Oldsmobile 88 Shudders and Dies at Idle P0102 plus Evap small Leak P0442

This 1999 Oldsmobile 88 is running poorly. It dies at idle and runs rough at low RPM. It also has an Evap leak, a crusty heat shield, and wiring issues. We get it all fixed up and back on the road!
Sorry, I forgot to address the P1811, which is actually a transmission code. I will refer him to a transmission expert for that!

[@mikenaples4046]

“That should stay there until at least the end of the video.” That was pretty good.

[@ditherdather]

I swear, equally as much as I love listening to the thorough explanations of things and appreciate your desire to really fix things the right way, I also really love that you do extra little things like the way your secured that man's heat shield. Totally didn't have to do that and many mechanics wouldn't have, but that's part of what makes you so different. You clearly have a passion for keeping people in good shape when they hit the road. It matters to you. That's freaking awesome.

[@armoricain]

Wes has virtue, integrity and ethics, and his automotive knowledge and skills are astounding! He is an absolute gem!

[@kutamsterdam]

Glad you gave up on your "silent project" Wes👍😊, you are spoiling us though, you're gonna post every day?! ... any case ... it again was nice to watch you work🛠 and thanks for that.

[@WatchWesWork]

I've been trying to do more videos. It's a struggle for me!

[@kutamsterdam]

@@WatchWesWork Than throttle back a little, better fewer video's than high blood pressure and one day throwing the towel.

[@alex4alexn]

@@WatchWesWork it wouldnt be as much a struggle if you would let us pay you for them :)

[@danssmokintreasures]

@@WatchWesWork Your videos rock. Go break your neighbors car and fix it :)

[@michaelswart9236]

I have a 97 buick park avenue ultra with the supercharged 3800 and I love it to bits. Super luxurious, very comfortable, spacious, smooth, and with 300k miles it still purrs like a kitten, starts every time, and runs like hell. Best car I've ever owned

[@Col-Hogan]

Very well done! As a 43 year GM tech/EV tech, you presented this evap concern perfectly! And also, the MAP sensors on the 3.8L do suck! They have caused many a tech misery!

[@kenuber4766]

When im 97, I want to still be driving just to get even with the world!! Hahaha

[@jlucasound]

Awesome! I still want to be riding at 97. Freak everyone out!

[@dannyhubert9477]

I hope god takes me wind I’m 97

[@kenuber4766]

Hehehe "Watch Wes Wire" !! Love your work.

[@jlucasound]

Priceless, Ken! :-)

[@bjadkins2314]

Glad you got your voice back.

[@NoWr2Run]

NOICE COMMENT, SIR.

[@waterbourne9282]

Agree on the 3M electrical tape being superior to lots of others in my experience. I've been using it for a couple of decades now and hove found to have the best mix of stretch and tear, longevity, stickiness, etc. As well as electrical work I used to use yellow and a marker pen for temporary label tags during upgrades and to mark out plinths for mounting equipment rack locations on. A very handy product, always some handy around here. Nice product 3M.

[@97marqedman]

I once looked at an almost-new 07 F150 that would barely run…no power, idled poorly, all sorts of weird drivability issues. Ran like a champ with the MAF unplugged. Pulled it out and inspected it: there was a mosquito stuck to the hot-wire in the MAF. Cleaned it off (it was cooked-on), reset adaptive trims, and it ran like a top. Never seen that before and haven’t seen it since. Hilarious. Edited to add: I LOVE evap diagnosis! Everyone in my shop hates doing them and I gladly take em all, even back when I was still flatrate. They’re an interesting system, and every manufacturer does it a little different. Fun fact: the old ford escorts could (and would) happily idle the engine on the vapors from the purge valve alone.

[@Loganlanfear21]

Lifetime warranty and it’s built in the USA? Yeah I would have done the same thing

[@GABMENDEZ]

Nice of the parts guy to suggest it.

[@jlucasound]

I would in a second, too, Logan! So true Gabriel! I have found it to be somewhat common, but some clerks just don't care, or know.

[@mattmopar440]

@@GABMENDEZ I use to shop at Napa all the time not because their parts are any better but because the guy behind the counter was amazing at this stuff. The original owner died his son took over fired the guy he went off to work at a dealership and that Napa closed down shortly after because everyone I knew stopped going there.

[@consaka1]

yeah but its only good for the lifetime of the sensor. When the sensor quits its lifetime is over. :)

[@GiordanDiodato]

with parts made in China

[@richardcline1337]

I used to own a 2004 Buick LeSabre with the 3.8 engine. One of the GREATEST cars I have ever owned. It did give me a "wake up call" one day when the Check Engine Light came on. Dealer was too busy to test the cat but as I was headed back to the house OnStar called me on the car's system and told me to pull over and tighten the gas cap! I did and by the time I needed fuel again the light had shut off. I NEVER had one issue with that car outside of normal maintenance and a new battery. The only reason I sold that car was the fact that I was retiring, had a new Ford Ranger pickup, and could not justify both vehicles since I am a widower. I live out in the county so the truck just made more sense to keep. Every time I see one of those cars on the road I think about that old Buick. About the ONLY thing GM has gotten right in the last three or four decades!

[@88GTi]

Saturday and Sunday Magic two weeks in a row! That's a lot of work! Much appreciated Wes...You are awesome!

[@WatchWesWork]

You bet!

[@kylegershman4668]

"Hey, if you want me to take a dump in a box and mark it guaranteed, I will. I got spare time."

[@nickpopelka]

Great movie

[@brockwagner939]

Should've got a quality Callahan auto part

[@ScottHiland]

Laughed out loud when the self tapper went through the subframe.

[@markpeacock6345]

This is why I love this channel, you learn something new each time. I didn’t even know what an EVAP system was. Cheers. 🇬🇧

[@paulsilva3346]

YOU'VE HIT THE BIG TIME.!.!.! 8 COMMERCIALS Plus in this educational video.! Well done you UNICORN Herder.!

[@WatchWesWork]

Hmm. That's a little ridiculous. I can cut a few of those out. Stand by.

[@paulsilva3346]

@@WatchWesWork Indicates your Heap Big U-tuber...

[@jessewatt3613]

I feel your pain. In my Neck of the woods we are in the salt belt as well. Ontario Canada. Always baffled me how they treat the roads with what eats cars profusely. Rock on Wes your awsome! Love your vids.

[@blackscotydog]

Love the way you explain things and show what readings you should be getting on the autel,this really helps me as a diy er and the great part of this is I have the autel DS 808 about the same as yours just no bluetooth. please don`t change a thing!

[@warrantyvoid100]

My parole officer would be proud of me, with my Olds 88 and the devil on a leash. (Tom Waits, Going Out West)

[@lucaspoole79]

Keep the commentary coming Wes! Not all of us have a through understanding of a cars innards. Your descriptions are informative and educational to us all. Keep doing what you're doing and enjoy it! Cheers from Manitoba, Canada.

[@niteninja0133]

Thank god you're talking through your videos, usually see gas caps on the Tahoe's and suburban, the lips rusts and wrecks the seal of the cap, sand the gas neck and replace the fuel cap

[@disarm2k10]

Maybe not with an angle grinder tho, if you do please record this!

[@slowride55]

SMA-Midwest edition.

[@bluegrallis]

I spent 45 minutes talking with the owner of that SLED yesterday. He's happy it won't be dying on him when he drives up the road to look at the corn's progress in the 'North 40'.

[@WatchWesWork]

Yeah, we need to keep him on the road!

[@IronTuber727]

Your content is one of the best I know of. You've actually stepped ahead of mustie in my opinion. You explaining the electric parts are very very interesting. Keep it up👍👍

[@WatchWesWork]

Wow, thanks!

[@matttradie1341]

So, my parents bought a VN Holden commodore in 1989, which had that same engine. Indestructible. 700 thousand km. Only thing that it needed was an alternator, the harmonic balancer and a coil pack in all those years. Regular servicing and you won’t have a problem. There was a Taxi in Darwin made the papers that did over a million km. Brilliant engine.

[@willb3018]

Watch Wes Teach. I feel like I am always employing remote learning when I watch Wes. Love it.

[@dans_Learning_Curve]

Always enjoy listening to your past experiences! After watching the JD head gasket replacement, *respect gained!*

[@nicholasatkinson6941]

Your channel is slowly becoming one of my favorite channels to watch. Keep the videos coming.

[@WatchWesWork]

As long as it doesn't happen too fast!

[@airindiana]

Absolutely love this channel. The diagrams you draw to explain what’s what are ace. Really enjoy that aspect of the vids.

[@MC-ft8zv]

Really enjoying the mix of videos you are giving us, tractors, cars etc..keep it up and thanks!!

[@bostedtap8399]

Very interesting on the EVAP circuit/system, love the brain analogy on the PCM. Great vlog thanks for sharing. Regards John.

[@adamdnewman]

Yep Life was better when the cars had only 1 brain fighting for control. LOL

[@amundson1942]

I really like to learn about today's engines. My engine repair work experience is from the late 1950s to the early 1970s. Keep up the good work!

[@jafo9346]

NICE explanation -- and drawing -- of the EVAP system. I finally understand it! Also my wife took her Toyota Corolla to the dealer for her check engine light; they told her it was the EVAP system but not to worry; all she would need is a new gas cap! I kid you not. And NO that didn't rectify the problem. No unicorn here! Thanks Wes, for another great video.

[@philbohrman3918]

As a new subscriber I enjoy the detail without fully understanding it. I understand your thought process and I'll be looking forward to other projects you're working on.

[@Military-Museum-LP]

Good and informative video Wes! I love your designs that you use to explain what your doing. Thanks Wes.

[@jtthill5475]

Best and most prophetic humor on the web, lasting till the end of the video, or till the unicorns come home. Thanks for sharing.

[@boubaros]

Great work as always Wes. I think once per week is the perfect timing for you and for us...lol. Even a small video would be enough. Also, it was kind of a surprise to learn that you do not dive into automatic transmissions since I 've watched you fix almost everything.

[@superdad2150]

I love how he trashes to customers cars verbally and some of his memes he puts on his video heads it just makes you crack up laughing I look forward to watching every video over and over it never gets boring

[@Mustardoable]

Another interesting vid, learnt about evap systems. Those 3800 V6 are great Holden here in Australia used them a lot in RWD config, the odometer on my 96 manual VS wagon broke a while back at 335,000km and apart from a gearbox input shaft rumble it seems to run good as new!

[@richo220665]

Thats not the Buick motor they finished in the The VR its the upgraded ECOTEC motor much better engine I had VS a well they had sequential fuel injection Holden spent over 3 million $ redeveloping that motor

[@grantmelcher1830]

3.8’s are bulletproof!!!! Really enjoying the older videos l haven’t seen yet!

[@phillipdean9879]

Wes we had these motors in our Holden Commodores, great motors. Plenty power, reliable, and economical! When you looked at that exhaust shield I thought tex screws and that’s what you did! Great minds! Gday from Mulwala Australia 🇦🇺🍺🍺

[@rogercpate4386]

Thanks for the car vid. Wow, winter's take toll on undersides of vehicles in your part of the world. Interesting commentary on the EVAP system. Love the videos, keep them coming.

[@WatchWesWork]

Salt and gravel roads.

[@FireTex1]

Glad you decided on Made in USA !

[@blazeandcyrus]

I've seen and owned several of those GMs, funny how recognizable its sound is to me. Love watching these videos with real rust belt cars. Oh yeah, self tapping screws are awesome!

[@KeepingitAnalog]

I really enjoy your videos, they are refreshing. Not a parts changer but a true mechanic!

[@WatchWesWork]

Thanks 👍

[@KeepingitAnalog]

@@WatchWesWork What brand scan tool do you recommend?

[@danaitch3880]

And now I understand the Evap problems on the Wife's '98 Park Avenue - thanks. Enjoy the diagrams! Going over the problems with the 3.8 at the end, the intake manifold / EGR pipe problem is precisely what happen to ours, on I70, in Kansas @midnight, @70mph.

[@JoeHynes284]

love the narration. The cumulative effect of evap emissions can be quite enormous :)

[@JP-kk5vw]

Wes, great video! Still driving a 2003 Buick Park Ave Ultra! 3.8 S/C. Tank! Got it from a lady who drove it new to church and supermarket. Nice!

[@dandaurora3274]

Great explanation on the evap system, I have a much better understanding of it now. Used to have Suburban that would throw a fault code when there were extreme temp changes outside. I’d just clear it and it stay off, now I know what was going on. Thank you!!

[@Maysin777]

Gotta like the easy fixes! Good job Wes ! I did the same with a vw beetle...lifetime spark box....can't go wrong!

[@albertastorms]

I had a 1987 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight, best car ever had, that sucker was super reliable. Can’t say the same for my brother’s 2007 Mazda 3.

[@craigsudman4556]

Hey Wes great trouble shooting on the mass air sensor. When ever I go into the auto parts store I always ask for the lifetime warranty parts if they have them; I tend to keep my vehicles for a long time so that policy tends to pay off, especially because I've installed the part myself. Great video, thumbs up.

[@markbd5]

Excellent videos good content I definitely look forward to your videos coming out every week as for the people saying don't talk if they want to learn something without words I suggest they read a book KZbin is definitely not for them your a genuine dude not a fake car builder that gets some shop to do the work then says look what I paid for on some crap vlog 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@psavel274]

Good old "tap test" works good for diag when it comes to sensors, relays, solenoids, etc... lmao. Those are the types of 'boats' that a buddy of mine and I called "hoppers." Hit the gas then brake hard enough combined with the extra soft suspension and those old GM boats would hop like crazy! My buddy's favorite was the Park Ave. He was 'hopping' it so hard it was smacking the exhaust. All of this while he was a valet! The stuff us car guys were amused by in our younger years! The evap leaks (when small enough) can be a real bitch to track down without a smoke machine. Usually they're on top of the tank thanks to the rodents looking for a place to live. The birds are getting big! Apparently they like your scrap pile, and look like they're quite comfortable in there. Great video as always Wes! Keep em coming!

[@WatchWesWork]

The birds are on their own now!

[@nickdeiters4690]

"Guys, im warning you, im really not the best with evap systems..." -Proceeds to flawlessly profess fundamentals of evap systems Dude, we all wish we had your brain. Your humble attitude is something I wish I saw in more people. Keep up the good work and thanks for the lesson!

[@jondavidmcnabb]

“He’s a tough old boy”, best customer description yet.

[@stephenferguson6020]

I admit I did chuckle when your 5th screw went practically through the heat shield. Rust.....mutter mumble grumble gripe ;)

[@frankscarservice1911]

Love your videos. Specially with your explanations. Thanks a lot.

[@joshjablonicky171]

This is one of my first cars and I owned. And I had similar problems when I had it I wish you we're making videos then I probably would have wasted so much time but then again it was a learning curve. Keep up the great videos Wes. The commentary is great. I learned a lot from watching you already thank you and have a great day!

[@superdad2150]

Definitely keep the comedy going like when you got scared when you saw the rusty Dodge playing Sherlock Holmes never get tired of cracking up when I see you have your silhouette picture with the white ford in the background and you say where's my matches! That is just half the enjoyment of the channel very high entertainment value

[@erickieffer8440]

I’d like to say that I like your diagrams and discussions on how what ever works.

[@ash7700]

Pretty straight forward, though we did have a man child interruption and two avian interludes. No spouse, and no hound, though. Still, an "A" rated clip! Already looking forward to the next one! Thanks, Wes!

[@thomasbrown9402]

Don't forget the hand drawn schematic

[@Clark_Harber]

Hey Wes, really liking the frequent uploads. Know it is not easy and sure appreciate ya! btw, like the rolling commentary type vids much better. As others have said love your sense of humor too!

[@WatchWesWork]

Glad you like them!

[@Shagnasty]

This was a informative video. Glad you explained everything.

[@Bodhranarama]

Nice video. Thanks for explaining the evap system.👍

[@christinamoneyhan5688]

Wes, wow I certainly received an education today! Thank you. I saw a 3.8 super charged factory engine in a Oldsmobile. That engine really Thad the get up and go.

[@macdrew77]

I bought a Park Avenue Ultra with the supercharged 3.8 a few years back. Best car i've ever had hands down!

[@randyanderson4360]

You'll be blessed in the long run for paying special attention to the ol' guys olds(93huh) my granma is exactly that keep up the good work

[@ericheberer3720]

Thanks for the narration, much better than your last silent film.

[@littlewingpsc27]

Thanks for the diagram on the evap system. My 76 FJ40 project needed a charcoal canister put back in the system when a 2F engine was swapped back in, and I was wondering what that was for in the fuel system. Now I know what it is for, and why it is there. Great explanation.

[@WatchWesWork]

I didn't know it went that far back.

[@terryezzell7376]

I am so glad that we in Georgia don't encounter very much salt. Every blue moon Metro Atlanta area may put out some if we get snow or ice, but mainly only on the interstates. Got a 2001 Toyota Sequoia with almost 300,000 miles on it, and the underside and body still looks great

[@garybradley8798]

Thanks for the tip on the evap system. Great Video

[@markdavich5829]

Rust never sleeps. I'm real happy to live in AZ. Right there with ya on loving those 3800s - I'm particular to the 3100s/3400s too.

[@WatchWesWork]

Heat never sleeps...

[@markdavich5829]

@@WatchWesWork Yeah, you're absolutely right about that. LOL

[@mattbrown429]

Glad there's no silent treatment in this episode thanks mate keep up the good work 🇦🇺

[@MRrwmac]

Wes, I heard a good and old (working on engines 46 years) say the same thing about those engines! BTW, when you popped the fuel cap off, I did see one of the small fairy unicorns fly by.

[@castvee8]

A big thumbs up for this one-just nice to have you talking again!

[@vincebrown5158]

I want you working on my vehicles...you always go the extra mile for your customers...BTW...glad you are back to commenting during your videos.

[@goodxrvn2053]

Glad we are back to a "talkie". Thanks for another entertaining and useful video.

[@FrankLassowski]

Thanks for talking me through your work ;-) I like it that way.

[@TechGorilla1987]

There is an entire industry dedicated to recovering the vapors from underground storage tanks lost through the venting process. When I was in the business, it war fraught with issues. This was separate from the vapor-recovery systems installed at the nozzle at some fuel dispensers.

[@josh33025]

I like things explained to me glad to hear your voice again.

[@KeepitLow55]

Watching all your videos since this Covid crap came along.. You are one smart guy please keep them coming,

[@butler386]

Salada stuff under the hood and computer stuff. Car has seen its better days. Keep her running for the old guy if you can. Thanks for sharing. As usual the cost of repair is in the diagnosing and labor. Thanks for sharing.

[@erneststanley4854]

Almost out the door. Headed to Harbor Freight. Got a notification. Well gotta watch this video first. Keep up the good work.

[@WatchWesWork]

Pick up a Braun work light while you are there.

[@jimcady9037]

Sheet metal screws fix many thing. Good to see a video with narration. Take care see you on the next one.

[@beezalbub7325]

My friend owns a 2003 buick park Avenue. Two years ago he got a p0442 code which as you know is the small evap leak. He went to the parts store to get the code read, they recommended a new fuel cap the code has not returned. I own an 03 park Avenue with the supercharged 3.8L approximately 18 months ago I also got the p0442 code. I took mine to my mechanic for the smoke test turns out it was the gas cap too. While probably not the most common problem I dont think it's the unicorn you think it is. Funny you mentioned the maf sensor being a known issue, both cars I mentioned also have new maf sensors you're spot on. Keep up the great videos thanks

[@WatchWesWork]

I guess it's just me. I scratch my brain to remember and actual defective cap.

[@beezalbub7325]

It might be the only 3 in the world idk, please keep up the videos sans the silent ones. Haters gonna a hate regardless

[@45AMT]

Your right about the good ole 3800 best GM engine made!

[@jamesdearman814]

i am ecstatic to learn anything about this stuff- and - you explain well. i'm jealous - your cursive script is very legible.

[@horstszibulski19]

Great analysis and repair on that job! For the thing with electrical tape, the main brand here in Germany is "Coroplast" for these, but not for me as I found out, that the glue on it is conductive! Wrapped a piece of it around all of the contacts of a relay, it switched through as sonn as I put power to the circuit...I wrapped each contact post seperately and the problem was gone... :-D Thx for your vids, please no no-talking vids, I imagine working with you in your shop, not talking to each other would be really strange.. :-D

[@graken22]

Just love that 3.8L v6 motor.

[@wickedxe]

Very interesting, in Australia our 3800 GM V6 uses a totally different MAF and they pretty much never fail

[@cousinit1844]

Don't ask me why, but I like your videos. Thank goodness for Wes during the lockdown.lol

[@DangerousSportsForSeniors]

You have to be over 70 to own that car. Thanks for hard work and the extra videos.

[@WatchWesWork]

Well the owner certainly qualifies!

[@TheFlyingBusman]

Makes sense to me. Buy something junk that you can swap again for more junk in 2 years FOC. It’s the gift that just keeps giving. Car Wizard likes these old Buick engined kit too. Good to see something in the workshop again with paint on it 😂. Another good vid Wes, cheers.

[@peteraitken6494]

Your the man wes awesome work as usual 👍👍👌

[@billbly1691]

Thank you for talking love your channel look forward to seeing your videos thanks

[@blairforce1755]

Vacuum leaks? Dad worked at Buick City and that motor was legendary. Runs so good they did away with it.

[@jlucasound]

All the good products always get "shelved". No profit in reliability. We can't have anything nice.

[@wagil90]

@@jlucasound the Japanese don't have a problem with keeping good ol reliable around

[@deancurry8841]

I learnd how to correctly wire watching your video

[@tectalabyss]

Hi Wes. Great to see another video with speech, " Winner ! " : ) Great to see the robins doing well. Great job on the Oldsmobile. Love those 3.8's and even the 3.1's at least the 3.1 I had was good. Has always Sir Liked,shared. All my best.

[@WatchWesWork]

Yeah the 2.8 and 3.1 were also pretty good.

[@sexysammij1]

I love the Buick V6, they have been fitted to Australian Holden Commodore's for over a decade from 1989 through to 2003ish. My car is a 1999 VT Holden Commodore V6 auto. Big difference for us is out here our cars were still rear wheel drive for most variations up until very recently......

[@WatchWesWork]

I've never seen the 3.8 as a RWD. That would be pretty cool. We did get a Holden model here sold as the Pontiac GTO back in the early 2000s. Had the LS1 engine. Those were awesome cars.

[@johnhnetkovsky8917]

@@WatchWesWork Camaro had 3800,I had a 99 with that engine also Grand National Buick and others.