Cadillac CTS Running Rough (My Step By Step Diagnostic) gm 3.6 engine problems alex the car doctor

[@huberthess8449]

I have rebuilt around 30 of these 3.6 gm engines the LY7,LLT, and LFX.. pretty much all the same. I have seen the chains break and not damage the valves. What you do is remove the cam caps on the problem bank (taking all down pressure off values) and you shoot compressed air in each cylinder.. if air comes out intake or exhaust.. you guessed it (bent valves) if not your better off installing a timing chain kit.. even with bent valves, broken pistons, snapped rods.. in my opinion your best bet is overhaul the engine.. salvage yards charging 2000 to 4000 for a used engine is ridiculous considering the engine may only last a couple months.. just my opinion..

[@omarcruz7724]

Hi, is the 3.0 base model the same or better choice on long term?

[@asvpdagamer5009]

Hey boss where you local to ? Im having issues with my 04 cts 3.6L i believe its the ly7

[@BellaRocko]

Good diagnosis, Alex! You very efficiently diagnosed it correctly in the cheapest way possible for the customer. Good job! I did learn something and definitely enjoyed that. Thanks for sharing, and looking forward to more of your adventures... Thank You!

[@mlieser1230]

I would imagine there are bent valves. The head would definitely need valve guides, valves, and a valve job. New timing components on both banks. By the time you add up parts and labor a low mileage engine is definitely more cost effective. Great tip on just removing the cam sensors to check if cams are turning or not.

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Thanks for watching and the support buddy

[@dvxmudtires]

Alex i have a 2012 cts coupe base model same engine runs flawless no issues at all extremely maintained at only 68,000 original miles. When should you change the timing chains to prevent such a disaster??? Dont want this ever!

[@jackofalltrades4959]

Mane I appreciate this video a lot, I hope I’m not running into this same issue as I just bought one and it drove completely fine when I bought It …by the time I drove 30m home it got really rough a mile away from home had to pull over until I got it back going and it made it, so I guess I’ll be removing those few screws to check Cams as of now, thanks for the great video mane 💪🏾

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

My pleasure buddy thanks for watching.I wish you the best of luck I pray it’s not like the one in my video

[@masterofnone7846]

Great diagnosis!! U have talent, sir!Keep learning n getting better every day!😎Like to see your electrical shorts diagnostics 1 day!Put u to the test!😄

[@Me-bf3yk]

2011 cts 3.6 premium replaced both cats, plugs, 02 sensor and coils now getting codes p2099 with p0430 any suggestions?

[@tjsworld2338]

I have a 2016 CTs vsport and I changed the plugs and coils about a year ago but now when driving around 50 mph it is like it’s hesitating. No codes what could it be?

[@jamesmack3266]

Awesome video, great diag, very efficient!

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Thanks, appreciate you watching!

[@owenostler9603]

What might be the problem if it like won’t accelerate and only rolls most the time idk if the trans is bad or need trans fluid or sum

[@billwardphdx3]

Bro you are the man!

[@tresjolieme81]

Ive had my 08 since 08 and its made it this far in its life to where Im starting to make repairs. 2021 I've changed the starter, water pump, and power steering fluid pump. No engine problems yet and it has 125k miles, I'll retire the old girl this year though :( its time.

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

That’s awesome buddy

[@ArturoVilla-x9n]

buen dia una pregunta amigo porque no tengo chispa en ninguna de las bujias del banco 2

[@jalluin28]

I was having misfires in my 11 cts 3.0 in all of my cylinders & I found out my alternator was bad & drained my battery so I replaced both & now I can drive my car but when I come to my first complete stop sometimes my car will idle rough & my battery volt will drop to 12.2-12.6 but once I drive it, it will shoot back up to 13-14. this only happens @ my first complete stop but once I drive it around & stop again it’s running good around 13-14 volts. Any idea on what’s wrong with my car ?

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

What is the battery condition,if you have a week battery it we’ll put strain on the alternator causing a voltage drop

[@jalluin28]

@@AlexTheCarDoctor I didn’t check the volt but I bought it brand new

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

@@jalluin28 before or after the bad alternator

[@jalluin28]

@@AlexTheCarDoctor after

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

@@jalluin28 ok then your battery should be fine, Where did you get the alternator from? was it a good quality part

[@Qqqqq1234-z2j]

I added b12 chemtool to all my cylinders and didn’t realize I had to turn the engine clock wise and turned it counter clockwise multiple times and the rest of the b12 went out the engine and I changed the oil two times and Changed spark plugs any idea what happened I have a 2012 Cadillac CTs coupe awd my battery started dying fastly as well

[@zero1fifty8]

I got a 2005 CTS and recently been having issues where I can't turn on the cruise control as well as the transmission hard shifting up and down, I then park it and turn it off for a few minutes and then turn it back on and drive and everything goes back to normal, cruise control works and transmission shifts up and down fine. You think it might be something in the TCM or ECM??

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Hey there sounds like a bad connection, my suggestion is to find a good electrical shop to take it to check reviews

[@nickking1510]

Had rodents Norway rats under my hood they chewed wires passenger side near cowl next to battery for cruise control / repaired cruse ok now

[@checkneezy]

Hey @zero I have a issue with my Cadillac 05 cts can u answer a few questions for me

[@pedrotenorio1391]

Good stuff Alex! Good tips I caught on to! Keep it up homie

[@gdoggluke]

P0300 P2096 P0304 P0303 P0300 P0008 P0017 Those are the codes showing on my 08 cts, would this be the same problem as in this video?

[@Paul-xm3ds]

My cousin has a 2006 cts and beats on it a lot do you think she is gonna live long like that it has 189k km

[@theologicallife.....1103]

Thank you! Same car with same problem!!!

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

You're welcome! Glad the video could point you in the right direction! 👨🏽‍🔧

[@sAvOx2]

i got a 11 cts 3.6 awd before when it was driving it was revving super high before shifts and the idle was kind of hard, it has turned off completely now i replaced all the spark plugs and coils still not turning over what could this be?

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

It Sounds like a vacuum leak from the description you gave me and sight unseen. I recommend getting yourself a scan tool and pull the codes.

[@deionthomas8124]

What kind of compression tester is that?

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

It’s a snap-on brand

[@cityboy_ss1423]

So is misfiring cylinders is basically needing spark plugs?

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

No this one had bent valves

[@cityboy_ss1423]

Ok thx I gotta figure this out .

[@mr.mopar8193]

Hi I have a 08 CT’s 3.6l with battery issues. I thought the alternator was the problem so I replaced it but the battery negative terminal is melting the battery connector and killing the battery. Any ideas on how to fix this ground issue

[@billwardphdx3]

There is a ground wire called a pig tail that goes from the engine block to the firewall aka body of the car. Cheap to replace and may fix your ride

[@unforgiven101inc]

Can you make a video of how to Install a oilCatch Can on a 2009 Cadillac CTS 3.6...please

[@s21034]

Hey Alex I have 08 it said misfire on 4 6 bought new cam sensor didn't read nothing no more but still feel like it's missing

[@s21034]

N spark plugs n coil packs all around

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

If you have a scan tool plug it in to see if you have any codes,If not you will have to drive it around for a bit to throw codes. Send me the codes and we will go from there

[@LonnieMendezz]

Were is the fuel injector how can I replace it car is dying when Idiling any help pleaseee!!?

[@Skinnyblaq910]

@@LonnieMendezz nope he don’t answer us lil folk

[@sterlingwitherspoon5709]

Most likely a broken valve guide & chain tensioner

[@wendellgreenidge3362]

Does your scanner do relative compression test?

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Yes but I like the old fashion way

[@wendellgreenidge3362]

@@AlexTheCarDoctor I was only asking because I didn’t know scanners were even capable of doing that till 2 days ago lol

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

@@wendellgreenidge3362 I think it is a function that’s rarely use

[@wendellgreenidge3362]

@@AlexTheCarDoctor yeah I use a gauge too, I like to see actual numbers

[@fakjoo9553]

Say bro, where you find that digital compression gauge? I can't find it anywhere online. Thanks

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Hey there buddy here’s a link from Amazon amzn.to/3Vs4XBV it’s not snap on quality but it will do the job and it’s pretty cheap versus $500

[@fakjoo9553]

Well that doesnt look like the red gauge you put in front of the windshield. I take it that one was Snap On?

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

@@fakjoo9553 yes from snap on. It does more than just check pressure

[@danielmccoy8875]

Great video

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Thanks

[@TeomanTuna]

Hello alex. My cts4 2011 is turning on but engine not starting. It starts rarely for a second but very shaking. What do you think is the problem mileage 130k

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

What engine size do you have and is the check engine light on? If so, what are the codes?

[@TeomanTuna]

@@AlexTheCarDoctor 3.0L v6 also I changed the camshaft position sensors now error code dropped to one its p0391 what do you think is the problem ?

[@rick5976]

Hi Alex, my 07 CTS has a misfire on #4 that's constant P0300 & P0304. On live scanner data I can see an occasional misfire on #2 but no code for that specific cylinder. New plugs & coils did not fix the problem. I was looking at the fuel banks on live data, (at idle) bank 1 is -1 to -10% for FT Avg. while bank 2 is +1 to +12 FT avg. Is it normal for the numbers to be negative on one bank & positive on the other? I'm trying to figure out if it's a fueling issue, any thoughts? Thank You

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Is it a dead misfire? Do you feel the misfire happening all the time or at random?

[@rick5976]

@@AlexTheCarDoctor dead misfire, all the time.

[@rick5976]

@@AlexTheCarDoctor It was originally random, more when the engine was cold. As the engine warmed up it felt better. Now it’s progressed to a constant misfire that you always feel.

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

@@rick5976 have you performed a cylinder compression test?

[@rick5976]

@@AlexTheCarDoctor No, I have not done that yet.

[@joshuapriddy2383]

i have a 2010 cts, rough shifting, rough idle, bad gas mileage etc.. should i check to see if my timing chain is off? or maybe a car sensor?

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Hey there It should have a check engine light on send me the code

[@joshuapriddy2383]

oddly enough the check engine light seems to only come on when it’s cold outside. but i have the same symptoms with it off

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

@@joshuapriddy2383 you will need an expensive scanner to look at the engine graphs to determine what’s going on

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Can you send me a video of it running on Instagram

[@joshuapriddy2383]

@@AlexTheCarDoctor yes

[@sonsautomotive]

you could have run a electronic relative compression with a labscope

[@pjimmbojimmbo1990]

I had an 08 STS with the 3.6, and It had over 200,000 on it when it got written off. The only running issue I ever had was 3 coils went bad after 2016. When the First Coil went south, the Stealership also diagnosed some Codes that implied the Chains had stretched. Dealer supposedly replaced them, at GM's Expense. Overall, I had very little trouble from the DI 3.6, it was a peppy little Engine, and still gave good Gas Mileage on the Highway. The STS though, very Harsh Ride that wasn't Cadillac like at all, my Kidneys still hurt

[@NinaSharee]

I'm thinking about buying one for my dad, but need to know if they are good cars.

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

I wouldn’t say “good” I’d say they are “ok” if properly maintained. You have to baby these cars and stay on top of the maintenance. The biggest thing is the timing chain. It’s common that they go out on the 3.6 engines and is a costly repair. Hope this helps.

[@NinaSharee]

@@AlexTheCarDoctor What about a Buick Lucerne?

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

@@NinaSharee if it’s the one with the 3.8 that’s a solid engine

[@NinaSharee]

@@AlexTheCarDoctor Thank you!!

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

@@NinaSharee my pleasure did you watch my video on how to check out a car before you buy it

[@neilduncan8657]

Good job....GM's V6 engines.....the 3800 LN3 for instance was a bullet proof engine.....GM's oil change recommendation is a joke 10K??!! the 3.6 is a shame...when the older pushrod V6 engines where very good yes! I agree start bolts by hand My rides...2.2 1999 camry...bullet proof (280K) my other ride is a 1984 Datsun 200sx with mild built ford 302 swap 5 speed do all my own work except alignments, tire mount balance and exhaust work would not own a direct injection engine ever time to LS swap that caddy

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

100% agree with you buddy sounds like you know your stuff

[@omarcruz7724]

Is the 3.0 base model the same or better on a long-term?

[@Jonny.stacks713]

Alex please help me I gotta 03 cts engine power reduced then it runs rough then it runs fine idk man on and off over and over agai n

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Hey there is the check engine light on,the first step is to get me the codes and we can go from there

[@Jonny.stacks713]

@@AlexTheCarDoctor will do 🫡

[@Jonny.stacks713]

@@AlexTheCarDoctor ok sorry for the delay the codes are p2176 and p0700

[@korgothkillings2032]

That's what she said.

[@-mejor-que-nostradamus-6152]

GM Mechanics Laughing Of You, Just Saw Your Video Until Diagnostic Only And Never Touch GM Vehicles, Car Has Nothing In The Codes, This Is A BAD ECM Man, I Fixed Them For More Than 10 Years. Amén.

[@moshet842]

Clearly jumped timing. The problem cylinders are all on the same bank.

[@demetriuswilliams465]

My 2008 Cadillac CTS is running rough

[@vistagreen4804]

Hi Sir, I'm having the same problem. 2,4,6 is showing missing and injector problems. I can see my cams moving. Do you have any advise?

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

It’s hard to say without seeing it but it may be fuse related or corroded wires or damaged injector harness did the problem start out of the blue

[@mrgreenkurtis]

@@AlexTheCarDoctor yes I was at a complete stop. Once I took off it was shaking from the misfiring.

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

@@mrgreenkurtis run a compression test starting off The diagnostic process

[@vistagreen4804]

@@AlexTheCarDoctor Thanks so much, I was told the timing jumped. But after watching and listening to you. I did my checks only to find I had a blown fuse for bank 2.

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

@@vistagreen4804 awesome I’m so glad you didn’t spend unnecessary money

[@kingdavid3194]

Bruh you are Cycle Cruza aren't you? I can tell by your voice 😅😅😅 he is a motorcycle vloger and you sound just like him. Never seen his face but I think that's your other youtube account lol

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

😂🤣😂 I love Cycle Cruza lol but it’s not me 👀

[@nova3919]

Can you check my cts

[@downtownNYClive]

Oof 5 psi gave me anxiety

[@curtisstephens5480]

Definitely bent valves, broken phaser or 2, out of time..... Ask me how I know🤣

[@wildwoodtop]

Curtis 😲

[@quikwen]

So it don't take 2 hours at the dealer to diagnose a car😡😡😡

[@AlexTheCarDoctor]

Lol not really, unless it’s needs a little more diving into. If that’s the case, then I’ll speak with the customer before hand