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98 Chevy 5.7 Cylinder 5 misfire

Model: 98 Chevy Fault Code: P0305 Posted: 2006-11-30 20:32

Hello I have a problem with a 98 Chevy 4x4 5.7 Vortec that I think I’ve figured out. It started with the engine light being on for a while, with a slightly rough idle but otherwise ran great. Finally bought a code reader and found bank 2 sensor 2 oxygen sensor bad and a cyl 5 misfire code. Changed the oxygen sensor and since the plugs and wires were only 6 mo old I swapped the wires from cyl 5 to 7 cause they are close in length, and separated the two in the wire looms because 5 and 7 are next to each other in the firing order and next to each other physically which can sometimes induce a spark in the wrong cylinder. Then switched plug 5 for plug 1. This should eliminate the plug and wire if I get the same code. The plug that was in cyl 5 was coated heavily with ash all around the plug, a good 1/16”. This truck uses a lot of oil, on a 6h trip on the highway I’ll use 1 liter, I guessed I had some bad oil rings(230000km) Cylinder 3 had a bit of ash but not near as much as 5. Did a compression check and got 185 lbs on most some up to 190, with getting around 120lbs on the first pulse. Changed the distributor cap and reset the codes and hoped for the best. The next code that repeatedly comes up is cyl 5 misfire. I’ve read that the injectors can be a problem so the next thing I tried was to bring it in for an injector cleaning. Didn’t make much of a difference. Looked for vacuum leaks and checked with a propane tank to see if the idle would change but couldn’t find anything. After a few more beer’s, I checked the resistance of the plug wire on 5 and 7 and found 900 and 1000ohm which I think is ok and moved them around to check intermittence and found nothing wrong. More beer … With the truck idling I disconnected the passenger side valve cover vent tube from the breather, it made a huge whoosh! I’ve heard of newer motors having a negative pressure in the crankcase but this would be my first, I’m used to this being open to atmosphere. I pulled the P.C.V. valve from the cover and covered it with my hand, then reached across to the vent tube and blocked it. Oh Oooh got vacuum!! I plugged my vacuum gage to the breather tube and got 7” of vacuum. Then a loud squealing sound. I thought something got caught in the belts. I think when I plugged in my gauge I plugged the vacuum leak and was sucking air past the crank seals. Oops! Normally you should have a pressure from blow by on your rings. My problem now is the cost. I’ve got quotes of $650- $780 $220 intake gasket $70.00 upper intake gasket. $120.00 Valve cover gaskets?? Do the valve covers have to come off? Do you need to split the intake to get the intake off the motor? It seems a bit high for an intake gasket change. It may be worth doing a weekend job out of it but don't want to get into something that can't get me to work on Monday. Thanks John

Related fault codes
P0305
Comments (14)
Anonymous 2006-12-13 08:47

The intake gasket and valve cover gaskets are not the bad to do. You will spend more time cleaning the gasket surfaces than turning wrenches. I have the exact same diagnosis for my 98 5.7L Tahoe. The dealer told me the number #5 cylinder was mis-firing and it had a bad O2 sensor. They told me to replace the #5 fuel injector and replace the bank 2 sensor 2 O2 sensor. I replaced the O2 sensor and the #5 fuel injector. No improvement in the Tahoe's mis-firing problem. In the past year I have replaced a bunch of parts trying to correct this issue. Plugs, wires, cap, rotor, lower intake gasket, upper intake gasket, fuel filter, had the injectors cleaned, and more. This is starting to sound like a lot of B.S. Why is it that no one can make a proper diagnosis for this?

Anonymous 2006-12-13 10:03

I wouldn't say " no one" can diagnose it! What's the fuel pressure is it high enough? too high? bleeding off? The lines to the injectors on those engines tend to leak, especially after they've been worked on! Has a compression test been done?

Anonymous 2006-12-19 11:29

in dealing with my 5.7, the engine was abused with no oil changes for many miles. bought the truck 2nd hand and this is the second engine, so I was told. 16 years of working on marine engines has taught me that at idle (ie. city driving) if the engine uses oil the (valve gaskets or umbrella's) need replacing causing oil deposits on the plugs. if under load (ie. highway driving) if the engine uses oil the (wiper rings and/or pistion rings) are stuck with black carbon. diesel oil with the same weight parameters for the auto oil has a very high detergent to help unstick wiper ring (5 oil and filter changes have finally cleaned the wiper rings) in the engine of mine. As for the umbrella's (short of doing it your self or removing the heads and having them rebuilt) is the only answer. over heating and old age caused my umbrella's to crumble in my hands during replacement. The new problem on the market is goo buildup from (ETHANOL) 10% to 40% currently being put in fuel; now-a-days this causes plugs, valves and injectors to foul or be detroyed. may or maynot be related to auto - fiberglass tanks with ETHANOL will cause the catalyst from the resin to mix with the ETHANOL and produce a jell in the tanks, once in the fuel line and passes throught the filter to the engine and burned; when cooled it will solidify on valves and passages. what a mess and expense to non-ethanol engines. along with ethanol related issues the corn properties collect moisture (ie H2O) and carries this to the sensors and such destroying them. new filters are being produced (very large) to eliminate the water/gel from entering the engine system. very new and sales are up. wonder why.....ha ha

Anonymous 2006-12-19 18:00

hadn't heard that about ethanol but I suppose it's quite possible!

Anonymous 2015-09-11 22:19

Hey so I'm experiencing the same problem with my truck. 98 gmc 1500 5.7L I'm curious if you were able to find and fix the problem. I have replaced my valve seals anticipating that was the problem, but it did not fix it. My next thought would be the intake manifold but I'm not really looking forward to throwing money at things that won't take care of it. My issues are identical to yours other then I have noticed very little ash burning on cylinder 7, not 3.

Anonymous 2015-09-12 11:30

Spyder_Man start a NEW TOPIC post all codes - describe issue.

Anonymous 2015-09-13 09:51

I just went through the same thing as you all did except mine was a #3 misfire on a 97 5.7 it is going to be the lower intake is letting just a little bit of water in the cyl. And yes you can replace lower without putting upper, just be sure and don't get cheap on the intake gaskets buy the sure cures or some other rubber sealed gasket there are several out there.

Anonymous 2015-09-18 12:26

It seems you have proven that the intake gasket is leaking, but given the trouble I've had with these CSFI spider injectors (if you plan on keeping the truck) I would certainly spend the extra $300 to do the conversion if I had to pull intake anyway. These things will leave you stranded. Maybe do the job yourself and just spend the money on parts with new injectors. Been a couple of years since I did one of these, but I think I had to pull one or both valve covers to get intake off cleanly without fighting it.

Anonymous 2015-09-27 08:22

I just did one of these , have a high idle now that settles down , so must still have a gasket leak. But you do not have to pull valve cover for the upper intake on a 1998 5.7 chevy. if you remove the lower intake then yes, one side at least both side makes it easier. now just have figure oure out why hi idle. sprayed with carb cleaner and start fluid i couldn't tell a difference . I will try removing pvc and other tube on passenger side see if there is pressure or vacuum there I guess. P0507 code.

Anonymous 2015-11-05 13:45

I have same misfire on number 5 on a 96 GMC 5.7. has compression and spark, checked all the basics, number 5 plug is black so I did change the plugs and cap and found a hole in the pvc line and fixed it. Didn't fix my problem.

Anonymous 2015-11-05 14:06

abouttime, most posters do not return to post a fixed or not post.. we give ideas based on experience* sometimes there is a follow up often not... start a new topic- give as much info as you can someone will try to help with your issue * in this case the spider assy is a known problem and a first suspect after the basics.

Anonymous 2015-11-29 16:40

Girlfriend has a 98 chevy with the 5.7L and a intermitent misifre on cylinder 5 and dead miss on 7. I have changed plugs, wires, cap and rotor, upper intake gasket and while in there did the conversion on the fuel injection unit. It is still dumping fuel. No change. Noticed the truck uses some water from time to time. No water in the oil, but the exhaust is seems a little steamy. Only thought is lower intake at this point. Has anyone confirmed this thesis? Austin

Anonymous 2015-11-29 17:32

have you done compression test, checked for vacuum leaks....how does #7 plug look compared to others...

Anonymous 2015-12-05 17:23

My brother had the same problem. Small town mechanic took the engine apart and took pistons out and found crack in cylinder wall! It started overheating.