Fuel, misfire, vacuum leak?

Tiny
ANGELBABE0777
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 CADILLAC CTS
  • 3.6L
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
When I got the car a year ago it had a bad smell of gasoline. Just on the outside. But I replaced my fuel canister, and it still smells. I ran the fuel injector cleaner through it, and it still smells.
But now I am having serious issues with my car. I had a mobile mechanic come and repair my radiator after a dolly fell out of the back of a truck and all fluids poured out. I also had the spark plugs fixed and O2 sensors I believed. I can’t reach the mechanic anymore but am stuck with my car not able to brake randomly sputtering and jerking. Having a hard time starting and making a whining noise under the hood in the back right. I was told by someone I have a vacuum leak and a misfire. What do I need to do to know specifically without going to a shop? I have a little experience with cars from my family. But I no longer have any family and I’m in the hole because of my break down with the car. I’ll attach a video of how it sounds and later how it drives.
Side question, my instrument cluster went out and I tried the fuses, but it still isn’t working?
Monday, January 8th, 2024 AT 1:09 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,645 POSTS
Hi,

The whining sound appears to be the power steering pump. Make sure the fluid is full.

Next, is the check engine light staying on while the engine is running? Listening to it in your video, I didn't notice a misfire. If it is staying on, then take it to a nationally recognized parts store and have them scan the computer for diagnostic trouble codes. Most of the parts stores will do it free of charge.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Monday, January 8th, 2024 AT 7:14 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,256 POSTS
We only handle one problem per thread so please make separate posts for each problem. I did not hear anything out of the ordinary, can you please upload another video which has the noise in it?
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Tuesday, January 9th, 2024 AT 11:43 AM
Tiny
ANGELBABE0777
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Suction is coming from here. Very loose.
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Tuesday, January 9th, 2024 AT 2:32 PM
Tiny
ANGELBABE0777
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Nasty sludge like and smell of gas in this picture.
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Tuesday, January 9th, 2024 AT 2:32 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,645 POSTS
Hi,

In pic 1, that is the power brake booster. The vacuum supply is direct from the intake manifold. Make sure that the leak is eliminated. The second appears to be where the PCV attaches. To a degree, the sludge isn't out of the ordinary, but it shouldn't be excessive. Also, if you smell fuel from there, you may have fuel mixing into the engine oil due to a pressure issue or a faulty injector.

If you remove the oil dipstick, does the oil smell like gas?

Joe
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Wednesday, January 10th, 2024 AT 5:06 PM
Tiny
ANGELBABE0777
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Yes, it smells like bad gas. And I didn’t realize how bad it was. I got all my tools taken so I haven’t had a jack to look underneath, and it’s all covered in oil and gas. What do I do? I brought it to AutoZone the other day and they scanned it and the only code that came up for the coolant thermostat. So, I got one. I was going to clean and degrease my engine. But when I realized how bad the gas was, I’ll wait until I fix the problem. So that being said. What’s the first step? Get rid of the whole car? Lol. Jk
Uploading a video now of under my car.
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Sunday, January 14th, 2024 AT 1:15 PM

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