97 Trooper stalling

zippy · Mar 28, 2005

Hi,
I decided to take my trooper in to have the valve cover gaskets replaced and the egr passage cleaned and the egr replaced. Now my trooper intermittently stalls when I stop. It doesn't choke or try to keep going it's like someone turns off the switch. When it is in this stalling mode I have to keep one foot on the gas and one on the brake to keep it from stalling. It pumps out black smoke out of the tail pipe and accelerates very roughly until it reaches 15 or so mph. My check engine light came on and the code was P0101 MAF or VAF CKT Range/Perf. I bought a used MAF and replaced it but it still does the same thing. I took it back to the mechanic but he insists it's not anything he did when he did the repairs.
I changed the plugs with the required NiponDensos and it ran great for about an hour. I thought I fixed it. Then it sat over night and stalled the next morning within the first couple minutes driving. Then after reaching my destination it was running fine. Also when I crank it first thing in the morning it doesn't idle like it did before. It used to idle for 10 seconds or so, depending on how chilly it is, at about 11 - 13 hundred rpm. Now it idles at about 6 no matter what the weather is. I've replaced some of the vacuum hoses and have been disconnecting the battery and reconnecting. I'm about at a loss and am near the point of going into the dealer with this. I really don't want to do that. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
--Michael

bigpoppax2 · Mar 28, 2005

Sounds like you have cracked intake manifold gaskets. They are a pretty simple replacement and cost is around 40 bucks for the two gaskets.

Do a search and you should find a procedure for changing them. I know I've answered this question a couple of times at least.

Joe

zippy · Mar 28, 2005

Thanks Bigpapa,
I've thought about that and have done searches on the IMG. But, they should have replaced that gasket when they did the valve covers, shouldn't they? I'd have to look at the receipt to see if I was charged for it. Wouldn't they be responsible to replace it at their expense?

Thanks,
--Michael

bigpoppax2 · Mar 29, 2005

But, they should have replaced that gasket when they did the valve covers, shouldn't they?

No they are two different locations. The valve cover gaskets are under the two valve covers on the top/sides of the engine. The intake manifold gaskets are directly on top of the engine. So no they wouldn't have to change those to get to the valve cover gaskets.

I'd have to look at the receipt to see if I was charged for it. Wouldn't they be responsible to replace it at their expense?

I'm sure you weren't charged for it and no you will either pay them to do it or do it yourself. It's not very hard.

Joe

zippy · Mar 29, 2005

Thanks Joe,
They charged me for a plenum gasket and a throttle body gasket. I think they had to take off the whole top to get to the valve covers. What is the plenum?
Thanks,
--Michael

zippy · Mar 31, 2005

Here is what I did: I took off the air handler and sprayed carb cleaner in the throttle body as I revved the throttle with my left hand. After 10 seconds or so I noticed the black smoke quit so I let go of the throttle and it idled normally. This puzzled me and I looked at the throttle body and around the engine for about 10 minutes. Then I noticed a "sensor" plugged right into the throttle body. I unscrewed the 2 little screws and popped out what looked like a plunger with a spring on it. It had lots of carbon built up on it and wouldn't move. I cleaned it with carb cleaner till it was shiny and moved freely and replaced it. I no longer got a CEL after doing this. It stayed that way for a day while I drove it. It still stalled and had a hard time starting every now and again, but with no CEL. So I changed the fuel filter. No she's running like new again!! I found out that sensor is an idle control and was probably sticking causing the p0101 error. In combination with a clogged fuel filter, my car sputtered and spat and wouldn't run. It's my feeling that the mechanic should have cleaned that idle sensor when he cleaned the EGR passage way but then, what do I know about mechanics?

Thanks,
--Michael

97 Trooper stalling

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