01-17-2007, 04:40 PM
I have had this problem for a long time, and my mechanics have not been able to diagnose the problem. When cruising at 3000-4000 rpm, the check engine light comes on and the car loses power if I try to accelerate. It just hesitates for a few seconds and then the power seems to come back. The light will usually go off and come back on intermittently during that driving session. It may run fine the next day.
Unfortunately, this code is not specific. With the Bosch tester, it just indicates a rich mixture. Now, I have noticed that it may be related to the amount of gas in the tank. The other day, the car was running fine almost on empty. As soon as I filled it up it started acting up again, actually died when I came to a stop at idle. Also idled poorly. It limped all the way home. When I started it again, a lot of black smoke came out of exhaust confirming the rich mixture. I noticed that when I stopped to fill the take and removed the gas cap after driving it for 50 miles, there was loud swoosh of air entering the tank.
My theory is that the ventilation system is creating too much of a vacuum and is acutally sucking gas into the carbon cannister, and then into the intake manifold, when the take is full. I never "top off" the tank which could cause gas to enter the small overflow tank. That tank connects directly to the ventilation system.
There are two vacuum valves in the engine compartment. One is mechanical and seems to work fine; it opens with increasing engine speed. The other is called a "bleeder valve." This is situated between the mechanical valve and the engine manifold. This one has an electrical connector on it.
My mechanic has changed the carbon cannister which he cut open and found was full of gas. Also I noticed some gas in the return hose next to the vacuum valve when I took if off.
Has anyone had a similar problem? What does the bleeder valve do? Is it a switch or sensor? Does it control the amount of suction? I'm thinking of just changing both. It is normal to get any gas in the carbon cannister?
I have had a problem with a strong gas smell intermittently for years, and have gone round and round tring to find a leak somewhere. Even dropped the transmission to check the hoses and gas tank which were okay. I think that if the gas is getting sucked into the cannister and into these valves, that this could be the reason for the occasional smell as well.
Thanks for any suggestions/answers.
Jeff
Unfortunately, this code is not specific. With the Bosch tester, it just indicates a rich mixture. Now, I have noticed that it may be related to the amount of gas in the tank. The other day, the car was running fine almost on empty. As soon as I filled it up it started acting up again, actually died when I came to a stop at idle. Also idled poorly. It limped all the way home. When I started it again, a lot of black smoke came out of exhaust confirming the rich mixture. I noticed that when I stopped to fill the take and removed the gas cap after driving it for 50 miles, there was loud swoosh of air entering the tank.
My theory is that the ventilation system is creating too much of a vacuum and is acutally sucking gas into the carbon cannister, and then into the intake manifold, when the take is full. I never "top off" the tank which could cause gas to enter the small overflow tank. That tank connects directly to the ventilation system.
There are two vacuum valves in the engine compartment. One is mechanical and seems to work fine; it opens with increasing engine speed. The other is called a "bleeder valve." This is situated between the mechanical valve and the engine manifold. This one has an electrical connector on it.
My mechanic has changed the carbon cannister which he cut open and found was full of gas. Also I noticed some gas in the return hose next to the vacuum valve when I took if off.
Has anyone had a similar problem? What does the bleeder valve do? Is it a switch or sensor? Does it control the amount of suction? I'm thinking of just changing both. It is normal to get any gas in the carbon cannister?
I have had a problem with a strong gas smell intermittently for years, and have gone round and round tring to find a leak somewhere. Even dropped the transmission to check the hoses and gas tank which were okay. I think that if the gas is getting sucked into the cannister and into these valves, that this could be the reason for the occasional smell as well.
Thanks for any suggestions/answers.
Jeff