Malibu 02 backfire problems and fuel problems.?

I asked this question before but I am revising it.

I think my fuel injectors on the car are going bad as it starts poorly in cold weather, it has new spark plugs and plug wires, it has 90 premium fuel where manual calls for 87. Every now and then before it starts the car backfires I believe. Every now and then when it doesn't start when you turn the key on, you hear the fuel pump start the gas gauge goes up and then fuel pump shuts off as normal. If you try to start it after a few seconds of trying to start it the gas gauge drops to empty, the empty %26quot;idiot%26quot; light comes on, the ABS warning light comes on and the brake warning light comes on(no others). Sometimes at that point if you try a couple of times yet again you flood the engine but it does start. I know the engine floods because you smell burnt fuel when the car starts for a few seconds. Sometimes the only fix is to let it heat in the garage overnight and thaw out. Once I pushed it for 10 minutes in the garage and it started right away. It does this when temperatures are below 0-5F.

I also sometimes smell fuel inside the car for no reason. Sometimes while idling, the car's check engine light comes on and the error code comes on with misfire in cylinder X or Y. It is never in a specific cylinder, always in one cylinder, no pairs, and sometimes, the code might come on and then the engine light goes off by itself. I mean you just sit in a parking lot and the check engine light comes on as the engine is going.

I got quoted $285/injector+ 2 hours of labor to change all 6 injectors by a shop who said this is the likely problem. This was at a independent shop not at the dealership. The car's blue book is around 3-4000$. I would hate spending $2000+ on it just to discover it's actually something else.

Any advice?Malibu 02 backfire problems and fuel problems.?This might sound too simple...but have you done a basic tune-up yet? I had a friend with a Malibu also. It was running rough, hard to start, poor acceleration. When I checked it it was 3 quarts low on oil, and the plugs were in bad need of replacement. After plugs, PCV valve, airfilter, fuel filter, and an oil change it ran fine. She probably shortened the engine's life a bit though.



If it were my car and the plugs were fine, air filter and fuel filter are good, I'd run some fuel cleaner through it. I forget what it's called but it's made for water cantaminated fuel. It can also make a difference where you are getting your fuel. I've never liked any fuel from Costco, AM/PM / Arco, or most Unocal stations. And with your car I bet a qulaity 89 octane would do fine.



Edit

5 or 6 years just sounds too early to have leaking injectors too me. Unless they are really clogged from poor fuel.
Malibu 02 backfire problems and fuel problems.?
try starting the car with the gas pedal 3/4 to the floor, not all the way floored . if it starts better then have your engine coolant temp sensor looked at. if the temp sensor is bad it will think the car is colder than it is and add more fuel, opening the throttle will create the extra airflow needed.this condition will always make the car run rich unless you are driving full throttle all the time.

What would I check if my fuel injectors arent getting power?

I have a 87 chevy custom deluxe 20. My truck wont start. It does crank it is just not getting any gas. It will start up for a second if I put some starting fluid in there. I changed the fuel filter, It is getting gas to the throttle body, fuses are good. I checked it with a light and on both fuel injectors nothing happens when you try to start it, I checked both contacts on the injectors. What would my next step be? Please be specific. And in what order should I diagnose in? Thank you very much.



Please only answer if you know what you are talking about.What would I check if my fuel injectors arent getting power?Does that truck have throttle body injection?. If it does than it could mean the the PCM is bad for the injectors the PCM will only control the two injectors on the throttle body. I would also try to listen for the fuel pump if you don't hear it when you turn the key than its bad. If its and electric pump and not a mechanical pump.
What would I check if my fuel injectors arent getting power?
find out if it has injector pules if not look for the ignition module
What would I check if my fuel injectors arent getting power?
i definitely know what i'm talking about. you're gonna want to use a test light and probe the injector power feed circuit with the test lamp connected to a good ground. turn the key on and you should have juice to the power wire. if the fuse and wiring is good, you will have an illuminated test lamp. after you've verified good power, hook a noid light up to the connector and have an assistant crank it over while you look at the noid light. it should flash rapidly as the assistant cranks it. if it does not, you have a ground issue going into the computer. if it does flash, you've got some bad injector(s) that aren't energizing as they should.

What could cause my 92 honda accord to sputter when speeding up?

it does it mainly from first to third gear. once i get up to a constant speed it runs normally. I've tried all the fuel injector cleaners and no change. also, my battery light comes on and off a lot but i didn't think that has anything to do with it. I think maybe my terminal is just wiggling loose a little which shouldn't cause the sputtering could it.What could cause my 92 honda accord to sputter when speeding up?A common cause of Honda sputtering, especially during acceleration, is oil in the spark plug tubes. Pull the wires off the plugs and see if oil drips off the plug boots. If so, clean the oil out and replace the seals under the valve cover gasket. The seals come with the valve cover gasket set. Don't over-torque the hold-down nuts - they only torque to 7 ft-lbs.
What could cause my 92 honda accord to sputter when speeding up?
Fuel pump or filter (if it has one) could be clogged

Fuel filter replcaement?

Hello all,

I am having a 1990,BMW 525i.Sometimes My Bimmer needs two or three cranks for starting.I have cleaned the fuel injectors with STP complete fuel cleaner and my sparkplugs are good.Do i need to change the fuel filter also?pls adviceFuel filter replcaement?A leaking fuel injector can cause this problem or a bad check valve in the fuel pump or faulty fuel pressure regulator. As fuel leaks pass the nozzle of a fuel injector it releases the static or holding pressure of the fuel system. Since the fuel pump relay is not energized until the computer %26quot;sees%26quot; ignition spark the engine has to be cranked first and then the fuel pump can then fill the system with fuel and pressurize the fuel. A leaking injector will also foul the spark plug or at least cause it to run rich. You will probably experiance rough idling after a long crank period if this is the case. A faulty pressure regulator or check valve in the fuel pump or external fuel leak will only cause long cranking times. A fuel pressure gauge installed between the fuel filtert and the injector rail will indicate wether or not the system is operating at nominal pressures. Shut the car off and observe the gauge it should hold pressure. If the pressure bleeds down you have a leak.
Fuel filter replcaement?
i would its cheap and you can do it your self. just remember safety, relive fuel system pressure and disconnect the negative battery cable.



let me know if you run into any problems
Fuel filter replcaement?
it may not do anything but it wont hurt anything either, its pretty cheap to do if you use pep boys. autozone. etc. for an after market filter
Oil filter should be changed with every oil change. The trouble sounds more like the alternator is acting up. Have the alternator checked.

Where are the fuel injectors located on a 1995 4.3 vortec engine?

i still have a misfire on cylinder 3 after i changed the spark plugs and wires someone has told me it might be one of the fuel injectors will pouring fuel injector cleaner in the tank solve the problemWhere are the fuel injectors located on a 1995 4.3 vortec engine?Injector cleaner won't fix any problem. If you unplug an injector %26amp; she still runs the same, test or replace that injector. Or to save some $ , swap 2 %26amp; see what happens.
Where are the fuel injectors located on a 1995 4.3 vortec engine?
in the fuel rail. it runs down each side of the engine. usually on the top side next to valve covers.
Where are the fuel injectors located on a 1995 4.3 vortec engine?
no it will not help check and see if the plug wire on #3 is on tight that will cause a misfire.
its in the fuel rail on that one ,i own a 95 s-10 and its the same thing you got basically ,all newer ones are on the fuel rail,in 95 they also made a vortec engine with a throttle body injection unit on it,i got one of those and it has the injectors in the throttle body,i thought i would add this because there was two different types of vortec engines used in those,good luck.
The Vortec engine uses injectors connected to a fuel %26quot;spider%26quot; beneath the intake plenum. They are notorious for failure and drivability problems.

This isn't something that the average do-it-yourselfer is going to be able to repair himself. I recommend that you locate a shop in town that specializes in fuel injection or take it to a shop that specializes in GM or the dealer.
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Chevy Astro Van Check Engine Light On - Air Idler Problem ???

Need someone who really know a Chevy Astro Van (1993 4.3L 2WD Extended Passenger Van)

This is How it happens.

1. Fuel injector bad, change the Fuel injector.

2. Map senor bad, Change new map senor.

3. Air idle problem, Change Air idle sensor.

4. Regulator bad, no pressure, Change the Fuel injector/regulator set again.

5. Everything looks fine.

6. Engine Run on idle for 10 mins till engine is hot, Check Engine light is on again. Computer Shows that it is the Air idle problem again.

7. Change fuel line and Fuel pump.

Is this because I did not clean the Air Throttle Body or the Air idle sensor is bad again, or something else.

Computer said ok to drive, and it is ok to drive, but if i let the vehicle idle for 20 seconds, the check engine light will come on again with the same message.

Can someone Help !!!!!Chevy Astro Van Check Engine Light On - Air Idler Problem ???Dear Astro Van-



Well it looks like you had your work cut out for you.



There is one detail that I really needed to know, and that was which 4.3L was in this Astro. The 8th VIN Digit will either be a %26quot;Z%26quot; or a %26quot;W%26quot; which indicates a Vortec 4.3L or the TBI Engine.



OK Here we go.



On the vans that are equipped with the %26quot;Z%26quot; motor they use a fuel injector setup that was a good idea, just poor execution.



The injector system used a Timed Fuel Distributor with these black soda straws that went out to each cylinder within the intake manifold. Depending on the type, (Generation 1 or Generation 2) you would either be required to replace the entire fuel distrubutor system, or you could replace the individual injector that wad bad.



These vans were also equipped with a TBI, (Throttle Body Injector). This looks like a modified Carbuetor with two large fuel injectors placed over a two barrel throttle plate and venturi body. If this is your system, then you need to check the base gasket on this TBI Unit. The base gaskets were notorious for becoming brittle and cracked . If you remove the air cleaner and open the throttle plates you may see a chunk of black hanging out down below the throttle plates. If you see this, this is the base gasket and it cracked and needs to be replaced.



The Idle Air Control Solenoids were also an issue on these vans. This is a round part that will have a plug on it normally near the base of the TBI Unit. This will just require a quick replacement.



The last thing that it might be on this van is the electronically controlled EGR Valve. This valve used to cause this van some trouble from time to time, and I know there was a warranty campaign on these parts. the valve will need to be replaced if this is the case.



My advice to you is to take the van to your local Chevrolet Dealership and let them have a look at it. If there are any warranty campaigns that need to be done to the vehicle, they may be covered under warranty with little or no charge to you. But the Chevrolet Dealership will have to make that determination.



Keep in mind that, yes you are paying a little more at the dealerships, but they are also working on that product all of the time and have the most up to date service information available to them.



I work in a Chevrolet Dealership. Most of the time when customers come in with trouble with their Chevrolet Products, they have taken them to a private shop for issues such as the ones that you are experiencing. Normally when these vehicles leave the Dealership, they are not having problems anymore. Also Chevrolet backs up all of the work their technicians perform with a 12 month or 12,000 mile warranty on the work and the parts.



It may cost you a few buck more, but I own two Chevrolet's and the piece of mind is worth the extra money I pay.



I hope I helped you out! Good Luck!
Chevy Astro Van Check Engine Light On - Air Idler Problem ???
Since you stated this is a %26quot;W%26quot; engine, my guess is that it will be the base gasket on the TBI Unit, which will mean removal of this unit to replace the gasket. If this does nit solve the problem, then you have an ECM Issue, and only the dealer can repair it.

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Chevy Astro Van Check Engine Light On - Air Idler Problem ???
the idle air control code does not mean the sensor is bad for sure.



you need to test the wireing harness.



and a sludged up throttle body could also cause this code



when you replaced it the first time was the passage clean?



if the throttle body is clean you need to test the wire harness



for 5 volt reverence and return signals from the sensor.



Paul



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I still dont know what to do with my 2000 nissan sentra?

i tryed changing the spark plugs and the fuel injector cleaner. My car still surges when i hold the gas pedal steady. what should i do next?I still dont know what to do with my 2000 nissan sentra?Does your car feel like it's going to stall out on you when you apply steady pressure on the gas peddle?



Is it an intermittent hesitation? ( does it always happen or does it come and go?)



I have a '92 Acura Integra that does the same thing.

I found out that it was a common thing for Integra's to do this.

To fix it was to replace the throttle position sensor.

It may be the same problem or may be not. See if there's any recalls on this matter at the Nissan dealer.
I still dont know what to do with my 2000 nissan sentra?
Replace throttle position sensor.
I still dont know what to do with my 2000 nissan sentra?
Trade it for a Toyota! I owned one Nissan and NEVER again! In my opinion, they should be used for boat anchors, they'd serve a better purpose! However, I agree with James B!
Call NPR's %26quot;Cartalk%26quot; and ask Click %26amp; Clack. It's probably your fuel pump, though. I had a '92 with a recall on the fuel pump although I had no actual problems out of it.
get the throttle body checked out. it sounds like a blockage if it is surging forward. without more info i can't say much more. also get the carburrettor checked out
sounds like a censor, fuel filter, oxygen censor, this may help, if not try a mechanic, that's the best i can do sorry
Check for vacuum hose leaks.The fuel pressure regulator could be defective.check pressure at fuel rail.Have you changed the fuel filter.try that first.Could be a weak fuel pump.