Hotblooded_VR
New Member
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2009
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- 20
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- Location
- Adelaide
- Members Ride
- VR V6 3.8 Series2 Executive Commodore Wagon
Hi all. This is my first posting after viewing this site for the past 6 months. I have seen some suggestions as to what could be my problem but thought i'd outline what exactly the symptoms are. My VR Commodore wagon starts fine first thing in the morning but idles fast and roughly (just as though a manual choke is pulled out). When driving, it feels like the car is being pulled along the road without much accelerator needed. There is a small flat spot on acceleration most times also, but occasionally on what i call a "good start" that flat spot isnt there and the idle is better. The main problem is that after i have driven the car for even only a short time (like 10 minutes or more), it is almost impossible to start again after it's turned off. It belches black smoke when it does start and i have to really jiggle the gas pedal to keep it going till it smooths out. Once again i'll mention that it feels as though a manual choke is still pulled out and thats why it seems to have trouble starting when hot. Fuel economy is extremely heavy and there is a definate petrol smell when it is idling, although there are no leaks i can see. The engine management light (orange one on dash) can come on approx 2 minutes after starting and stays on for a few minutes then goes out and never comes on again till restarted, then repeats the cycle..2 mins into driving, 2 mins lit, then off. I have read quite a few posts relating to various sensors and i feel that one of the sensors is the problem, but i have no idea which one. I did have an oxygen sensor fail on it once before a few years ago, which gave me similar symptoms but I have had 2 mechanics check the car over the past year and both said the O2 sensor is fine. The car can get quite hot when idling also (1/2 - 3/4 on temp guage), but while driving the temp guage goes no higher than 1/4 or lower. It's very frustrating if I have to just run to the nearest shop 15 mins. away for some shopping then have to wait an hour at least before it will restart again (more or less "normally"). I have nearly flattened the battery a few times trying to start it and only pumping the gas pedal while cranking seems to get it going while belching clouds of black smoke, but that can generally take the best part of an hour in between rests. I dont know much about motors at my tender age of 57, but it seems to me it acts just like a manual choke or broken auto-choke vehicle and i know all the systems are computer controlled. Is there a way to get an error code without the need to buy an expensive hand held diag meter, and will the error show up even if the engine management light is unlit? Any help or suggestions will be so appreciated as this problem has existed for the past year and the cost of 2 mechanics plus the heavy fuel usage is killing me, not to mention a 15 minute trip can turn out to be long enough away from home for the missus to think i've run out on her! Awaiting suggestings with interest and hope i have entered my request in the correct part of the forum.
Hotblooded_VR
Hotblooded_VR