 Erratic Idle, ..amongst other things |
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 Mar 22 2006, 08:18 AM
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#1
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 DSMCentral Freak  Group: Members Posts: 291 Joined: 6-May 04 From: Mahomet Illinois Member No.: 287  |
I'm throwing a Engine Coolant Temp Circuit Malfunction code. I talked to one of my friends over at Advanced and he said that there's a "checklist" i should run through before i try to replace the Switch, Controller or the electric plug.
Any thoughts? I'm also getting some oil in my valve cover (where my sparkplug wires are). I can't tell where it's comming from. I don't belive it's comming from the Oil Cap. The oil issue might have something to do with this. Well after my car is warmed up...i'm getting a somewhat erratic idle. my toggles my GM MAFT and the screw on my Throttle body to no avail. it idles at 1200 then drops and bounces from 1000 to 1150 then back to 1200. it's like a cylinder isn't hitting right or something. Sorry about the blast of problems but advice and your experienced knowledge would be helpful. -------------------- it's not a dsm unless it's leaking something
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Mar 22 2006, 08:33 AM
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#2
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DSM Tech Wizard Group: Members Posts: 2,256 Joined: 10-January 01 From: central IL Member No.: 10 |
oil in the spark plug galley is typical of a cracked valve cover. Check the inside corners for tiny cracks.
-------------------- The fastest car I own is a minivan....
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Mar 22 2006, 08:35 AM
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#3
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DSMCentral Freak Group: Members Posts: 291 Joined: 6-May 04 From: Mahomet Illinois Member No.: 287 |
oooh...that sounds like fun
-------------------- it's not a dsm unless it's leaking something
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Mar 22 2006, 09:06 AM
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#4
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 Post Master Group: Members Posts: 780 Joined: 14-July 04 Member No.: 338 |
QUOTE (TotalEclipse97 @ Mar 22 2006, 08:35 AM) oooh...that sounds like fun Nuthin' a little JB Weld won't fix. I had the same problem, and ended up being the oil cap, even though I swore to God it was on there well enough. I ended up tightening it down so hard you needed the filter wrench to get it off. Also, be sure to check the EGR valve for leaks and such. Could be the culprit of your idling woes. -------------------- QUOTE (gsxracer80 @ Oct 31 2006, 12:41 AM)
thanks hcar.... I am still massaging that area trying to get it ready...  |
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Mar 22 2006, 09:37 AM
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#5
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DSMCentral Freak Group: Members Posts: 291 Joined: 6-May 04 From: Mahomet Illinois Member No.: 287 |
EGR Valve....that's the little valve on the left side of my valve cover that has the hose that runs to the Intake right?
If so...then i just checked it saturday. The Oil Cap has been pretty tough to get off as of late -------------------- it's not a dsm unless it's leaking something
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Mar 22 2006, 09:44 AM
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#6
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DSM Tech Wizard Group: Members Posts: 2,256 Joined: 10-January 01 From: central IL Member No.: 10 |
EGR is bolted to the intake manifold under your throttle body. You're reffering to the PCV valve.
-------------------- The fastest car I own is a minivan....
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Mar 22 2006, 10:24 AM
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#7
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DSMCentral Freak Group: Members Posts: 291 Joined: 6-May 04 From: Mahomet Illinois Member No.: 287 |
ahh...thank you.
how would one go about checking an EGR for leaks? -------------------- it's not a dsm unless it's leaking something
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Mar 22 2006, 12:10 PM
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#8
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Post Master Group: Members Posts: 780 Joined: 14-July 04 Member No.: 338 |
There will usually be some black carbon buildup around it, but that's not always the case. A stethescope works well, or the standard leakdown check.
-------------------- QUOTE (gsxracer80 @ Oct 31 2006, 12:41 AM)
thanks hcar.... I am still massaging that area trying to get it ready... |
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Mar 22 2006, 01:54 PM
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#9
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 DSMCentral Freak Group: Members Posts: 257 Joined: 21-July 04 From: Normal Member No.: 351 |
check around the valve cover bolts for a crack... and then fill that thing in with JB weld untill you can get a new one. you also might try to double gasket the cap. you can get a new gasket from mistsu for like $4.
what was the number of the code that it was throwing? if the coolant temp sensor to the ECU is dead it might be sending the wrong single to the ECU as far as the cold and hot idle settings (you have two coolant temp sensors one to the guage and one to the ECU both located on the water neck by the thermostat). borrow a datalogger and check the code... and check to see what temp the ECU is seeing. i had one of the wires off of my ECU coolant temp sensor and the ECU defaulted to warm idle. so in the winter the car would die after it cranked over when it was cold. --------------------  |
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Mar 22 2006, 02:02 PM
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#10
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DSMCentral Freak Group: Members Posts: 291 Joined: 6-May 04 From: Mahomet Illinois Member No.: 287 |
the engine is Nate's old galant engine...i'm wondering if that's coming into play due to computers not matching up.
i belive the code was P0015 (according to Autozone yesterday) -------------------- it's not a dsm unless it's leaking something
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Mar 22 2006, 07:41 PM
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#11
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Web Administrator Yo! Group: Admin Posts: 516 Joined: 30-August 04 From: Mackinaw, IL Member No.: 376 |
QUOTE (The Iron Goat @ Mar 22 2006, 01:10 PM) or the standard leakdown check. Correct me if I am wrong but won't a leakdown only get as far as the intake valves(unless there is a problem)? With a bent or stuck intake valve you hear the air through the intake, a damaged exhaust valve would allow audible air out the exhaust, and a blown head gasket could be heard in the crank case... -------------------- Fast & Furious on the outside...DSM under the hood!!!
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Mar 22 2006, 09:19 PM
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#12
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DSMCentral Freak Group: Members Posts: 291 Joined: 6-May 04 From: Mahomet Illinois Member No.: 287 |
is there anyone around champaign (besides KOU) that could spare some time to help me out? because i don't think i even know what i'm looking for.
-------------------- it's not a dsm unless it's leaking something
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Mar 22 2006, 09:38 PM
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#13
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Post Master Group: Members Posts: 780 Joined: 14-July 04 Member No.: 338 |
QUOTE (99Spyder @ Mar 22 2006, 07:41 PM) QUOTE (The Iron Goat @ Mar 22 2006, 01:10 PM) or the standard leakdown check. Correct me if I am wrong but won't a leakdown only get as far as the intake valves(unless there is a problem)? With a bent or stuck intake valve you hear the air through the intake, a damaged exhaust valve would allow audible air out the exhaust, and a blown head gasket could be heard in the crank case... You're totally right, but I was referring to checking the EGR valve. If there's a leak at the seal, you'd certainly hear it. -------------------- QUOTE (gsxracer80 @ Oct 31 2006, 12:41 AM)
thanks hcar.... I am still massaging that area trying to get it ready... |
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Mar 23 2006, 01:52 PM
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#14
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DSMCentral Freak Group: Members Posts: 291 Joined: 6-May 04 From: Mahomet Illinois Member No.: 287 |
i don't hear any leaks....i don't belive it's a boost leak.
next step is to switch out my plugs and wires -------------------- it's not a dsm unless it's leaking something
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