Some weird issues in the hood

[Kavik_Whitescar]

Howdy all, my 95 Lesabre (custom) has been running real rough the last two weeks, I have a theory that when I got the oil changed they didnt tighten something properly and this is why.

The day after the change it sounded real odd and was running rough but its old and Ive had issues like this before where the motor mounts just needed to be tightend, so I took it home opened it up and they were soild. Over the next week things got a little crazy, while idle the entire front end of the car vibrates, visably. I can watch the dash, steering wheel and everything shake. It was having serious issue taking off (fixed with a new muffler and spark plug replacement I think) but never stalling out or dying.

While driving it will randomly start shaking real bad until I release the gas, I cant bring it over 60 right now at all without it shaking (what sounds like the engine but again the whole front end shakes uncontrollably) Thursday it sounded like the Catalytic was blocked up, a type writer kinda sound when driving and worse when idle so I took it to a local shop to be tested. When I took it to be tested the guys said it was fine but my muffler had a hole in it and needed to be fixed (which i was fine with i had a scrape with a speed bump)

It sounded great, now here is where I am at.
It sounded bad, like a whine of metal on metal for 40 yards, when i could pull off the noise stopped but thin whispy white smoke came from the passenger side of the hood. My girlfriend said the door felt warm and so I kicked the heat on and nursed her back home. The smoke and shaking started up only when idle. The next day, my dad and I replaced the spark plugs hoping that it would help fix the running rough issue and the air filter. I noticed my engine was covered in oil (that wasnt there two weeks ago) and gunk, and thats how I came to the Vavlvoline boys didnt do something right. Im taking it in tmrw to be topped off and see if they maybe didnt seal something right.

Any clues, tips or anything would be appreciated. I can give more info as needed and will be checking periodically for the next 7ish hours (im at work)

 

[HotZ28]

Rather than oil & filter change, did you have any thing else done, or checked @ the quick lube? Have you checked the oil level using the dipstick? Where is the oil on the engine, drivers side, passenger side, or center. It sounds like the oil fill cap on the valve cover was left loose, or not installed, or the power steering reservoir cap is loose, or missing. These would be some obvious things to check.

 

[Kavik_Whitescar]

Thanks, Ill be sure to take a look, the worst of the spill/grime is on drivers side the passengers is just like a very light amount on the metal, all they did was a change. The oil level is low I checked it while we were doing the spark plugs.

Thanks, Ill be sure to mention it to them when I go and Ill poke around when I can to see.

 

[HotZ28]

Most quick lube stations are trained to check everything they can to add to the bottom line. While you were waiting, did anyone come to tell you you need an air cleaner, or trans service (flush)? Are there any signs of oil under the car, below the oil pan?

 

[Kavik_Whitescar]

No, nothing drippin on the ground, they usually try but ive been there a few times in my parent's car and Im always denying to pay for anything extra so they didnt say anything when I was there this time.

 

[Kavik_Whitescar]

Went in today, had them check and magically full >.> I still had them top off the other fluids and check the valve and cap. Said they were both tight (of course). However today the back firing has gotten worse, louder and more frequent but only when idle, so when stopped I put it in park and wait.

Driving home the check enginge light popped on so I parked it and checked but nothing looked out of the ordinary (I am no car guru or anything so I wouldnt know where to actually look.) So on my way to work when I started up it made a really loud almost like a growling noise for maybe 5 seconds until I took off, then when I put it in park the noise came up again. I also had some stuttering issues when shifting between drive and reverse in the lot. Im taking it into the shop in the morning this is out of my abilities right now. Any clues from the new problems? I will be pretty tore up if this is my buick on her last legs.

 

[HotZ28]

Driving home the check enginge light popped on so I parked it and checked but nothing looked out of the ordinary (I am no car guru or anything so I wouldnt know where to actually look.)

Since you are not familiar, or accustomed to troubleshooting this vehicle, you are totally dependent on the advice of a reputable & qualified mechanic, who has experience with this particular engine. You should ask anyone who attempts to diagnose the problem, if they have a scanner capable of reading 0BDI codes & if not, take it somewhere else where they can. With the problems mentioned, all we can do here is speculate!

 

[aaronfitzy]

If your backfiring....you have two separate issues. A fuel issue would cause the backfiring....and the rough idle. The fuel pressure regulator would be my first check. Make sure to check the oil pressure switch...that could be the cause of your bad leak.

Aaron