Process of Elimination: P0300 P0172

[surfninjas]

Thanks for all the responses.

Spark plugs had no oil or arcing evidence. Haven't seen Amy oil spots under the car or anywhere else, but I'm pretty sure it burns a reasonably small amount (quart or so over several thousand miles) for our cars (according to posts here). My oil catch can gets a few ounces on the high end and that after my gf put too much oil in.

I've noticed that sometimes filling up with cheap gas leads to a rougher start/stumble for the first couple start ups.

Guess I'll siphon enough gas out to run sea foam for the fuel.

Its very nice to no longer be broke. I really enjoy learning about cars, as slow as I may be.

 

[pcb]

Keep an eye on your CEL.

If it flashes turn the car off !!

P0300-P0304 are the only codes that flash the CEL on our car. It's engine misfire. (not good (especially for our car,... burnt pre-cat))

 

[pcb]

It's 2nd on the list in the OP.

..and cheap. and easy to replace, and is a wear item anyway. etc etc.

I just saw this post,...
So I found this,... then checked out RockAuto's prices. They are cheaper than I thought but I still think he should throw one of these codes as well.

 

[surfninjas]

good new and bad news, and maybe very bad news...

good news: put everything back. no codes.

bad news: vacuum leak somewhere. takes a while for the idle to dip under 700.

maybe very bad: restarting car after engine warms to operating temp, puffs of white smoke (maybe steam) come from the exhaust. little puddles too. however, there is no odor and no color; just looks like carbon and water. its about 60 degrees fahrenheit.

coolant on the pcv valve still.

i did clean the egr and throttle body, so im hoping somehow that is related to the exhaust issue (ran the car for about 20 minutes). head gasket was fixed about a year ago. i dont mind dropping a new engine in, if that makes more sense than doing the headgasket and probably other stuff. if i have to go that route, i wish it could have been a few months down the road.

 

[surfninjas]

late edit- the coolant level was over the full line too and the car hasnt been driven 12/23/14

 

[ReginaldWagon]

It sounds like this car has been problematic for you since purchasing it after scanning through your previous posts and putting in a new engine in doesn't actually sound like a bad idea.

Is it a white P5? I'm in the market for a white P5...

 

[surfninjas]

It sounds like this car has been problematic for you since purchasing it after scanning through your previous posts and putting in a new engine in doesn't actually sound like a bad idea.

Is it a white P5? I'm in the market for a white P5...

its blue. i was so happy when i bought it...then driving it home, about 60 miles there, it overheats. shop that checked it rushed through and didnt put the radiator cap on.

nothing to do now. if i have to replace the engine, i plan on keeping the old one and tinkering with it so i can learn more, and maybe even get it fixed.

are you in norcal?

 

[ReginaldWagon]

Darn, really want a white one ...