Both vehicles crapping out - 98 XLT 4x4 and 98 GM 3.4

[BigTrannyProblem]

Hey guys. Been a while since I last posted. Glad to see many of the regulars still here. Having a couple of issues. Any help is appreciated.

Explorer---Just changed all 4 brake sets/rotors. Ball joints also last fall (so much fun.) While I was doing the ball joints, I noticed the one hub assy had a little play in it. Replaced that, now the ABS light won't shut off (actually I made the mistake of turning on the ignition before the new one was plugged back in. ABS light stays on regardless even when I d/c battery for a week) Also now throwing a check engine code---have a scanner and will post code tonight. Need to get this thing inspected in case there is no quick and easy solution to problem B below.

problem B---98 TransSport 3.4l---this one really stumps me. Overheats on my wife around Christmas. Didn't spit any coolant from what I could tell. Just the gauge was close to pegged. Drive it home later that day after cooling off. Same deal. Overheats. Thought I was going to have to pull over and let it cool (About 1/2 way between 210 and the max.) All of the sudden the lights blink and temp starts to go down. Took it on short trips here and there. (1-1.5 miles RT) Fine. Heat was fine too. Since short trips were fine, I took it on a 200 mile RT for Easter. No problems. Came back and was making my short trips again and it overheated again. Even though the engine was warming up (around 180 or so...cold day), no heat was coming out. Need opinions on who here thinks it is a thermostat issue and who thinks it is a cooling fan issue (they work...just not sure if the fans kick on at the right times) or it could be both or maybe I am missing it by a mile. I appreciate the help and know it isn't the GM forum but I know there are some here who could help on this one.

-bigtrannyproblem

 

[BigTrannyProblem]

The OBDII data for the CEL is as follows on the Ex:

P0153

o2 Sensor CKT Slow Response (Bank 2 Sensor 1)
--------------------------------------------------
Freeze Data:

RPM 1958
Load: 50.9
Coolant: 167F
ST Fuel 1 = -3.4%
LT Fuel 1 = 0
ST Fuel 2 = -4.9%
LT Fuel 2 = -3.4%
ST Fuel 3 = 34.3%
LT Fuel 3 = 50%
ST Fuel 4 = 83.5%
LT Fuel 4 = -67.4

Speed --- 35 MPH
Fuel Sys 1 CLSD
Fuel Sys 2 N/A

Of course, the Ex had just been sitting there for a few months so maybe that had something to do with it?

-bigtrannyproblem

 

[96eb96]

Hey guys. Been a while since I last posted. Glad to see many of the regulars still here. Having a couple of issues. Any help is appreciated.

Explorer---Just changed all 4 brake sets/rotors. Ball joints also last fall (so much fun.) While I was doing the ball joints, I noticed the one hub assy had a little play in it. Replaced that, now the ABS light won't shut off (actually I made the mistake of turning on the ignition before the new one was plugged back in. ABS light stays on regardless even when I d/c battery for a week) Also now throwing a check engine code---have a scanner and will post code tonight. Need to get this thing inspected in case there is no quick and easy solution to problem B below.

problem B---98 TransSport 3.4l---this one really stumps me. Overheats on my wife around Christmas. Didn't spit any coolant from what I could tell. Just the gauge was close to pegged. Drive it home later that day after cooling off. Same deal. Overheats. Thought I was going to have to pull over and let it cool (About 1/2 way between 210 and the max.) All of the sudden the lights blink and temp starts to go down. Took it on short trips here and there. (1-1.5 miles RT) Fine. Heat was fine too. Since short trips were fine, I took it on a 200 mile RT for Easter. No problems. Came back and was making my short trips again and it overheated again. Even though the engine was warming up (around 180 or so...cold day), no heat was coming out. Need opinions on who here thinks it is a thermostat issue and who thinks it is a cooling fan issue (they work...just not sure if the fans kick on at the right times) or it could be both or maybe I am missing it by a mile. I appreciate the help and know it isn't the GM forum but I know there are some here who could help on this one.

-bigtrannyproblem

I'll take a shot.

The ABS light is most probably related to the hub replacement. There is a sensor that goes in the hub, and you may have damaged it or left it disconnected. I would investigate that. The new hub should have come with a new sensor.

As for the code information you posted, at first educated guess it seems like you need a drivers side oxygen sensor. I had the same code and the sensor was bad.

GM issue: You can change the theromstat, that is a few bucks. However, There are problems with lower intake gaskets going bad in GM cars. Watch for any internal or external coolant loss.

 

[BigTrannyProblem]

I'll take a shot.

The ABS light is most probably related to the hub replacement. There is a sensor that goes in the hub, and you may have damaged it or left it disconnected. I would investigate that. The new hub should have come with a new sensor.

As for the code information you posted, at first educated guess it seems like you need a drivers side oxygen sensor. I had the same code and the sensor was bad.

GM issue: You can change the theromstat, that is a few bucks. However, There are problems with lower intake gaskets going bad in GM cars. Watch for any internal or external coolant loss.

Well, I took a hub off. Replaced the hub with a new one. Plugged it in. Shouldn't be any harder than that. My concern was that there might be an ABS reset. If not, then I guess I just have a faulty hub sensor. That is not good, as it wasn't cheap.

O2 sensor issue: Do you know which one that is? There are 2 on each pipe. At least I had them out while changing the tranny, so they shouldn't be as hard to remove as they were before (tough).

GM issue: I guess the thing to do is check the radiator. I don't know much about cooling so I just assumed that if the overflow tank was to the "full" line, then I should be good. I guess not. Actually, what I did was fill the overflow tank to the max in order to reach the tiny hose level. Radiator sucked it right in. Must have been thirsty as it had been 45k miles since I had the dexcool changed and about 5 years. It took a gallon. I will have to open the radiator lid tomorrow to check the level at the source.

Thanks for your help. Seems like the van might be back on the road before the Explorer. Just sucks to do all of the work I have done on it and have issues unresolved for inspection/emissions. This one is going to be for sale soon! If anyone is interested in a 1998 4WD SOHC w/ a lot of new parts and a reman tranny (less than 10k miles), let me know.

-bigtrannyproblem

 

[96eb96]

Well, I took a hub off. Replaced the hub with a new one. Plugged it in. Shouldn't be any harder than that. My concern was that there might be an ABS reset. If not, then I guess I just have a faulty hub sensor. That is not good, as it wasn't cheap.

O2 sensor issue: Do you know which one that is? There are 2 on each pipe. At least I had them out while changing the tranny, so they shouldn't be as hard to remove as they were before (tough).

GM issue: I guess the thing to do is check the radiator. I don't know much about cooling so I just assumed that if the overflow tank was to the "full" line, then I should be good. I guess not. Actually, what I did was fill the overflow tank to the max in order to reach the tiny hose level. Radiator sucked it right in. Must have been thirsty as it had been 45k miles since I had the dexcool changed and about 5 years. It took a gallon. I will have to open the radiator lid tomorrow to check the level at the source.

Thanks for your help. Seems like the van might be back on the road before the Explorer. Just sucks to do all of the work I have done on it and have issues unresolved for inspection/emissions. This one is going to be for sale soon! If anyone is interested in a 1998 4WD SOHC w/ a lot of new parts and a reman tranny (less than 10k miles), let me know.

-bigtrannyproblem

ABS light will not go on unless there is a problem. There is nothing to reset. Do you have your old hub sensor? If the new sensor is bad there may be a warranty issue.

The bad 02 sensor is the one closer to the engine. Pass side is bank 1 driver is bank 2.

 

[SRH]

I'm a whiz when it comes to the GM 3X00 engines, a common problem on the 3.4 is Intake Manifold Gasket failure, it causes coolant to be ingested into the engine and either burn off or get mixed with the oil. Have you checked the oil or coolant for any signs of sludge? Another way to see if the gasket is leaking (sometimes) is to check the area where the lower intake meets the engine block and heads for coolant seepage. Hope this helps!