Idle getting rougher

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 10:25 pm

The entire car shakes occasionally when stopped at red lights now, the tach sometimes drops down to the point where the check engine light briefly flashes (0.1 seconds), and for some reason the power light comes on for the same amount of time.

Even turning on the AC doesn't completely calm it down, although it helps a lot.

Gas mileage is going down aswell (not that it was that good to begin with)

So far, to try and solve this problem I have:
Replaced the PCV valve
Redone the engine grounding
New muffler

I hear cleaning out the IAC valve can help this, how do I go about doing this? Is it going to take more than an hour?

I've also noticed a faint smell of gasonline under hard acceleration, could it be the fuel filter, or bad plugs?

206er · Post by **206er** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 11:18 pm

I would examine the fuel system.
change the filter, new lines where needed(be sure to use high pressure fuel injector hose)
have the injectors cleaned and balanced. I had your problem to a lesser extent(200-600rpm rough ass idle) and this solved it.
plugs, check em. wires too.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 12:54 am

Have you checked for vacuum leaks?

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 1:05 am

vrg3 wrote:Have you checked for vacuum leaks?

Not properly.

Ive checked all the pipes and they're all in place, and theres no noticeable cracks or anything, but because of the weather I haven't been able to hit it with a spray bottle

Post by **Legacy777** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 4:05 am

Have you checked the ECU & TCU for codes?

Do that first.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 6:47 am

Yep, they're both clear.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 6:49 am

Oh and my mistake, it wasnt the check engine light briefly flashing

It was the oil light, but the oil levels are fine. My guess is that the engine is spinning so slow the oil isnt staying up.

I think Im going to take it into the dealership for an oilchange and inspection next week, its only $42 CAD.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 9:35 pm

I picked up a set of NGK V-Power plugs

They are pre-gapped at 1.1mm, do I really need to regap them? I dont have any gauges handy.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 7:12 pm

You're supposed to check them, but in practice you can just compare all four in the set visually to make sure they're all the same.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 7:14 pm

I couldnt get the old plugs out so Im gonna pick up a gauge when I go to the hardware store today

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 5:01 am

Well I think I just solved my problem.

Pulled the plugs, and yup, someone stuck Bosch Platinums in there

The NGK V-Powers will go in tomorrow, stay tuned.

douglas vincent · Post by **douglas vincent** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 5:14 am

Change your plug wires while you at it. I have gone through 3 sets in 20k or so. My #1 wire has gone out twice.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 5:47 am

Cant afford to yet

Gonna be a spring thing.

Replacing the plugs tomorrow, coilpacks when Blackbart's package arrives, and the wires in the spring.

MSD MIS2 ignition in the summer

douglas vincent · Post by **douglas vincent** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 5:57 am

Too check your plug wires, get the engine nice and warm, and then pull a plug wire at a time off your coil pack. If the engine changes idle/tone, that plug/wire is fine. If it changes, you got a problem.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 6:02 am

They're all corroded as hell at the boot end

But I honestly cannot afford $120 for new wires right now

douglas vincent · Post by **douglas vincent** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 6:21 am

Buy the cheapest possible, I am pretty sure (%99) you can use NA plug wires. You will see the increase. I can get new plug wires for as little as $25-30 here in US funds

Hell, you live in BC, sell your weed!

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 6:42 am

I dont want to do it half assed, Im just gonna wait til I can afford the 8.5mm Magnecor wires

I dont touch the green anymore

MPtyza · Post by **MPtyza** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 6:58 am

Hell, a while back, I spent $45 on plug wires at the dealership

douglas vincent · Post by **douglas vincent** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 7:03 am

Yeah, but if it doesnt run, it doesnt do you any good!

I purchased the famed "Magnacor" wires. Did cause anything but problems. Solved them all with the cheap wires. Not saying better wires wont help, but cheap wires that work are better than wires that dont!

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 7:36 am

These work.

Im sure most of my problems are caused by the bosch plugs.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 9:04 am

Alright swapped out my plugs

The one on the back right (looking towards the engine from the front of the car) is such a BITCH to get at

Holy crap.

MPtyza · Post by **MPtyza** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 9:35 am

A little while back, I purchased a spark plug socket with a built-in u-joint, and it makes things a hell of a lot easier when it comes to those rear plugs.

Post by **Legacy777** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 3:42 pm

Remove the windshield washer tank. It makes getting at that plug A LOT easier.....and a u-joint does help a lot too.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 10:32 pm

So I drove the car to school this morning, and it's never, ever been so bad.

I had absolutely NO bottom end, at all. The car sort of pulsed when I floored it, but didnt really accelerate til I hit about 40mph, then it would start acting more like normal. It had nothing to do with what RPM the engine was at.

I stopped off at LordCo (BC's answer to NAPA) and picked up some NGK 8 mil wires, cost me $70 CAD :s

Waited 20 minutes for the engine to cool down enough to work on, and put them in.

Holy crap.

The car feels brand new. I've got solid acceleration all the way from standstill to about 60mph, it pulls so much harder and smoother now.

I cant wait to see what its like with the new coil packs.

Fishy · Post by **Fishy** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 11:44 pm

SONOFABEACH!

Sounds like BC has a BETTER answer to NAPA than NAPA does. Those dirty buttheads here don't carry NGK wires at all. I would gladly pay $70cad for a set of NGKs if I could get them. Everyone around here just says "nope, but we've got these Super-yellow, mega-performer, Bob's Wire brand ones on sale!"

BAH!

*ahem*
good job getting your car sorted out though, man!

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Idle getting rougher

Idle getting rougher