VS v6 a bit under the weather.

[Jason]

hi everyone!

need some help.
Got a '96 vsI Acclaim (auto), 130k on the clock, v6, with no mods to speak of.

over the last few months i've noticed a drop in power (used to squeal easy taking off hard, now wont even try), and its using too much fuel...used to be about 11 lit/100, now its about 13.5/100.
It takes heaps longer than it used to to start, and when its cold and you go to rev it (i know its not good, and i dont make a hobby of it), it just splutters and almost dies.
once its warm, it revs no worries.

anyway, took it to the service centre, who cheerfully releived me of $300 for a "full service" and oil change. did new plugs, leads, checked mixture, computer, etc - all OK - but i take it home and god damn, maybe worse than before. :b:
so i take it back, they recommend getting the injectors cleaned - apparently were pretty dirty, but $200 later, and i will be F##cked if its any better.

anyone got any suggestions?
-btw, the oxgen sensors showed up as fine in diagnostics, but could they still be dodgy?

any help or ideas really appreciated!
thanks guys.

[t3zza]

hi everyone!

need some help.
Got a '96 vsI Acclaim (auto), 130k on the clock, v6, with no mods to speak of.

over the last few months i've noticed a drop in power (used to squeal easy taking off hard, now wont even try), and its using too much fuel...used to be about 11 lit/100, now its about 13.5/100.
It takes heaps longer than it used to to start, and when its cold and you go to rev it (i know its not good, and i dont make a hobby of it), it just splutters and almost dies.
once its warm, it revs no worries.

anyway, took it to the service centre, who cheerfully releived me of $300 for a "full service" and oil change. did new plugs, leads, checked mixture, computer, etc - all OK - but i take it home and god damn, maybe worse than before. :b:
so i take it back, they recommend getting the injectors cleaned - apparently were pretty dirty, but $200 later, and i will be F##cked if its any better.

anyone got any suggestions?
-btw, the oxgen sensors showed up as fine in diagnostics, but could they still be dodgy?

any help or ideas really appreciated!
thanks guys.

Mate a few things that come to mind that coule be stuffing up..

-Check your airflow meter etc, ensure none of the cables are corroded.
-Your crank sensor might be stuffed explaining the idle problem. Huge problem with these cars
-Throttle could need a good clean (although you think they would check that)
-Check the compression of ya cylnders...
-Fuel could be next prob, ie filter or pump

umm wat else... not sure but hey give those a shot... I had a VS serries 2 and those were some of the problems i had with the life of the car.


Cheers

Terry

[Jason]

thanks dude! Think ill have a look at the sensors...btw do you know,when you talk about the sensors being "dodgy" - can it be a case of them being dirty, gummed up with crap which can be cleaned? or do they just screw up and need to be replaced?

thank for the help!

[t3zza]

thanks dude! Think ill have a look at the sensors...btw do you know,when you talk about the sensors being "dodgy" - can it be a case of them being dirty, gummed up with crap which can be cleaned? or do they just screw up and need to be replaced?

thank for the help!

Yeah mate mine just needed a clean to be honest. I used some good spray for the plugs that works well, it cleans the plugs and protects them I will get the name of it for you later mate...

[ChRiDDa]

fuel pressure regulator if its having trouble starting!
does it start, then choke and then sometimes die?
get someone to start the car for you while u stand at the back and if u see a cloud of black smoke or smell petrol, its gonna be the regulator
happened on my ss
$170 later thank u very much for such a small part!
and thats 170 for the PART, i installed it myself

[natsvr]

I just wanna add something that u might not wanna read but oh well,i have been told by a few mechanics that cleaning the injectors is a waste of money.Reason being that the pressure they use to force the fuel in, they dont get chance to get dirty.This may be bull but thats what i'm told.

[ChRiDDa]

nar i disagree.. well to a certain extent. i believe the only way to PROPERLY clean a set of fuel injectors is to take them out of the car and have them ultrasonically cleaned!
here, the injectors are opened up, all the filter baskets are replaced and spray patterns are assessed and adjusted if needed
no amount of "in car cleaning" or "injector cleaner" is going to properly clean them!

[natsvr]

I agree with that chridda,keeping them on the car and being cleaned may be what they were meaning.

[Jason]

thanks guys!

but no, they were actually taken out and cleaned/checked for spray pattern (all cleaned up well except one, which was borderline but okay). the car doesnt seem to smoke excessively. too kit for a long trip a few days ago. Fuel economy a fraction under 10L/100!!! and that with a fair bit of city driving too!!! i think having the injectors cleaned has made a difference to economy.
But still same problem - doesnt like starting, wont rev when cold.
been busy so havnt done anything about anything yet.

how would i go about checking sensors? i dont even know where they are!
is there anything like an online guide as to location/how to remove/clean O2 sensors and such?

thanks for the posts!
-Jason

[Doctor Bob]

Oxy Sensors wont cause a starting problem because they dont have any effect on a cold engine.
from your description sounds like the coolant temp sensor may be crook
its telling the pcm the engine is colder than it actully is over fuelling it.

Rob

[fitzy2005]

its prob. ur fuelk pump, to make sure get a fuel pressure test

[Raging Bull]

It's 100% either your thermostat/coolant temp sensor. I had an identical problem with my car on cold starts and noticed poor consumption, get it replaced and no more problems.