baffled, also. Going to put it back on a computer and get more codes. Hopefully I wont be chasing codes for too long.

Mike

 

If the cat was clogged there is a good possibility that the O2 sensors got soothed up and not working too well.