Work van runs like chit

96tacolx

96tacolx

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2005
Location
Gastonia
I have a 96 Astro van that I drive for work. Has a 4.3 Vortec in it.
I had noticed the last couple of weeks that it felt like it was starving for fuel when I accelerated hard. I figured it was time for some routine maintanence (it was bought used and has about 170,K on it)

I have already installed a new fuel filter and cap and rotor ( all original.....never had been changed it looked like) After I changed the cap and rotor it started to really run like crap. Won`t idle worth a damn but runs fine going down the road and accelerates like it`s supposed to. I had new spark plugs but it was going to be more involved than I had time for at the moment.

I borrowed a very nice code reader and at first it called for a MAF sensor and a random misfire on the right bank (cyl 2,4,& 6) I removed the MAF sensor and gently cleaned it with contact cleaner (non-residue) Cleared out the codes, cranked it up and it idled perfect. Drove it around the block and it started idling like crap again. Now it has the random misfire on cyl 2,4, & 6 (only) My question is, what would cause the random misfire on just one bank?


Sorry for such a long post but I hate for this thing to whoop me and have to take it to someone that actually knows what they are doing. :D
 
The injector pintiles are good for pluggin up on those engines, a good storng fuel injector cleaner should help, but.....

Are you getting individual cyl codes ( P0302,304,306 ) or a bank 2 rich code P0174 I think ?

Suspect the intake is leaking ( very common ) and needs to be resealed ( leak would be on opposite side of engine from code indication, ECM compensating for the extra air and lean condition with is why you would have a rich condition on opposite side).

Also expect to replace the fuel pump soon, it was over worked due to the old fuel filter condition and will probably burn out soon. ( plan on it, and hope it dies with less than half a tank).

Also, the easiest way to access the plugs is thru the wheel wells, all six can be had this way, a LONG extension and a swivel are your friend here. the fenderwell skirts are PITA. jack the front up to raise the fender away from tire for easier access.

just a few ideas.

Kevin
 
You are correct. I was getting a P0174 but it was fuel system to lean on bank 2.

Actually it`s running/idling perfect now. I posted this right before I went to work Mon. morning. I started it up and still had the check engine light but it idled perfect when I would be at a stop light. I got to shop, disconnected the battery for about a half hour to clear the codes and the check engine light hasn`t come back on since.
I don`t know how letting it set over the weekend had anything to do with it but that`s exactly what happened.

Thanks for your help. Hopefully the fuel pump will give me a little bit of a warning before it goes out completely. I`ve had to drop a full fuel tank before. Definitely not any fun
 
Same still applies, you have a vacuum leak in the intake gasket area, clearing the code won't make that go away. ;)

The intake gaskets are known to be chit, the leaks will get worse and they can also cause further engine problems, as a result of severe lean/rich conditions, your cats will burn out in short order. 4.3L engined vehicles are good for cat issues anyway.

If the fuel pump dies, a good whack on the bottom of the fuel tank "should" get it working again for a short time. Also, if you can hear the pump working it's telling you it's close to retirement.

Kevin
 
Thanks Kevin for the info. I only cleared the codes to see if they would come back and when they didn`t I just assumed everything was straight again.

I told my boss what you had said about the intake gaskets and he said we would get it fixed. I may even do it myself just because I`ve never done one on a 4.3 :D

Thanks again.
 
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