Wet EGR - stumbling acceleration- perfect at idle.

[david3100]

This is a 94 Cutlass 3100. It's been running like a top for several months. We pulled away from a stop sign and it sounded like it was running on 4 cylinders. I could let off the throttle feathering it and it would smooth out as if all 6 were firing. I opened the hood and noticed wet oil on the base of the egr. I was able to make it back to my garage- about 40 miles. I pulled the egr valve and there's evidence of coolant, also. I have not had to add coolant so far. I swapped a spare egr and test drove it. At first. it ran well. Then, began to exhibit the same fouled plug symptoms. I pulled that egr and only noticed coolant. All 6 plugs are dry. Even when it was sputtering under slight acceleration, it would later idle smoothly as usual. What would you suspect?

Thanks,
David

[robertisaar]

from the sounds of it, somehow coolant is making it's way into the exhaust and when the PCM command the EGR to open, it starts sucking it in through the EGR passage in the intake.

i would drive it as little as possible due to(what i'm assuming you're running the classic green coolant since it's a 94) coolant having some form of silica in it, which kills O2 sensors pretty quickly.

the simplest thing to do is to remove the electrical connction from the EGR if you have to drive it so it doesn't send any more coolant through the system.

if it is somehow still wanting to run horrible with the electrical connection disconnected, you have other issues.

[david3100]

Thanks for the reply. I' ve started a teardown but did not want to go to far until I heard from you guys. I can't drive it this way since I would get run over. Besides, if it has water and oil together anywhere, something is wrong.
I suspect the intake gaskets, but when they went South before, it happened quickly. This is different. Yes, I am using the green coolant. Anyone else had this happen with a 3100 or 3.1?

[david3100]

The lower intake wasn't holding torque. Replaced LIM gaskets and AC spark plugs. Still sputters like it's not running on all 6. ?????????

[SappySE107]

Check your PCV?

[david3100]

Well, I had two different things going on. My LIM gaskets started to leak. Also, one of my coils went bad.
Thanks for your help.