Ran seafoam in egr on 98 Prelude, now car idles rough, flashing CEL?

Question

Ok, had a insufficient egr valve CEL, so I seafoamed where the egr mounts on the intake manifold. First time was good, smoked out some carbon so I did it again...

Now the CEL came back on and is blinking, car feels like its gonna die at idle because it shakes. Also pings when accelerating. Took it to autozone, pulled the code say a cylinder 1 misfire, i'm gonna check the plugs next. Any ideas?

Answer 1

You have two different issues to address; the first is the 'insufficient EGR' and the second is the engine misfire. The check engine light (MIL) is flashing because you probably fouled out the #1 cylinder spark plug when you burnt off the stuff that you ran through the egr. Change the spark plug and that will probably take care of that problem. Note--when the malfunction indicator light is flashing you can cause damage to the catalytic converter because there is unburnt fuel getting down the exhaust. Do not continue to run the engine without fixing the misfire or you'll be looking at $1000 for a new converter. I'm assuming the misfire did not exist prior to your working on the egr...

As for the EGR, there are two possible scenarios. the first is that the EGR is working but that the exhaust gas is not flowing through the EGR ports and back into the intake manifold. That could be caused by carbon blockage in the intake. That appears to be what you were trying to get rid of. We won't know if that was successful until you fix the misfire, clear the code and drive the car. (you can have autozone clear the codes for you after you fix the misfire).

If the code for the EGR comes back, then the valve is not working and you will have to replace the EGR valve. The valve is not hung open; Insufficient lift means it is not opening all the way or that the flow through the valve is reduced by the carbon in the passages.


hope that helps

Answer 2

Replace your EGR valve. It's stuck .

There are many components that work together in the engine to maintain optimal engine performance and economy.
A service engine soon, or check engine light indicates that there is a sensor that is reading a condition that is "out of range".
Simply resetting the light does not solve the initial cause of the problem.
Replacing a number of parts trying to troubleshoot the problem in the hopes of getting the light to stay off is a tremendous waste of time and money.
The simplest, and most economical way to alleviate your issue, is to have an engine diagnostic done by a reputable shop to determine what caused the computer to signal you to begin with. Just reading the computer codes may not find the "cause".

That being said, if per-chance you feel the need to reset the light in the hopes that it was a "glitch" of some kind, you could disconnect the negative battery terminal for a couple of minutes to clear the check engine light.

Answer 3

I also have a Mini Cooper, and it got here approximately that the easy for the gas CAP being closed replace into on the comparable circuit as a results of fact the warning easy for 'examine Engine' that would desire to sign substantial maintenance. It grew to become out which you're no longer "meant" to tutor on the vehicle whilst the gas cap is open, or eliminate the substantial from the ignition whilst pumping gas or some thing like that. stupid. whilst this does not clarify the vehicle stalling at idle and the different issues you describe, you'll be able to purely make valuable that the gas cap is last proper and don't do 2 issues at as quickly as the subsequent time you're filling the vehicle with gas. i could make valuable the vehicle has adequate ENGINE OIL, by skill of checking the dipstick (which a pal can truly do in case you don't understand how), and arranged for the service to have them examine the electricals and decide the stalling. The Mini broker needed $108 to envision my circuits exterior the traditional maintenance time, the crooks. yet that's the way of the international at present. each guy or woman have faith as I do this pc-chips in maximum autos are far extra problem than they are worth? Idiots utilising everywhere close to civilization with Ion-beam headlights designed for utilising on the moon please abstain from comments. We already understand the place you're coming from, and up your tailpipes is all I might desire to declare.