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Idle getting rougher
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 10:25 pm
by Splinter
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?
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 11:18 pm
by 206er
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.
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 12:54 am
by vrg3
Have you checked for vacuum leaks?
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 1:05 am
by Splinter
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
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 4:05 am
by Legacy777
Have you checked the ECU & TCU for codes?
Do that first.
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 6:47 am
by Splinter
Yep, they're both clear.
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 6:49 am
by Splinter
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.
Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2005 9:35 pm
by Splinter
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.
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2005 7:12 pm
by vrg3
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.
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2005 7:14 pm
by Splinter
I couldnt get the old plugs out so Im gonna pick up a gauge when I go to the hardware store today
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 5:01 am
by Splinter
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.
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 5:14 am
by douglas vincent
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.
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 5:47 am
by Splinter
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

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 5:57 am
by douglas vincent
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.
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 6:02 am
by Splinter
They're all corroded as hell at the boot end
But I honestly cannot afford $120 for new wires right now
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 6:21 am
by douglas vincent
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!
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 6:42 am
by Splinter
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

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 6:58 am
by MPtyza
Hell, a while back, I spent $45 on plug wires at the dealership
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 7:03 am
by douglas vincent
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!
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 7:36 am
by Splinter
These work.
Im sure most of my problems are caused by the bosch plugs.
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 9:04 am
by Splinter
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.
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 9:35 am
by MPtyza
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.
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 3:42 pm
by Legacy777
Remove the windshield washer tank. It makes getting at that plug A LOT easier.....and a u-joint does help a lot too.
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 10:32 pm
by Splinter
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.
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 11:44 pm
by Fishy
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!
