well short break ended sooner then I thought.
What I did in this short amount of time:
Ordered and installed a new OEM PCV valve hose
Ordered and used EVAP smoke machine
Checked the MAF readings carefully on OBD2 Scanner tool
installed new windshield cowl ( not important )
Smoke test - didn't find any leaks and plugging up some hoses with aluminum tape didn't help either.
However I noticed a little bit of smoke and I mean A LITTLE coming from the top of the EGR valve.
Removed the EGR Valve and inspected it. Gasket is shredded however no leaks from that.. I think. I noticed that the metal line going from the EGR to the header was loose - like I removed it with my hand. hmm..
Cleaned it with carb/choke cleaner
Reinstalled and made sure to snug everything back up.
Ran the car for 6-7mins (recorded this)
IDLE is at 1000RPM
Reving the car brings it down to 750-1K area and stabilizes like it should again. This is great! It isn't dying like before or engine shaking.
P1151 Code is still active - I didn't delete it or take off battery so that's normal.
I am letting the car cool down right now before I reset the code and run it again and hopefully the code doesn't come back immediately.
Lastly - I have a friend who works at a dealership. He gave me permission to access his network. The biggest thing with P1151 code is that the MAF sensor went bad and sometimes the PCV valve is bad too. As for vacuum leaks - not so much. So lastly I kept a good eye on the MAF sensor reading on my OBD2 scanner. As I rev the car up the number increases and as the engine decelerates it goes back down. So It is working correctly. (I think)
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Pictures are of changes and current amount of smoke from exhaust (thin and very little amount) (
laughable amount but it is there) before it would be a lot more almost like being next to someone smoking a cigarette. I can guess maybe the fumes from the valve covers weren't being removed fast enough? or maybe the egr has something to do with that? I don't know.
The smoke is something I will keep a eye on - coolant levels/oil levels - it could be oil or coolant being burnt or dripped into the cylinders. I still haven't looked at the spark plugs. I am hoping to get this code cleared and removed for good before doing that if possible.
Later this afternoon I will find out if the code is gone for good or if I have a bigger battle awaiting me still.