So I finally got the car, had the head gasket repair done (P.O. had nitrous installed, think it warped the heads due to higher than desired/engineered for internal engine temps) and got my registration done with the state of OK. So, driving the car to work on Thursday (early day off) and I hear a slight loud ticking sound, like maybe oil isn't getting to the top end, but oil level is okay and car "seems" to run ok otherwise. So Friday (yesterday) I take it in to work again, to give me something to look forward to after working from 8 to 6. On the way in, there's that noise again, seems to be getting a bit louder, and just about a minute or two away from where I park, I thought I saw some kind of flashing idiot light out of the corner of my eye. I park, look under the car, nothing dripping or leaking, I think "maybe I do need oil, I'll check when I get home" and go to work.
Come out of work, drive the 15 1/2 miles home, and this time the "Check Engine Soon" light comes on about 1/2 way home as I'm on the local roads. Not bumper to bumper, but a traffic light every mile or so. So, it's on, then it flashes, and the engine is sounding louder, and the car acts like it's got a cat up the exhaust or something, seems a bit choked, but I try to keep the revs low as possible. Make it home, (and all this time the engine temp is fine, and the oil pressure is a bit on the low side, but nothing that I'd call unusual or terrible) and check the oil. WTF? It seems clean and at a good level. So, I read the manual and I'm told that it means that something might be wrong with the emissions system? It was running great a day or so ago, what could be wrong? I didn't run through any deep puddles, I used the normal (QuikTrip) gas, don't think I did anything out of the ordinary, and now suddenly this happens. I'll check the gas filler cap although I put it on fine, I think and anyway, I got gas a couple days ago and you'd think if that would have been the problem it would have let me know right away, right? But, with the engine noises, I'm now sick with worry, just when I was about ready to "enjoy" the car this happens. The manual says "drive it to a service facility" is it safe to do? I hate to have to do that and maybe cause (more?) damage, should I just have it towed someplace? Originally, before I read the manual, I was kind of self-diagnosing it and thought maybe it might be the oil pump, as the crankcase level seemed fine, but obviously (I think) it seemed like oil wasn't getting to the top end, hence the metallic noise I heard. Help?
Thanks a lot,
Tom in Tulsa
#1367, see http://www.members.***.net/kjtar/camaross.html for pictures.