Can anyone tell me what could be wrong with my car?

[Gen3Unistudent]

Hello all,
As the title says, just need to know what the general consensus is for what could be wrong with my car so i know what kind of garage to take it to. I am in middle of my exams at uni at the moment so a bit busy right now. But here is the story.

Just got back from Melbourne, haven't driven car for approximately 3 weeks. Got in the car this morning and went to get breakfast. Car drove fine. Got back in the car, started driving few hundred meters, the car made pop sounds like it was backfiring. Came to traffic light, car was idling real rough, as if it was about to cut out but didn't. Driving back home as slow as I could, any force on the accelerator would make the backfire pop sound reappear. The car is home safe but idling real rough. Only recent thing that I had issues with the car was the fan belt which I was planning on replacing next week. Not sure if that can be related.

If anyone can give me general idea I would appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,
Jack

Also looks like leaking unburnt petrol more then usual

[Uncut]

Could possibly be ignition leads. I had a similar problem once. One lead was sitting on the extractor and burnt through. Medium or heavy throttle and it popped and shuddered. Only light acceleration worked fine.
I'd say its ignition related.

[macca33]

Try fuel (fuel pump, fuel filter), air (filter, MAF, plugs connected) and spark (plugs and leads) first mate - then go from there.

cheers

[JaMeS_2007]

what about changing 02 sensors while your at it?

[nirvana]

agree could be leads, is it overheating?

[Big_Valven]

How about a PCM reset. Cheaper than any of the above and not hard to do.

[Gen3Unistudent]

No overheating at all according to the temp gauge, steady temp just below half way as always. Got my normal mechanic coming on Friday to have a look and tell him some of your suggestions. I disconnected the battery and put it back but no luck. It just keeps backfiring when ever touch the accelerator pedal at the slightest. Lets see what mechanic says on Friday I guess.

[KCB50L]

How old is the fuel in it?

[Gen3Unistudent]

Was about 3 weeks old before I went to Melbourne I would say. That's what I was first thinking as well but it was only 60km to empty left in tank. Filled it up to top with Shell V power but still rough idle and backfiring non stop when accelerating even at the slowest pace.

[GJ227]

if its backfiring, then its electrix, i would just stick my head under the bonnet and check all leads are on properley 1st, and then just check that they are all okay, 1 may have burnt through from heat off something.

if not have the mechanic look at it 1st

GJ227

[grange01]

what about changing 02 sensors while your at it?

Had similar problem recently, both O2 sensors where rooted, easy to change them tho, good luck

[Uncut]

When the problem is known can you please post up the fix.
Cheers

[jasonmi]

check the pvc hose at the front of the engine, mine had a hole in it (which is common) made it idle and drive like shit, also could be o2 sensors and check that all the leads are clipped firmly to the plugs.

[team illucid]

had the same problem - idling like someone threw a cam in it, wouldnt hold a speed at all (could only throttle on and then let it roll, then throttle again etc) and was popping and spluttering ... solved it by cleaning the MAF, pushing all the leads on tight (1 on the right bank was slightly loose, and 1 on the left as well).

Result is car back to normal :)

[matt'sVS]

Definatly check to see if the air temp sensor is pluged in on you maf pipe, mine came out when I was driving once and it was searching revs, not driving properly etc... Like has already been said, check what you can first before you start spending money on mechanics and new o2 sensors...

[Gen3Unistudent]

It turns out the front left lead was ruined. Had all leads replaced. Car was fixed for a few hours. Went for a long drive. Towards the end of the drive, car started idling real rough once again and drives extremely sluggish and spluttering, although its not backfiring this time. I'm in Melbourne now for a week so can't call mechanic again till i get back. Anyone have any ideas? The front left lead that ruined in first place, is on but its looser fitted then all others, not sure if that matters.

As for the maf sensor on the pipe, I have a Yella terra pipe that does not have the sensor in place as mine is a vx. I think the sensors came on pipes from vy.

Love this forum, so much help coming from everyone, keep them coming. Will show all new suggestions made to mechanic when I get back.

[BIG T]

Apologies for highjacking this thread, but my car has a similar problem. It will idle rough, more so when the car is in drive ( sometimes at the lights I have to put it in neutral for fear it will stall). It doesn't matter whether the car is cold or warmed up. There is no popping sound though. For a split second it will just shudder, the revs will slightly drop and the fuel use increases slightly. So far I have tried the following cheapest remedies:

* Checked all leads, had engine running in the dark. Could not see any sparks jumping from the coils/leads.
* Used injector cleaner twice
* Reset PCM
* Changed IAT sensor in MAF ( was only $9.00)

Any idea guys?:confused:

If it is the O2 sensors, how much are they worth? Is it a simple job to do at home? Thanks:)

[Brandonsdad]

It turns out the front left lead was ruined. Had all leads replaced. Car was fixed for a few hours. Went for a long drive. Towards the end of the drive, car started idling real rough once again and drives extremely sluggish and spluttering, although its not backfiring this time. I'm in Melbourne now for a week so can't call mechanic again till i get back. Anyone have any ideas? The front left lead that ruined in first place, is on but its looser fitted then all others, not sure if that matters.

As for the maf sensor on the pipe, I have a Yella terra pipe that does not have the sensor in place as mine is a vx. I think the sensors came on pipes from vy.

Love this forum, so much help coming from everyone, keep them coming. Will show all new suggestions made to mechanic when I get back.

Same sort of thing happened to my VX a few years ago and the RAA came out and checked all of my spark plugs and the last one he checked was LOOSE. Tightened the bitch up and problem solvered.


BTW, I love this forum too.

[grange01]

Bosch O2 sensors bout 85 each

[Gen3Unistudent]

Mechanic came over again yesterday, spent 2 hours checking everything little thing. He finally found problem. He says there are leaks from the manifold. It needs new gaskets. He thought the manifold could of been cracked but it wasn't. Would the leaks cause the engine to idle real bad, shake the car, backfire and just generally sound a bit off?