Hey Scotty!
I have a 2009 Chevy corvette LS3 Base with 60k miles.
Last week I ran it super low on gas and filled it up at the local oncue (91, no ethanol). As I was pulling off it started to sputter, the check engine light came on and it went into reduced power mode causing me to barley make it the 2mi home.
I suspect that it was it was bad gas and reported it to the gas station and to the Oklahoma corporations commission. They can out and tested the gas the following day and all gasoline test passed.
I purchased a ODB scanner and received an initial code of P0300 and each time after starting the car I received others such as the following:
P0068
P0106
I replaced the following as well:
- MAP Sensor
- Spark plugs
- Spark plug wires
- Cleaned the air filter and the mass airflow sensor.
I was still having the same issue and decided to take it to a mechanic. They called me today saying that it would be $500 to get into the engine to perform some “advanced” diagnoses on the issue, because it could be a busted spring, or something else out of position they claim. Does this sound like a fair price just to diagnose?
What is your opinion on the issues? What should I do?
Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated!
Thank you,
-Tyree
Sounds like you have a electrical power problems. Get your battery + alternator loaded tested for free at Autozone.
Thank you!
Sounds to me like they are trying to rip you off. Why do they think it is a "busted spring"? Is the engine making any bad or unusual noises? A good mechanic should be able to go in with a fancy scan tool like the ones Scotty uses, check all the modules, do bidirectional testing, and graph live data to come up with a diagnosis for no more than a one hour shop charge.
Yeah, the engine sputters and nearly dies when I start it. Plus the flashing check engine light…
Flashing check engine light means "stop driving immediately to prevent engine damage". Like I said it needs to be scanned by a good mechanic with a professional grade scan tool if the problem is not something simple and obvious.
Ok, I would think they would have such a tool right?! What questions should I ask? I’m already at least $500 unless they have not started.
No idea what they are planning to do for $500. Maybe that's what they charge for a deep scan, though I don't think it should cost that much. Obviously we can't tell from here what kind of equipment that shop has. (Really good professional scan tools do cost thousands of dollars.) I would ask them exactly what the $500 diagnostic fee is buying you.
Has the fuel filter ever been changed? Letting a fuel injected car run that low on fuel can damage the fuel pump and fuel delivery system.
Not that I’m aware of…
I've seen cars stop dead because the owners never changed the fuel filter. Something to consider.
Thank you sir!