Rough idle/running/misfire

[preacherman22]

I have a 99' Escalade with a 5.7 Vortec. The previous owner changed the plugs and wires but it still runs rough like a misfire. It also has a slight lifter tick. It has 240,000 highway miles. It's been sitting 9 months too. So outside of re-checking all the plugs and wires, what else should I do? Thank you for any and all advice. Its much appreciated.

 

[OR VietVet]

Basics first, do a compression check and post pics of all plugs removed. Do the test with all plugs out, not one at a time

 

[preacherman22]

Basics first, do a compression check and post pics of all plugs removed. Do the test with all plugs out, not one at a time

Can I rent a compression checker tool somewhere? I'm new to this. But yes! I'll do that first. Thank you.

 

[OR VietVet]

Can I rent a compression checker tool somewhere? I'm new to this. But yes! I'll do that first. Thank you.

You typically can rent them at a parts house. Make sure you have tools to remove and replace plugs and make sure you show us pics of the entire plug so we can check for porcelain cracks and also of the firing tips. Make sure you watch a few you tube videos of doing a dry and wet compression test on your engine and hopefully the same year or close. Keep track of the compression readings and post here.

 

[preacherman22]

You typically can rent them at a parts house. Make sure you have tools to remove and replace plugs and make sure you show us pics of the entire plug so we can check for porcelain cracks and also of the firing tips. Make sure you watch a few you tube videos of doing a dry and wet compression test on your engine and hopefully the same year or close. Keep track of the compression readings and post here.

10-4. Thank you. I'll be in touch soon.

 

[Hoesgottaeat2]

You can buy a cheap compression tester at Harbor Freight for around $30-$50. They're a good tool to have in the tool box of a fella who likes to work on his own vehicles IMO.

An oil change and some drive time may just work that noisy lifter back to normal, especially since it's been sitting 9 months. Letting a vehicle sit for great lengths of time can be one of the worse things you can do to it.

 

[OR VietVet]

You can buy a cheap compression tester at Harbor Freight for around $30-$50. They're a good tool to have in the tool box of a fella who likes to work on his own vehicles IMO.

An oil change and some drive time may just work that noisy lifter back to normal, especially since it's been sitting 9 months. Letting a vehicle sit for great lengths of time can be one of the worse things you can do to it.

Agreed about sitting that long on a higher mileage engine, can cause the lifters to bleed down and then they may not pump back up like they should.

 

[preacherman22]

You can buy a cheap compression tester at Harbor Freight for around $30-$50. They're a good tool to have in the tool box of a fella who likes to work on his own vehicles IMO.

An oil change and some drive time may just work that noisy lifter back to normal, especially since it's been sitting 9 months. Letting a vehicle sit for great lengths of time can be one of the worse things you can do to it.

That's what I was thinking too. I'm going to drain the fuel, check filter(s) and put some premium in it with some Gas Dry. I'll keep posting on this forum as soon as I get "Immanuel" home in a few days. I'm going to Resurrect this truck for sure. Kind of like " Christine", but in a Holy Way instead. Lol. Thanks man.

 

[exp500]

I would really watch that noisy lifter close, Adjust the valves and oil change. Monitor live data with scanner for a few weeks if it quiets down. Here is a cheap one-

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[Hoesgottaeat2]

That's what I was thinking too. I'm going to drain the fuel, check filter(s) and put some premium in it with some Gas Dry. I'll keep posting on this forum as soon as I get "Immanuel" home in a few days. I'm going to Resurrect this truck for sure. Kind of like " Christine", but in a Holy Way instead. Lol. Thanks man.

Folks like us who drive rigs this old, I think "Immanuel" is the perfect fit for a name lol. God be with you @preacherman22. Look forward to your updates sir.

 

[preacherman22]

I would really watch that noisy lifter close, Adjust the valves and oil change. Monitor live data with scanner for a few weeks if it quiets down. Here is a cheap one-

OBD2 Scanners & Car Code Readers

Our Bluetooth OBD2 scanners are great for use with Android or Windows phones & devices. Our WiFi OBD readers are a great option offering more flexibility and can be used with Android, iOS or Windows devices.

bafxpro.com

I like this my friend. Thank you very much for the link. I'll definitely purchase. Quick question, would you recommend an engine flush or could that make things worse? Thanks man.

 

[preacherman22]

Folks like us who drive rigs this old, I think "Immanuel" is the perfect fit for a name lol. God be with you @preacherman22. Look forward to your updates sir.

Thank you brother! Yes! Immanuel is a GREAT and MIGHTY name! I always joke that if Jesus rolled up on you, he'd be in a "Old School" truck, that is super clean and perfect! He's one of us right? Immanuel is white and clean, even the interior is nice with a new Alpine stereo system. Now we just have to "Resurrect" the heartbeat of America 5.7 Vortec and get her right! Lol. Thanks man. God bless you brother.

 

[Hoesgottaeat2]

Thank you brother! Yes! Immanuel is a GREAT and MIGHTY name! I always joke that if Jesus rolled up on you, he'd be in a "Old School" truck, that is super clean and perfect! He's one of us right? Immanuel is white and clean, even the interior is nice with a new Alpine stereo system. Now we just have to "Resurrect" the heartbeat of America 5.7 Vortec and get her right! Lol. Thanks man. God bless you brother.

Well don't go pounding nails in it when you're trying to fix it. That's a sacrifice you definitely don't need lol!

 

[preacherman22]

Well don't go pounding nails in it when you're trying to fix it. That's a sacrifice you definitely don't need lol!

I know that's right! Lol

 

[exp500]

I like this my friend. Thank you very much for the link. I'll definitely purchase. Quick question, would you recommend an engine flush or could that make things worse? Thanks man.

No Flush recommended, but a good diesel engine oil up to 15/45 works great on these.

 

[preacherman22]

No Flush recommended, but a good diesel engine oil up to 15/45 works great

 

[preacherman22]

Just a one time thing, or run Diesel oil? Thanks.

 

[B-train]

If you plan on running a heavy oil, just make sure your temp range won't hinder you. 15w-40 below 32F is like molasses and doesn't like to move very well. If you live in a temperate climate, you might be OK.

Personally I'd probably stick with a 10w-30 oil as a good all around one for that engine. I don't remember when GM switched over to 5w-30 as a base for most engines, but I do remember doing many oil changes in older 5.7L with 10w-30.

I know of a guy who said 15w-40 is good for all engines...........and ruined his newer dodge caravan engine by doing so. Not apples to apples, but you get the picture. I think the older engines are more forgiving of different weight oils than the newer stuff.

 

[repairman54]

Just use the recommended oil, synthetic is the only real ''upgrade''. Who knows more, the engineers who get paid to blow them up in testing or the interweb?
Took my old '99 Yuk 5.7 to 220k miles on WM super Tech full synth. oil and sold it running fine. Guy who bought it ran it another 2 yrs. until rust finally won the frame battle. Only reason I sold it as I didn't trust the rear frame to tow anymore.

 

[exp500]

Switching Types of oil is generally not recommended, as in back and forth. Switch should be a long term thing. Diesel Oil is very hi detergent.