Knocking sound and disconnected hose, Help! - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

MLC ZR1 · 3 Days Ago

90Z with 62k miles

Need expert help and insight after a plenum pull for a manifold vacuum line repair and fuel injector inspection. Once I got the car back it immediately developed a loud knock at idle (will attach audio) along with a bunch of other symptoms I'll list below. While inspecting the engine I noticed the Fuel regulator hose was disconnected from the regulator. Luckily, I took a video of the knock immediately after I got the car back and in the clip you can see its disconnected. I have images of it connected days before drop off. I just didn't catch it until now. Can this be the cause of all the issues im having with the car, I feel like the regulator has now gone bad as a result.

VIDEO - https://youtu.be/IFdDZnwwwf8

Since getting the car back while hose was disconnected:
-Strong fuel smell out exhaust after cold and hot starts
-Long start times, most of starts I have to hold for 5+ seconds before it starts, struggles to hold but doesn't die just sputters till RPMs rise enough, spits out large puffs of white smoke that smells like fuel from exhaust. RPMs shoot up to 2500-3000 then levels at 8-900 after about 10 sec.
- Knocking sound heard at idle, Knock subsides when giving it gas, but has died on me when doing this while the car is parked. The whole car shakes when the knock is present.
-Drives very sluggish and feels lean at times and rich at others (coming out exhaust)
-multiple backfires
-Poor fuel economy

Recent Work
All fluids and plugs changed to Marc's recs.
Original Injectors but all checked out ok and flow and ohm tested good.
Plenum pull with manifold vacuum line repaired and some gaskets changed.
Fuel pressure was normal during inspection at rail and held.
Fuel Pump and filter replaced in 2021 at 60k.
Battery replaced.
Transmission and clutch replaced 2021 at 60K, not sure if flywheel was done.

Marc Haibeck · 2 Days Ago

From your overall detailed description of the running condition I wonder if a fuel injector wire is pinched under the plenum. The front primary fuel injectors on both banks are the most susceptible to this. You might be able to see the pinched wire without removing the plenum. Look at the black wire on the left side. Look at the black/light green wire on the right side.

The banging noise is from a misfire. Maybe because a short circuited fuel injector is not contributing torque.

White smoke at idle can be caused by a fuel injector that is spraying full time due to a shorted drive circuit. A connection to ground turns the fuel injector on.

The 850 rpm idle may be due to a vacuum leak.

The disconnected fuel regulator vacuum hose has nothing to do with your problem. On a healthy engine the control system tunes around the disconnected hose and the car drives normally.

Marc

MLC ZR1 · 2 Days Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marc Haibeck

From your overall detailed description of the running condition I wonder if a fuel injector wire is pinched under the plenum. The front primary fuel injectors on both banks are the most susceptible to this. You might be able to see the pinched wire without removing the plenum. Look at the black wire on the left side. Look at the black/light green wire on the right side.

The banging noise is from a misfire. Maybe because a short circuited fuel injector is not contributing torque.

White smoke at idle can be caused by a fuel injector that is spraying full time due to a shorted drive circuit. A connection to ground turns the fuel injector on.

The 850 rpm idle may be due to a vacuum leak.

The disconnected fuel regulator vacuum hose has nothing to do with your problem. On a healthy engine the control system tunes around the disconnected hose and the car drives normally.

Marc

Marc,
Thank you for the feedback. It appears on inspection the drivers side black wire was very kinked at one point closest to the connector and it was also slightly wedged between the rail and connector. I freed it up and rounded out the wire, so far this morning its still having hard starts, misfiring "knocking", and heavy fuel smell on just starting it. I will check it again and drive it around later today. Otherwise no codes and fuses look good.

If it continues, I'll will to take it back to mechanic and have him check what you mentioned as there's got to be a short, ground issue, or low resistance, something should come back abnormal this time. It's very strange to me this all started when I immediately got the car back. Either way, perhaps it's time to switch to some FICs if I gotta pull the plenum again.

Marc Haibeck · 1 Day Ago

You can use an ohm meter to test for a short circuit on a wire that is hidden. With the battery disconnected, each of the fuel injector drive circuits should measure 18 to 22 ohms to ground. A shorted wire will measure from four to one ohm.

The pinout for the ECM A connector is shown here:
http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20W...Resistance.htm
The A connector is the one nearest to the outside of the car. The pin numbers are marked on the connector.

3 Days Ago	#1
MLC ZR1 Join Date: Aug 2024 Location: Florida Posts: 4	Knocking sound and disconnected hose, Help! 90Z with 62k miles Need expert help and insight after a plenum pull for a manifold vacuum line repair and fuel injector inspection. Once I got the car back it immediately developed a loud knock at idle (will attach audio) along with a bunch of other symptoms I'll list below. While inspecting the engine I noticed the Fuel regulator hose was disconnected from the regulator. Luckily, I took a video of the knock immediately after I got the car back and in the clip you can see its disconnected. I have images of it connected days before drop off. I just didn't catch it until now. Can this be the cause of all the issues im having with the car, I feel like the regulator has now gone bad as a result. VIDEO - https://youtu.be/IFdDZnwwwf8 Since getting the car back while hose was disconnected: -Strong fuel smell out exhaust after cold and hot starts -Long start times, most of starts I have to hold for 5+ seconds before it starts, struggles to hold but doesn't die just sputters till RPMs rise enough, spits out large puffs of white smoke that smells like fuel from exhaust. RPMs shoot up to 2500-3000 then levels at 8-900 after about 10 sec. - Knocking sound heard at idle, Knock subsides when giving it gas, but has died on me when doing this while the car is parked. The whole car shakes when the knock is present. -Drives very sluggish and feels lean at times and rich at others (coming out exhaust) -multiple backfires -Poor fuel economy Recent Work All fluids and plugs changed to Marc's recs. Original Injectors but all checked out ok and flow and ohm tested good. Plenum pull with manifold vacuum line repaired and some gaskets changed. Fuel pressure was normal during inspection at rail and held. Fuel Pump and filter replaced in 2021 at 60k. Battery replaced. Transmission and clutch replaced 2021 at 60K, not sure if flywheel was done.

2 Days Ago	#2
Marc Haibeck Join Date: May 2007 Location: Addison IL Posts: 245	Re: Knocking sound and disconnected hose, Help! From your overall detailed description of the running condition I wonder if a fuel injector wire is pinched under the plenum. The front primary fuel injectors on both banks are the most susceptible to this. You might be able to see the pinched wire without removing the plenum. Look at the black wire on the left side. Look at the black/light green wire on the right side. The banging noise is from a misfire. Maybe because a short circuited fuel injector is not contributing torque. White smoke at idle can be caused by a fuel injector that is spraying full time due to a shorted drive circuit. A connection to ground turns the fuel injector on. The 850 rpm idle may be due to a vacuum leak. The disconnected fuel regulator vacuum hose has nothing to do with your problem. On a healthy engine the control system tunes around the disconnected hose and the car drives normally. Marc

1 Day Ago	#4
Marc Haibeck Join Date: May 2007 Location: Addison IL Posts: 245	Re: Knocking sound and disconnected hose, Help! You can use an ohm meter to test for a short circuit on a wire that is hidden. With the battery disconnected, each of the fuel injector drive circuits should measure 18 to 22 ohms to ground. A shorted wire will measure from four to one ohm. The pinout for the ECM A connector is shown here: http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20W...Resistance.htm The A connector is the one nearest to the outside of the car. The pin numbers are marked on the connector.