Engine light on throwing codes p300 and 306

Tiny
MELLZZERZZ
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 BUICK LA CROSSE
  • 3.8L
  • V8
  • 199,999 MILES
Engine light is on, codes are p0300 random multiple cylinder miss fire and p0306 cylinder 6 misfire.
I have replaced the spark wires and plugs. I replaced all 3 coil packs and the ICM, put in a new purge valve. And I'm still throwing these codes.
Every once in awhile I'm smelling a faint smell of fuel.
I didn't replace all of this at once. I replaced these parts one at a time.
Could it possibly be the ignition module wiring?
I believe it's a fuel type issue, but I'm being told it can't be. The guy working on my car is telling me that it's an electrical issue but he hasn't actually checked anything with diagnostics tools.
He's doing the work for free so I'm only throwing money at parts. And in his defense 2 of the coil packs were completely fried, the spark plugs and wires were also bad. The icm probably didn't need replaced. I'm no mechanic but the fuel smell is up under the hood and not near the tank or under the car. I see no leakage of fuel anywhere. Could it be my injectors?
I bought the car by some rip off jerk. I've had to put almost $1,500.00 into this car already. I don't want to buy wires if they're not what I need. Please help. The car has just under two hundred thousand miles. I don't drive the car at all. But I need my vehicle badly, I've also had to fix and replace 3 oil leaks (oil leaks were found by legit mechanic who showed me exactly where the leaks were). I've only had the car a few months. I only got to drive it home and it's been sitting since. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 10:26 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,371 POSTS
Hi,

The idea that the misfire is specific to cylinder 6 and the vehicle has a lot of miles on it, there is a chance that the engine compression is lower in that one cylinder. To check would require doing an engine compression test. Here is a link that shows how that is done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

Here are the directions specific to your vehicle:

2006 Buick LaCrosse V6-3.8L VIN 2
Component Tests and General Diagnostics
Vehicle Powertrain Management Tune-up and Engine Performance Checks Compression Check Testing and Inspection Component Tests and General Diagnostics
COMPONENT TESTS AND GENERAL DIAGNOSTICS
Engine Compression Test

Tools Required
J38722 Compression Tester

A compression pressure test of the engine cylinders determines the condition of the rings, the valves, and the head gasket.
1. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature. The battery must be at or near full charge.
2. Turn the engine OFF.

3. Disable the ignition.

Important: Remove the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and the ignition fuses from the I/P fuse block.

4. Disable the fuel systems.
5. Remove the spark plugs from all the cylinders.
6. Remove the air duct from the throttle body.
7. Block the throttle plate in the open position.

pic 1

8. Measure the engine compression, using the following procedure:
1. Firmly install J38722 to the spark plug hole.
2. Have an assistant crank the engine through at least four compression strokes in the testing cylinder.
3. Check and record the readings on J38722 at each stroke.
4. Disconnect J38722.
5. Repeat the compression test for each cylinder.

9. Record the compression readings from all of the cylinders.
The lowest reading should not be less than 70 percent of the highest reading.
No cylinder reading should be less than 689 kPa (100 psi).

10. The following are examples of the possible measurements:
When the compression measurement is normal, the compression builds up quickly and evenly to the specified compression on each cylinder.
When the compression is low on the first stroke and tends to build up on the following strokes, but does not reach the normal compression, or if the compression improves considerably with the addition of three squirts of oil, the piston rings may be the cause.
When the compression is low on the first stroke and does not build up in the following strokes, or the addition of oil does not affect the compression, the valves may be the cause.
When the compression is low on two adjacent cylinders, or coolant is present in the crankcase, the head gasket may be the cause.

11. Remove the block from the throttle plate.
12. Install the air duct to the throttle body.
13. Install the spark plugs.
14. Install the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) fuse.
15. Install the ignition fuse to the I/P fuse block.

___________________________________

One other thought is there could be an issue with the number 6 fuel injector. You may want to switch it with an injector from a different cylinder to see if the misfire moves cylinders.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-fuel-injector

Let me know.
Joe
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 9:00 PM
Tiny
MELLZZERZZ
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you so much for answering. I'll start with checking the injectors since that seems to be the easiest to start with, and move onto the larger testing. The other thing is that I did have to replace the front main seal. I know that the harmonic balancer bolt is not tightened down due to the fact the my torque gun failed. (I need a new one) so with the bolt only being hand tightened could that possibly be throwing a code as well since the harmonic balancer it is not exactly making the contact it needs to make for the seniors to be able to read appropriately? Either way I know that having the full diagnostics done is definitely the best way to go to find the issue. I really appreciate your detailed response to my question. Thank you!
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Saturday, January 30th, 2021 AT 6:43 AM
Tiny
MELLZZERZZ
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Correction in question: was supposed to read as sensors not seniors. Auto correct likes to be wrong at times.
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Saturday, January 30th, 2021 AT 6:45 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,371 POSTS
LOL, I got you. Yes, the crank needs to be tight. If there is any play it can cause play.

Try switching the injector with a different cylinder to see if the misfire changes. Also, the auto-correct has given me issues as well. LOL No problem. I figured it out.

Take care and let me know what you find or if I can help.

Joe
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Saturday, January 30th, 2021 AT 2:03 PM

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