Rocket Man's 02 Denali Build Thread AKA "THE BEAST"

[Rocket Man]

Hey Mark, which smoke machine did you buy? I was thinking about picking one up too as I might have a small one somewhere. I've seen guys use propane and watch the O2 sensors to check for leaks and of course the fuel trims but watching the O2 sensors is quicker.

Its just a little homemade looking one off Amazon that I paid $100 for. You could probably make it for $20 in parts but I just wanted something that works and the reviews all said this one does.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XHRBKTM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Onebad1983]

****** better be, ****** new guy... ****... when will they learn...

I think u just set a record for how many times you can say **** in one sentence lol

 

[swathdiver]

Thanks, saw that but did not want to get a compressor. Think there is a way to attach it to a tire compressor for when needed?

 

[Rocket Man]

Thanks, saw that but did not want to get a compressor. Think there is a way to attach it to a tire compressor for when needed?

It does say "any compressor" so I would think so.

 

[Rocket Man]

Ok so I tried the smoke machine a couple days ago. I disconnected the intake and put a latex glove over the intake tube, then disconnected the brake booster hose which goes right into the side of the blower and hooked the machine up there. After about 5 minutes I saw smoke coming out of where the intake tube attaches to the TB, and another small amount from a hole plug in the same tube. But that was it. No smoke from the intake or blower anywhere. I thought maybe that was enough to cause my problem but I also doubted it. I sealed the hole plug and let it sit overnight so the silicone would set. Yesterday I changed the fuel filter and poured some injector cleaner in the tank, reinstalled everything and had a look at the misfires. No difference. I was noticing on my Tech 2 that the misfires were at cylinders 6 and 7, opposite sides of the engine. Today I decided to concentrate on troubleshooting #7 since it was the worst and also was more accessible due to the way the blower is built- it hangs over the passenger side so you can't get to the fuel rail, etc. I had already installed new plugs, so I swapped out the MSD coil for one of my old stock ones. No difference. I swapped #3 and #7 fuel injectors. No difference. I had pulled the wheels off the front and lowered it down to get ready for pulling the blower when I thought that the only thing I hadn't swapped out was the plug wires. They were MSD Superconductor and only 6 months old, plus I had looked at both ends of them when I changed plugs. I really didn't think they were the problem. I pulled #7 and pulled back the heat sleeve and there it was. Fried wire. I had part of a set of ACDelco's so I swapped it out and had a look at the Tech 2. No misfires on #7. Then I pulled #6 and saw the same thing. I swapped in a new wire and no more misfires on #6. I let it run for awhile and it looked good on the Tech 2, and felt way smoother than it has been in awhile. I just got back from a test run and it's fixed. The Beast is back!!! I'm so relieved.

 

[PG01]

Moral of the story... always use oem parts?

Glad you got her goin again red...

 

[95escahoe]

Ok so I tried the smoke machine a couple days ago. I disconnected the intake and put a latex glove over the intake tube, then disconnected the brake booster hose which goes right into the side of the blower and hooked the machine up there. After about 5 minutes I saw smoke coming out of where the intake tube attaches to the TB, and another small amount from a hole plug in the same tube. But that was it. No smoke from the intake or blower anywhere. I thought maybe that was enough to cause my problem but I also doubted it. I sealed the hole plug and let it sit overnight so the silicone would set. Yesterday I changed the fuel filter and poured some injector cleaner in the tank, reinstalled everything and had a look at the misfires. No difference. I was noticing on my Tech 2 that the misfires were at cylinders 6 and 7, opposite sides of the engine. Today I decided to concentrate on troubleshooting #7 since it was the worst and also was more accessible due to the way the blower is built- it hangs over the passenger side so you can't get to the fuel rail, etc. I had already installed new plugs, so I swapped out the MSD coil for one of my old stock ones. No difference. I swapped #3 and #7 fuel injectors. No difference. I had pulled the wheels off the front and lowered it down to get ready for pulling the blower when I thought that the only thing I hadn't swapped out was the plug wires. They were MSD Superconductor and only 6 months old, plus I had looked at both ends of them when I changed plugs. I really didn't think they were the problem. I pulled #7 and pulled back the heat sleeve and there it was. Fried wire. I had part of a set of ACDelco's so I swapped it out and had a look at the Tech 2. No misfires on #7. Then I pulled #6 and saw the same thing. I swapped in a new wire and no more misfires on #6. I let it run for awhile and it looked good on the Tech 2, and felt way smoother than it has been in awhile. I just got back from a test run and it's fixed. The Beast is back!!! I'm so relieved.

View attachment 194986 View attachment 194987 View attachment 194988 View attachment 194989 View attachment 194990

Glad it was an easy fix


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[00'BlueSteel]

Gotta love chasing misfires. Glad to see it was something simple.

Mine was running rough last year and I messed around for months with it and finally was under it one day with it running cause I was listening for another noise I kept hearing and looked up and saw the driver side rear most spark plug shaking around....it had been loose the whole time! What a slap in the face that I didn’t notice it earlier but it ran fine when the spark plugs would like wedge itself in place for awhile so it made it near impossible to figure out unless you just happened to be there looking at it like I was.


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[Rocket Man]

Moral of the story... always use oem parts?

Glad you got her goin again red...

Not necessarily. I switched from ACDelco plug wires because every time I changed plugs or pulled the wires, a couple of the ends would stay attached to the plugs no matter how careful I was. I read that the MSD's didn't do that and so far they haven't. The problem is the headers, period. Even with the heat shields it looks like this will be an ongoing problem. I will experiment with methods to keep the wires away from the headers but for those 2 cylinders and the way the headers are, I'll be swapping wires every once in awhile. I'll just keep a few extras on hand. I already ordered the MSD's again and thanks to Amazon Prime they will be here tomorrow. I left my inner fender liners out since I need to access my plugs through the wheel wells with the headers on.

Gotta love chasing misfires. Glad to see it was something simple.

Mine was running rough last year and I messed around for months with it and finally was under it one day with it running cause I was listening for another noise I kept hearing and looked up and saw the driver side rear most spark plug shaking around....it had been loose the whole time! What a slap in the face that I didn’t notice it earlier but it ran fine when the spark plugs would like wedge itself in place for awhile so it made it near impossible to figure out unless you just happened to be there looking at it like I was.


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The wires and plugs on these, at least a couple even in the stock configuration, aren't easy to get to. Mine, with the headers, are even more so.

 

[Tonyrodz]

I had a similar issue of burning wires because of my headers. I have those heat boots/socks too, supposed to be rated up to 900 degrees, but still burned. I bought Taylor racing wires, which have the shorter angled boots. Those along with some zip ties have fixed the problem for me.