Rough idling...

[Marik123]

I recently clean up my K&N air filter and replace it with new set of NGK V-Power spark plugs and hoping that idle will smooth out, seems its pretty rough at winter even though I'm filling it with 89 Octane gasoline, any ideas? I also put in a bottle of fuel-injector cleaners....

[gcs118]

How are the O2 sensors? Did you clean the MAF or throttle body when you cleaned the intake filter?

[Mustard97]

try using 87 octane, unless your car is using some kind of forced induction the lower 87 octane is better for it, since it was designed to run with it

[gcs118]

try using 87 octane, unless your car is using some kind of forced induction the lower 87 octane is better for it, since it was designed to run with it
I will agree that the car was most likely designed to run on 87 octane, but I have found 89 octane to smooth things out a little bit. Maybe it's psychological, but either way, I cannot imagine it causing a rougher idle.

[Marik123]

Ok, I filled up with 87 octane gasoline this time, seems like the idle is even rougher than 89 octane... Any more ideas? I know where is the MAF is, but how can I clean it up? I tried to unscrew it, it wont let me.... Also the throttle body, where is that at? How can you tell if the oxygen sensor works or not?

[gcs118]

Generally you will have a CEL/MIL if the O2 sensor isn't working. To clean the MAF, you will need to remove the intake plumbing and use a qtip or something to wipe the grime out. If you recently reoiled your air filter, extra oil may have gotten on the sensor. The throttle body is the part on the intake manifold where the intake plumbing goes to. If it looks dirty for some reason, a cleaning might help. Otherwise I am not too sure.

[122 Vega]

Tap the top of the EGR when the car is running with a heavy plastic screwdriver handle. This is in the factory service manual for testing the EGR. I did mine a week ago and the idle is like brand new.

Britt

[peepsalot]

Tap the top of the EGR when the car is running with a heavy plastic screwdriver handle. This is in the factory service manual for testing the EGR. I did mine a week ago and the idle is like brand new.

Britt
You tapped it and the problem was fixed? Or you tapped it to test it and found it needed replacing? What is supposed to happen when you tap it?

[Marik123]

Can u tell me where to locate the EGR valve? Do I need to replace them like every 50k 30k 15k something like that? Is autozone a good place to start?

[122 Vega]

The idle evened out and no more stalling. It is a diagnostic test, they are supposed to replace it if it fails like mine did, but I haven't gotten a new one yet. But it is still working fine.

Britt

[Marik123]

Um... Where exactly is the location of the EGR valve? Can u show me a picture of it? I'm not too famililar with all these fancy car terms and locations... Also is it hard to them, what is the cost of it?

[peepsalot]

EGR valve is attached to the intake manifold near(under it if I remember correctly) the throttle body, and has a metal tube(Exhaust Gas Recirculation tube) connected to next to it, which comes from the exhaust manifold. EGR valve is mostly black.

[Marik123]

Ok here is the picture of the 1.6L engine.... Can you show me where it is... Also does the PCV valve affect rough idling?

http://carad.ebayimg.com/i16/01/a/02/f1/7b/d3_4.JPG

[peepsalot]

Oops, sorry I have the 2.0L Just look around your intake manifold for a valve connected to it, It will have a wire connector going to it, and the exhaust gas tube, which should be the easiest way to spot it. Try starting at the exhaust manifold and following the tube from there to the EGR valve.