What Does P0174 Code Mean on Chevy Silverado?
The air-fuel mixture ratio is excessively lean if your Chevy Silverado has the P0174 engine code. That indicates that your engine is receiving too much air and insufficient fuel. Your car can burn gas excessively rapidly as a result of this.
You can become anxious about how to solve the problems this code points up. There is, however, nothing to be concerned about. Because I will go into considerable depth regarding the P0174 code and how to quickly fix the issue.
What Does P0174 Code Mean on Chevy Silverado?
System Too Lean (Bank 2) is the meaning of the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0174. If there is too much air and not enough fuel in the air-fuel ratio (AFR), a lean state will be produced.
The ECM is built to be able to make modest to moderate adjustments to return a lean situation to normal. Code P0174 may appear if the air-fuel ratio needs more adjustment to go back to normal than the ECU can provide.
It is worth mentioning that the gas in your Chevy Silverado must first mix with oxygen before it can burn and power your vehicle. When the air and gas are present in the proper amounts, the combination entirely burns. If the mixture is too lean, your car will not operate effectively.
What Does Lean Condition Mean?
Firstly, the lean condition indicates that there is not enough fuel in the engine, thus it is drawing in too much air. Your Chevy Silverado may become lean for a few different causes.
The engine can be receiving excessive air as a consequence of a vacuum leak, an EGR issue, or a malfunctioning mass airflow sensor.
Additionally, it could not be receiving enough gasoline due to faulty fuel pumps, unclean fuel filters, defective fuel pressure regulators, and broken injectors.
When the car’s air/fuel combination becomes overly lean, P0174 occurs. When the oxygen sensors determine that there is insufficient oxygen in the exhaust, they are both ejected.
These codes are then generated by the engine when it makes modifications to account for them, setting off the service engine shortly illuminate.
How Serious Is Code P0174 On Chevy Silverado?
A lean state is often not so serious. However, if your Chevy Silverado’s engine isn’t getting enough fuel, a problem with the air-fuel mixture might result in dangerous driving difficulties.
It’s necessary to have a mechanic examine your car as soon as possible.
Additionally, some of the root causes of this problem may have harmful downstream effects of their own. For instance, you can be exposed to lethal carbon monoxide fumes if your exhaust leaks.
What Causes Code P0174 On Chevy Silverado?
The P0174 trouble number may appear on your car out of nowhere, leaving you to wonder what went wrong. The issues listed below are the most typical ones that lead to the P0174 code in the Chevy Silverado:
1. Air Leakage
The air leakage or vacuum leak is the most typical reason for the P0174 code to appear in the majority of cars. Check the surroundings to see if you can locate the vacuum leak. Watch this YouTube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTzDY95aqXg to know how to locate a vacuum leak. The chance of the intake manifold leaking increases dramatically if the engine is allowing unmetered air to enter. The leak, though, might be anywhere.
2. Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor
MAF sensor figures out how much air is going into the engine. The air-fuel mixture will be incorrect and the P0174 error code will appear if it has malfunctioned. It will be situated in the middle of the throttle body and the air filter. It’s simple to locate. A wire harness will be connected to it.
When it comes to the MAF sensor failing, filthy air is the main source of the issue. This often occurs when the air filter’s seal is compromised.
It will allow unfiltered air in and can fast make the MAF sensor so filthy that it stops functioning correctly. They may also stop functioning correctly if they become contaminated by gasoline vapor.
3. Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)
For cleaner emissions, the EGR system is intended to recycle exhaust gases. You can see this code if EGR has malfunctioned since it affects the vacuum level in your Silverado.
4. Faulty Fuel Injectors
The air/fuel mixture can go bad if you have one or more fuel injectors that have failed. As a result, P0174 will show up.
5. Fuel Filter or Fuel Pump
The ideal air/fuel combination cannot be obtained if the fuel pressure is not as high as it should be for optimum atomization. It can often happen if the fuel pump is malfunctioning or the fuel filter is blocked.
Another potential offender is the fuel pressure regulator. You may most likely use a port to check the fuel pressure. Before anything else, do it.
Other Symptoms of Getting P0174 Code on Chevy Silverado
Your Chevy Silverado may display a few warning signs of the problem if the code P0174 arrives. Sometimes, you may see the indications of this code as follows:
- There is an issue with the check engine light that might be on.
- Engine power is insufficient.
- The car may idle erratically when the computer makes adjustments to keep the engine running when the air/fuel ratio is changed.
How To Fix P0174 Code on Chevy Silverado
When your Chevy Silverado displays engine code P0174 symptoms, it is essential to get it checked out as soon as possible by a qualified repair. To correctly identify the problem with your car, the mechanic will carry out the below stages. Before beginning the repair, you must ascertain the precise cause of the problem.
- Check the fuel pressure.
- Check for leaks in the vacuum lines and intake system.
- Look for leaks or worn hoses in the valve cover.
- Inspect the PCV valve.
- Utilize a multimeter or scan tool to test the mass air flow sensor.
- Using a multimeter or a scan tool, test the appropriate oxygen sensor.
Common Mistakes in Code P0174 while Diagnosing
When diagnosing P0174, it’s necessary to finish the whole diagnostic procedure properly. When an air-fuel sensor or oxygen sensor gives a poor reading, many people immediately replace it.
However, the real problem is usually a filthy or malfunctioning mass airflow sensor or vacuum leak, which causes the O2 or A/F sensor to read differently to make up for it.
The key to correctly diagnosing P0174 is reading and examining the freeze frame data as well as the fuel trims.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix the P0174 Code on Chevy Silverado?
The price to resolve the code P0174 on a Chevy Silverado depends on the cost of both diagnosing and identifying the problem, as well as the price of replacing the parts.
Most shops will begin with an hour of diagnostic time if you bring your car in for a diagnosis. This normally costs between $75 and $150, depending on the labor rate at the shop.
If you hire the shop to handle the repairs, many, if not most, will deduct this diagnosis price from any necessary work. A shop will then be able to provide you with an exact quotation for repairs to resolve your P0174 error.
Moreover, depending on the cause of the P0174 engine code and whether you can solve it yourself or need a professional, the cost of repair varies.
Putting the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve back in position can fix the problem if it is connected improperly. A vacuum leak repair by an expert may cost $1000 or more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is a P0174 code susceptible to an exhaust leak?
The most common cause of an illuminated check engine light with P0174 stored codes is a vacuum leak. This code is set by the car’s computer when it notices too much oxygen in the exhaust. Excessive oxygen measurements in the exhaust set lean code.
Can P0174 result in a misfire?
The P0174 trouble code typically results in the engine running badly, which the driver would perceive as a misfire or even engine stalling. This can happen even before the check engine light comes on.
Is it possible to drive with P0174?
Driving with the P0174 trouble code does not instantly harm your car’s components. But if you keep on driving when your engine is lean, it might overheat and potentially harm internal engine components which will cause issues later while driving.
Where is O2 located?
The O2 sensor for a vehicle is situated on the bank that corresponds to the second cylinder of the engine (bank 2, sensor 2). It is placed behind or downstream of the catalytic converter.
Conclusion
The significance of the P0174 code is now clear to you. You shouldn’t worry if your Chevy Silverado displays this code, however. To get rid of it, only follow the instructions offered in this article.
Get the difficult replacements performed for you by a professional if you are having problems with any of these solutions.
