Page 1833 of 4264
ENGINE MECHANICAL (6VE1 3.5L) 6A-9
Symptom Possible Cause Action
Hesitation at high speeds Engine Control Module defective Replace
Throttle Position Sensor cable broken
or poor connections Correct or replace
Throttle Position Sensor defective Replace
Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
circuit open or shorted Correct or replace
Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
defective Replace
Mass Airflow Sensor circuit open or
poor connections Correct or replace
Mass Airflow Sensor defective Replace
IAT Sensor circuit open or poor
connections Correct or replace
IAT Sensor defective Replace
Throttle valve not fully opened Check and correct or replace
Air Cleaner Filter clogged Replace filter element
Power supply voltage too low Check and correct or replace
Page 1834 of 4264

6A-10 ENGINE MECHANICAL (6VE1 3.5L)
Engine Lacks Power
Symptom Possible Cause Action
Trouble in fuel system Fuel Pressure Control Valve not
working normally Replace
Fuel injector clogged Clean or replace
Fuel pipe clogged Clean
Fuel filter clogged or fouled Replace
Fuel pump drive circuit not working
normally Correct or replace
Fuel tank not sufficiently breathing
due to clogged Evaporative Emission
Control System circuit Clean or replace
Water in fuel system Clean
Inferior quality fuel in fuel system Use fuel of specified octane rating
Engine Control Module supplied poor
voltage Correct circuit
Throttle Position Sensor cable broken
or poor connections Correct or replace
Throttle Position Sensor defective Replace
Mass Airflow Sensor not working
normally Replace
Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor
not working normally Replace
Intake Air Temperature Sensor not
working normally Replace
Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
circuit open or shorted Correct or replace
Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
defective Replace
Engine Control Module defective Replace
Trouble in intake or exhaust system Air Cleaner Filter clogged Replace filter element
Air duct kinked or flattened Correct or replace
Exhaust system clogged Correct or replace
Ignition failure ———— Refer to Hard Start Troubleshooting
Guide
Heat range of spark plug inadequateInstall spark plugs of adequate heat
range
Ignition coil defective Replace
Page 1835 of 4264

ENGINE MECHANICAL (6VE1 3.5L) 6A-11
Symptom Possible Cause Action
Engine overheating Level of Engine Coolant too low Replenish
Fan clutch defective Replace
Thermostat defective Replace
Engine Coolant pump defective Correct or replace
Radiator clogged Clean or replace
Radiator filler cap defective Replace
Level of oil in engine crankcase too
low or wrong engine oil Change or replenish
Resistance in exhaust system
increased Clean exhaust system or replace
defective parts
Throttle Position Sensor adjustment
incorrect Replace with Throttle Valve ASM
Throttle Position Sensor circuit open
or shorted Correct or replace
Cylinder head gasket damaged Replace
Engine overcooling Thermostat defective Replace (Use a thermostat set to
open at 82C (180F))
Engine lacks compression ———— Refer to Hard Start
Others Tire inflation pressure abnormal Adjust to recommended pressures
Brake drag Adjust
Clutch slipping Adjust or replace
Level of oil in engine crankcase too
high Correct level of engine oil
EGR valve defective Replace
Page 1836 of 4264

6A-12 ENGINE MECHANICAL (6VE1 3.5L)
Engine Noisy
Abnormal engine noise often consists of various noises
originating in rotating parts, sliding parts and othe
r
moving parts of the engine. It is, therefore, advisable to
locate the source of noise systematically.
Symptom Possible Cause Action
Noise from crank journals or from
crank bearings
(Faulty crank journals and crank
bearings usually make dull noise that
becomes more evident when
accelerating) Oil clearance increased due to worn
crank journals or crank bearings Replace crank bearings and
crankshaft or regrind crankshaft and
install the undersize bearing
Crankshaft out of round Replace crank bearings and
crankshaft or regrind crankshaft and
install the undersize bearing
Crank bearing seized Crank bearing seized Replace crank
bearings and crankshaft or regrind
crankshaft and install the undersize
bearing
Troubleshooting Procedure
Short out each spark plug in sequence using insulated
spark plug wire removers. Locate cylinder with defective
bearing by listening for abnormal noise that stops when
spark plug is shorted out.
Symptom Possible Cause Action
Noise from connecting rods or from
connecting rod bearings
(Faulty connecting rods or connecting
rod bearings usually make an
abnormal noise slightly higher than
the crank bearing noise, which
becomes more evident when engine
is accelerated) Bearing or crankshaft pin worn Replace connecting rod bearings and
crankshaft or regrind crankshaft pin
and install the undersize bearing
Crankpin out of round Replace connecting rod bearings and
crankshaft or regrind crankshaft pin
and install the undersize bearing
Connecting rod bent Correct or replace
Connecting rod bearing seized Replace connecting rod bearings and
crankshaft or regrind crankshaft pin
and install the undersize bearing
Page 1837 of 4264
ENGINE MECHANICAL (6VE1 3.5L) 6A-13
Troubleshooting Procedure
Abnormal noise stops when the spark plug on the
cylinder with defective part is shorted out.
Symptom Possible Cause Action
Piston and cylinder noise
(Faulty piston or cylinder usually
makes a combined mechanical
thumping noise which increases
when engine is suddenly accelerated
but diminishes gradually as the
engine warms up) Piston clearance increased due to
cylinder wear Replace piston and cylinder body
Piston seized Replace piston and cylinder body
Piston ring broken Replace piston and cylinder body
Piston defective Replace pistons and others
Troubleshooting Procedure
Short out each spark plug and listen for change in
engine noise.
Symptom Possible Cause Action
Piston pin noise
(Piston makes noise each time it
goes up and down) Piston pin or piston pin hole worn Replace piston, piston pin and
connecting rod assembly
Page 1838 of 4264

6A-14 ENGINE MECHANICAL (6VE1 3.5L)
Troubleshooting Procedure
The slapping sound stops when spark plug on bad
cylinder is shorted out.
Symptom Possible Cause Action
Timing belt noise Timing belt tension is incorrect Replace pusher or adjust the tension
pulley or replace timing belt
Tensioner bearing defective Replace
Timing belt defective Replace
Timing pulley defective Replace
Timing belt comes in contact with
timing cover Replace timing belt and timing cover
Valve noise Valve clearance incorrect Replace adjusting shim
Valve and valve guide seized Replace valve and valve guide
Valve spring broken or weakened Replace
Valve seat off–positioned Correct
Camshaft worn out Replace
Crankshaft noise Crankshaft end play excessive (noise
occurs when clutch is engaged) Replace thrust bearing
Engine knocking Preignition due to use of spark plugs
of inadequate heat range Install Spark Plugs of adequate heat
range
Carbon deposits in combustion
chambers Clean
Fuel too low in octane rating Replace fuel
Wide Open Throttle enrichment
system failure Refer to Section 6E
Selection of transmission gear
incorrect Caution operator of incorrect gear
selection
Engine overheating Refer to “Engine Lacks Power"
Others Water pump defective Replace
Drive belt slipping Replace auto tentioner or drive belt
Page 1839 of 4264

ENGINE MECHANICAL (6VE1 3.5L) 6A-15
Abnormal Combustion
Symptom Possible Cause Action
Trouble in fuel system Fuel pressure control valve defectiveReplace
Fuel filter clogged Replace
Fuel pump clogged Clean or replace
Fuel tank or fuel pipe clogged Clean or replace
Fuel injector clogged Clean or replace
Fuel pump relay defective Replace
Power supply cable for fuel pump
broken or poor connections Reconnect, correct or replace
Mass Airflow (MAF) Sensor circuit
open or defective Correct or replace
MAF Sensor defective Replace
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT)
Sensor circuit open or shorted Correct or replace
ECT Sensor defective Replace
Throttle Position Sensor adjustment
incorrect Readjust
Throttle Position Sensor defective Replace
Throttle Position Sensor connector
poor connections Reconnect
Vehicle Speed Sensor cable poor
connections or defective Correct or replace
Vehicle Speed Sensor loosely fixed Fix tightly
Vehicle Speed Sensor in wrong
contact or defective Replace
Engine Control Module cable poor
connections or defective Correct or replace
Page 1840 of 4264
6A-16 ENGINE MECHANICAL (6VE1 3.5L)
Symptom Possible Cause Action
Trouble in emission control system Heated Oxygen Sensor circuit open Correct or replace
Heated Oxygen Sensor defective Replace
Signal vacuum hose loosely fitted or
defective Correct or replace
EGR Valve circuit open or shorted Correct or replace
EGR Valve defective Replace
ECT Sensor circuit open or shorted Correct or replace
Canister Purge Valve circuit open or
shorted Correct or replace
Canister Purge Valve defective Replace
ECT Sensor defective Replace
Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV)
valve and hose clogged Correct or replace
Evaporator system Refer to Section 6E
Trouble in ignition system ———— Refer to “Engine Lacks Power"
Trouble in cylinder head parts Carbon deposits in combustion
chamber Remove carbon
Carbon deposit on valve, valve seat
and valve guide Remove carbon