Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting For the love of God.

I did put on a K&N Filter, but this has been a persistant problem and I had it with the old filter, and the new one.

Can't wait to get home and work on the Tour. I am getting my baby ready for some cruisin over spring break!!

Well took the car for a decent ride (12 miles) and it was fine for the most part. It actually ran better then I remember on the path I drove, which was my old commute to work. The Idle is still a bit low running ~ 600 RPM. I'm not quite sure why.


But just for a reference. There are 2 ways to test the EGR. Put on the hose wil the car is off. Then try to blow and suck, as oppose to only blow. I couldn't blow through mine, but If i would suck on the hose I could hear a movement of whatever the valve is made of. It would "unpop" as soon as I would stop sucking on it. So I can definately rule out the EGR.

Have you unplugged the MAF yet? I'm thinkin' maybe a dirty MAF.

No not yet. I want to wait till day light to go pulling wires off and driving around. lol


Edit: If I remember correctly, if you have an exhaust leak, this can cause low idle right? I'm bolting my trubendz back together tonight because the god damn tubing has a stress point and the pipe pulled out from the clamp tube...

Saturday:

Well I got my exhaust back together. I added an intermediate tube section to extend the pipe ~1 inch so the won't pop apart anymore.

I checked Over the intake, tried to tighten some clamps, but nothing was loose.

Then backed out the car, and did a little wash and wax. So pretty and clean! haha

Then went for a 25 mile drive Saturday afternoon. Here is an oddity though:

Before going for my drive, I filled up on gas. I COULDN'T PUT GAS IN THE TANK! The pump would kick off as soon as I tried to pump gas. The tank was not full because my guage was on quarter.

I ended up having to hold the nozzle from the pump really close to the top of the neck. I just stopped filling before it came close. The station was moderately busy so it wouldn't be a high pressure from the pump. I've used the same gas station all the time and never had problems before.

So is there some kind of pressure valve in the fuel system? I always thought the air just pushed back up the neck as you filled with fuel, but if I'm wrong, could this be why my car is running lean and have a crappy idle?

The drive after the gas station went fine and the CEL codes didn't come back. The car idled around 900rpm after driving the distance as well.

Then this morning I went to go meet some friends and pick up some stuff at the grocery store and my idle was doing its old 600 rpm trick and car was very close to stalling.

I am so very confused

No, I drove to the gas station first. Then went for a drive.

I read that article, what Happens if that little flap stays open? say when the fuel is pulling gas out of the tank? Could that make a lean code? I know you can get codes if you leave your cap off.

It just never stops amazing me.

Car is running funny again. I put in a new PCV tonight, the old one was crap, but the new one made no difference.

The old one had fresh oil on/in it. I'm going to assume thats kinda normal but since I only drove 7-8 miles to advance auto and back it seems like there was a lot of oil in the little bugger.

Could this be a sign of other problems?

Also if the hose on my PCV valve is wore out and has seen better days, could this cause an air leak that would effect idle and cause double lean codes?

Edit: everything not check from originally list is here

Fuel System:
�· Low fuel pressure or running out of fuel (fuel pump, filter, fuel supply line restrictions)
�· Vapor recovery system (VMV)

Induction System:
�· MAF contamination (I need to clean it again, but didn't solve problem last time)
�· Vacuum leaks (I haven't found any)
�· PCV system concern


EGR System:
Nope, new gasket, checked egr and funtional

Base Engine:
�· Exhaust leaks before or near the HO2S
(exhaust looked good so did Y pipe, cat and others,)

Powertrain Control System:
�· PCM concern

My own thoughts:
1) DPFE sensor is screwy, but not sending a code
2) Alternater could be crapping out, maybe bearings inside
3) NEW THOUGHT! What if my TPS was out of wack, it could explain odd idle because IAC would think the throttle to be open.
4) NEW THOUGHT! Old hose on PCV seems like it might not be "air tight"

Fixed/Good condition:
-New IAC
-new IAC, TB, EGR gaskets
-Battery terminals good
-Battery ~1 year old
-no air leaks that I can find after MAF
-New plugs and wires(Autolite D.Plat with 8mm Auto wires)
-Fuel Filter ~ 6months ago
-Oil was changed over Xmas break with mobile 1 and purolator pure one filter
-New belt for waterpump(it was sqeaking when cold and when car stalled)
-Cleaned the EGR passages ~year ago when CEL came on.

Symtoms:
Bad idle ~600 rpms, will stall when very cold
Bad idle + turning on defroster = stall
Idles ~800-900 when warmed up
Lights dim when rpms fall to the 600 mark or lower
Rev Limitered kicked on @ 4k RPM the other day(not sure on that one)
Battery light goes on nearing 5k

Mods:
My Hood
K&N Filter with Ebay Intake pipes
Trubendz Exhaust
Aiwa headunit(doubt it would cause problems, but my issue seems electrical)


Well thats a good summary for anyone just checking in. lol