Help! 95 SL hesitating- no SES, no codes

Vic · 08-16-2004, 03:25 AM

I gave a friend a boost on Friday night, and while we were still hooked up (after about 5 minutes), the idle got a bit rough and since then it is running rough. It hasn't shown an SES so I don't know what to do or check. It seems to idle okay, doesn't overheat and the alternator doesn't seem to be having any problem.
I did the ECTS change and cleaned the EGR a couple of weeks ago and its been running fine since then.

95 SL single-cam

Vic · 08-16-2004, 10:55 PM

Update:
It's not getting any better, and there are NO codes stored, just checked that. The idle is a bit rough, and it is rough on acceleration, and down on power. It smoothes out at about 3500 rpm, but still lacks power. When I decelerate and get back on the gas there is no hesitation. I played with the plug wires and it didn't change anything.
When I had the code 32 problems, the rough idle was fixed by tapping on the EGR (before I took it out and cleaned it), but tapping on it this time didn't do anything.
I'm gonna pull the plugs tonight and see if they cratered. They're only a couple of weeks old, though, from the dealer.
Help! I'm supposed to do a major road-trip, next week.

auger · 08-16-2004, 11:25 PM

How's the PCV valve and fittings? Air filter good? Just a couple of simple things to check that don't cost a mint.

Vic · 08-16-2004, 11:47 PM

Hmmm, I changed the PCV amonth ago, but it came from Crappy-Tire - I'll have a look at it and the fittings.
Air cleaner was good a week ago, but I'll look at it, too.

Vic · 08-17-2004, 01:33 AM

Okay ...
Plugs: 1,3,4 even. 2 a bit more deposits, but not much. 1 & 2 very slightly moist, 3 & 4 dry.
Sprayed carb-cleaner in idle air valve (stopped & running), down intake (stopped & running) & removed & sprayed MAP sensor.
No difference.
PCV - with the car running, should card cleaner get past the PCV? I sprayed some into the PCV -disconnected from valve-cover, attached to the intake manifold- and the idle dropped.
Sprayed card cleaner around plugs, coil pack & EGR with engine running - no differences.
Had to stop here, neighbour complained about the smell coming into her place.
HELP!

auger · 08-17-2004, 02:34 AM

Vic, how many kms on this 95 SL?
When it idles, what rpm is it showing on the tach? Is the needle steady?
Have you kept up the maintenance with things like the fuel filter, etc.,

Have you run any kind of fuel system cleaners through the car lately?

Just trying to get a picture of your car and it's condition.

You say the plugs have deposits, what colour are they? This moisture on them, is it gas or oil?

I'd refrain from spraying carb cleaner on the ignition parts, it could be dangerous.

**Ssicarman** · 08-17-2004, 02:34 AM

Check the plug wires and coils. Use an ohm meter to check the resistances. Make sure that there is no corrosion on the coil end of things.

Vic · 08-17-2004, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auger

Vic, how many kms on this 95 SL? 220,000km
When it idles, what rpm is it showing on the tach? Is the needle steady?
Have you kept up the maintenance with things like the fuel filter, etc.,

Have you run any kind of fuel system cleaners through the car lately?

Just trying to get a picture of your car and it's condition.

You say the plugs have deposits, what colour are they? This moisture on them, is it gas or oil?

I'd refrain from spraying carb cleaner on the ignition parts, it could be dangerous.

220,000km
750 rpm @ idle - was steady, now if it sits at a light it searches a bit, usually after about 20 seconds or so.
Maintenance has been spotty, haven't changed the fuel filter since I bought it - so it has at least 50,000 km on it.
New: plugs, oil changed last week, just put in a (prestone?) detergent additive into the oil before i do another oil change this week, PCV changed but questionable quality (CDN Tire), new ECTS, EGR - soaked and cleaned - all done in the past 2-3 weeks - 800-1000KM since then.
Yes to the fuel system cleaners.

Plugs - it was hard to tell, but it seemed to be a light fluid, not oily or viscous, so probably fuel.

I know its risky, but I sprayed the ignition to see if there was any arcing - I was ready to jump....

Vic · 08-17-2004, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ssicarman

Check the plug wires and coils. Use an ohm meter to check the resistances. Make sure that there is no corrosion on the coil end of things.

I'll have a look tomorrow, too dark, now.
With stock coil-paks, should I only use Saturn wires, or are the (jobber) after-market wires okay? I replaced them a year or so ago with a jobber set.
Haven't checked the coil-paks, yet I'll check them tomorrow, too.
Do I check at the High voltage or at the plugs?

Whelan · 08-17-2004, 05:19 AM

When my 94 was doing that, I did a few things, I finally got my intake and threw it on, cleaner air. I also changed out the plugs and wires with NGK V-sparks and SPS 8mm wires. That really helped a lot. The last thing I did was start doing oil changes with Valvoline Maxlife which greatly helped out with gas mileage and engine run.