Surging prob plz help

[thesargster4]

Hey guys.

I got a 95' 3.8L, got her running about 2-3 weeks ago.. needed head gaskets, and heads.

Ive got new spark plugs, all new gaskets, and plug wires.. I got the car when it wasnt running, so im really not sure of anything that was going on in the past.

I will note that i have been running the car a little below E, but i know that there is about 3-4 gallons in it.

Sometimes when i start it, it will start surging to the point it feels like its running on 3 or 4 cylinders, and if u give it throttle it will just stall and ill get a check engine light. If i turn the key on and off a few times, and start it up.. it seems to idle fine, but i can still here a small bit of miss fire like its running rich, and after about 20 seconds the check engine light disaperes.

I checked all connections.. IAC, TPS, MAF, etc.. Also checked hard for vacuum leaks, and didnt seems to locate any.

One thing that i did find, is on the passenger side of the car, located by the firewall there is a cylinder-shaped sensor, with a T on the end of it with two hoses on the T. One hose goes back into the firewall, and the other wasnt hooked to anything so i plugged it thinking it could be a vulnerable vacuum leak.

All cylinders have spark, and when it isnt surging bad i can definitely tell that it IS running on all six, but the only thing that gets me is that this only happens once in a great blue moon.. seems like when its only me, and i have no one to call or ask..

Let me know what you guys think, i would really appreciate this.. have a feeling its going to be simple, atleast i hope... knock on wood

John

 

[thesargster4]

Anyone?

Help appreciated.

 

[Bosko5.0]

check your grounds, maybe its a loose wire.

 

[Chythar]

That cylinder-shaped sensor is part of the evaporative emissions system, it should have a hose leading into the passenger fender below the connectors next to the firewall. The other end of that "T" should lead to a hose that hooks up under the intake manifold in the back. If there is no hose leading to the intake manifold you have a nice big vacuum leak!

How long has the car been sitting? You could have bad gas that needs to be reconditioned. Also, gas tanks can get a bunch of crap in the tank and running the tank to empty can suck that stuff up into the fuel pump & filter.

First, check for that vacuum line and seal it off. You may have to take the upper intake manifold off to find the connection. (If you do take the intake manifold off, use a new gasket or you'll create another vacuum leak) If that doesn't help, go get some Seafoam or Gas Conditioner at your local parts store and put it in your tank. Read the directions first - the entire bottle is intended to be used on a full tank of gas.

Let us know your results.

 

[desertcox05]

DID YOU CLEAN THE MAF? you said you ck'd it . what caused the head gasket to blow?

 

[thesargster4]

Young guy that had it before me took the A/C off, and bought a shorter belt.. put it on the water pump backwards and warped both heads.

Anyway, the MAF was replaced about 3 months ago, i have the receipt. He told me that he had put different injectors in it.. dont ask why, i just went along with it. So, i went on ebay and bought a refurbed pair of 19lbers. Also, planning on going to the parts store shortly and getting a FPR, fuel filter, and a PCV valve (yeah random but it needs one lol)

Thanks alot for the help so far, anything else yall can think off would be much appreciated. Im hoping These fuel system updates will fix er up.

 

[thesargster4]

Just got back from advance auto, got myself a FPR, fuel filter, PCV valve, and some vacuum line. I only did the PCV valve today, im going to everything fuel-wise once the injectors come.

The weird thing is that WHEN it surges and sounds like it just isnt right, if you throw it in gear.. it sounds completely fine.. also, at high rpm its starting feel alot better.

Im starting to think that fuel filter and FPR is going to be alot of it.. along with the vacuum leak. I doubt i 'NEED' the injectors i bought, but for $50 shipped i couldent pass it up.. All i know is that it runs like a top on the road, seems to be getting decent gas milage going to school/work and back.. im sure its only going to get better

P.s.. MAC o/r h pipe and flowmaster 40series catback ordered last night.. this horse currently has metal close hangers, nails, you name it.. holding up the stock exhaust, plus the fact the tail pipe being gone!

 

[thesargster4]

Wow guys, those #19 injectors, new FPR, fuel filter.. and fixing the vacuum leak really did it good. I also ran some seafoam and switched to quaker state synthetic. She runs like a fricken top, i was on the highway today and was keeping up easily with my buddys probe..

For anyone that runs into this problem, read!

Thanks alot guys,

John

 

[gcomfx.com]

In the future, when you get a CEL, that means pull the codes. The computer has information you need to help you fix your problem. Many times you have a problem, you can pull the codes to get free information even if the CEL isn't on or flashing.