Problems with 1998 Grand Voyager Check Engine Light - The saga continues

Now we are getting somewhere. The valve click is likely the missing
clue. The valve guides on those MitsuShitty engines have a reputation
(well earned) for failing. Early ones simply fell out - newer ones
wear out. I suspect you have a loose valve guide on the exhaust valve
of #5. Pull the rocker cover and turn the engine till the valve is
fully closed, then attempt to wiggle the top of the valve. ANY
noticeable movement is excessive. Have the heads rebuilt and you
should be good for close to another 50,000 miles or more. The bottom
end on those engines is pretty solid - I have over 240,000km on mine -
on the third set of heads. Guides fell out of the first set, and wore
out on the second.

This click has been with us for a long time.

 

There is product named Techton or Techron not sure. It's made by
Chevron and we can get it at Wal-Mart here for about $6 or so. It
comes in a black plastic bottle. On it it says something like
concentrated formula. There are other Chevron products that say they
have Techtron in them, things like fuel injector cleaner with Techron
(in blue bottles I think). You need the concentrated formula. It's
specifically designed to attack carbon and is also sold by VW and BMW
dealers usually at 2 to 4 times the price.

Its about the best product I ever used for removing carbon from
valves. You may need two treatments. Must do an oil change after the
2nd treatment.

Search for it on the web. It may help.

Fred

 

Fred,

Thanks for the suggestion. We ran several bottle of Techron (regular and valve cleaning
variety) through the engine. One time the light went out for a few days but came back. It turns
out the engine has somewhat lower compression on cylinder #5. It has been in the shop for
literally months waiting to get the valves grounds. The mechanic finally got around to taking
it apart, then Hurricane Isabel hit, and brought everything to a stop. It is almost a certainty
that myself and no close to me will ever buy another Chrysler product - at least until my kids
are old enough to make their own decisions. I think one Chrysler product per generation is
about all any rational family can stand.

 

I thought I should let everyone know about the final resolution of the
check engine light saga. In the end it was a burned exhaust valve on
cylinder #5. The vehicle has been running fine for 2 months now. Alls
well that ends well I guess ($900 fix though).

Ed