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Around 23,000 miles I experienced the rather common P0133 engine code on my 2014 Diesel. At that time, the dealership smoke tested my system under guidance from GM-TAC, which resulted in the replacement of the sensor, my EGR valve and the EGR mounting plate. Now just past 60,000 miles I am getting the P0133 engine code once again. Since I'm out of warranty, I have begun the process of chasing a solution on my own, and I'm starting this thread to track my results. So far, I'm attempting solutions that do not involve buying parts. I reset the code several times so that I could use my remote start until I finally found a permanent solution, and each time, the code would reappear after a handful of driving cycles, usually after I have been on a longer drive where the car gets well-warmed-up.
A couple nights ago, I removed the O2 sensor to find that the upstream side of the sensor was caked with soot, about 1/4-1/2 inch thick in some places. Using my air compressor, I blew out the switch, then once the caked-on soot was blown out, I used brake cleaner to clean out the switch. One of the theories regarding many of our sensor failures is that they are induced by un-metered or improperly-metered air entering the intake and/or exhaust system. So, while I had the tools out, I checked my hose clamps (2 were tight, and the other 3 were loose between 1/4 and 1 full turn. I also removed the MAF sensor and cleaned it to ensure it was properly measuring the air entering the intake. While I was at it, and considering the extensive soot on the O2 sensor, I also pulled NOX1 to find it was badly caked with soot, although not as badly as the O2 sensor, which I believe is a result of its different shape than the O2 being less conducive to the soot clinging.
I went on a fairly long drive today of about 150 miles, and also had several short trips around town yesterday and today, and the code has not returned. So, perhaps the sensor was fine and just experiencing "slow response" (which is what the P0133 code indicates) due to the soot build-up. I will be seeking out a dealer to apply the fuel trim update for me to see if that remedies the soot buildup, and I also hope to clean the MAP sensor the next time I am in the garage and have time, just to ensure accuracy on the other end of the air metering process. I have inspected the intercooler piping as well as it can be inspected without removing parts that obscure its view, but should the problem return, it is likely a deeper inspection might be in order.
Has anyone had experience with getting the fuel trim update from a dealer without other service? Since the ECM is covered under the 80k mile emissions warranty, I'm hoping I can make the case that it should be covered by that warranty (since I'm outside of b2b warranty). If not, I guess that an hour's labor, or whatever it takes, is still cheaper than replacing another sensor, so it should pay off in the end. Unfortunately, since I just moved to Michigan, and I've been doing my own service since arriving, I don't have an existing relationship with a local dealer to build on when making my case.
Anyone on the northern side of Grand Rapids, MI have a dealer they would recommend or avoid as I seek service for my Diesel? My nearest dealers are Ed Koehn in Rockford, Tinney in Greenville, and Sparta Chevrolet in Sparta.
A couple nights ago, I removed the O2 sensor to find that the upstream side of the sensor was caked with soot, about 1/4-1/2 inch thick in some places. Using my air compressor, I blew out the switch, then once the caked-on soot was blown out, I used brake cleaner to clean out the switch. One of the theories regarding many of our sensor failures is that they are induced by un-metered or improperly-metered air entering the intake and/or exhaust system. So, while I had the tools out, I checked my hose clamps (2 were tight, and the other 3 were loose between 1/4 and 1 full turn. I also removed the MAF sensor and cleaned it to ensure it was properly measuring the air entering the intake. While I was at it, and considering the extensive soot on the O2 sensor, I also pulled NOX1 to find it was badly caked with soot, although not as badly as the O2 sensor, which I believe is a result of its different shape than the O2 being less conducive to the soot clinging.
I went on a fairly long drive today of about 150 miles, and also had several short trips around town yesterday and today, and the code has not returned. So, perhaps the sensor was fine and just experiencing "slow response" (which is what the P0133 code indicates) due to the soot build-up. I will be seeking out a dealer to apply the fuel trim update for me to see if that remedies the soot buildup, and I also hope to clean the MAP sensor the next time I am in the garage and have time, just to ensure accuracy on the other end of the air metering process. I have inspected the intercooler piping as well as it can be inspected without removing parts that obscure its view, but should the problem return, it is likely a deeper inspection might be in order.
Has anyone had experience with getting the fuel trim update from a dealer without other service? Since the ECM is covered under the 80k mile emissions warranty, I'm hoping I can make the case that it should be covered by that warranty (since I'm outside of b2b warranty). If not, I guess that an hour's labor, or whatever it takes, is still cheaper than replacing another sensor, so it should pay off in the end. Unfortunately, since I just moved to Michigan, and I've been doing my own service since arriving, I don't have an existing relationship with a local dealer to build on when making my case.
Anyone on the northern side of Grand Rapids, MI have a dealer they would recommend or avoid as I seek service for my Diesel? My nearest dealers are Ed Koehn in Rockford, Tinney in Greenville, and Sparta Chevrolet in Sparta.