I had my check engine light come on, and stay on, so I took it into Advanced Auto for a free diagnostic. The code said I had an emissions problem. The person at the store said it could either be a leak in the tube that carries the gas, or that the gas cap wasn't on tight enough. The test turned off the light.
We turned the gas cap again just to be sure. After a few days the check engine light came back on. I'd gotten a new gas cap, and well..the light stayed on. So we know it's not the gas cap.
My mother said she saw a little smoke out of the tail pipe when I was pulling out the car to drive it up the block and back to test it.
My aunt, who's helping me with the car, is waiting for someone to get off their vacation first. It's a guy she trusts. So, as soon as he gets back, I plan to have it checked on.
The oil is fine, according to the dip stick. My car is a
1999 Hyundai Elantra. Any ideas what else might be going on.
2006-09-02 08:09:45 · 4 answers · asked by Voice 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The check engine light only comes on for emissions reasons... it is controlled by the ECU or Electronic Control Unit, computer for short.
The code should have explained the problem area but there could have been more than one.
On average, I would say the oxygen sensor is you most likely culprit and you may have more than one... one in front of the catalytic converter and possibly one after it. The code should direct you. Each costs about $65 if you go with an aftermarket source and install it yourself. A direct replacement can cost a couple hundred. I would go to another shop like Autozone and see if you can get a better response.
The oxygen sensor gives combustion information to the computer which then calculates how much fuel to spray into the cylinders... I would say you are running rich and smoking a bit from it unless there are other issues... after all, this is a Hyundai... not the most expensive car on the market.
Good luck!
2006-09-02 08:27:51 · answer #1 · answered by Les 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your check engine light will stay on until it is cleared, even if the gas cap fixed it. I doubt that was the problem though. If your car is smoking, it most likely is one of the O2 sensors picking that up or just gone bad. Not knowing the code, its almost imposable to tell what the problem is, but an emissions code could be just about anything from a bad head gasket causing you to burn antifreeze to a bad catalytic converter to anything in between. Best bet is find a better mechanic.
2006-09-02 08:19:32 · answer #2 · answered by JimmyJ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
probably an 02 sensor and as far as the smoke when you start it depends on the color. black\Grey is usally a valve seat wearing down. white smoke means get to your mechanic right away because this is from coolant leaking into your combustion chamber.
2006-09-02 08:18:17 · answer #3 · answered by crusher_mma 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you change the O2 sensor in the exhaust manifold that may solve your problem. They go bad and don't cost much.
2006-09-02 08:13:15 · answer #4 · answered by troy r 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋