husker3in4
Probationary Member
- 16
- 0
- Jun 21, 2011
-
Omaha,
Nebraska
Ive had my Eclipse since I bought it off the lot in 99. It ran flawlessly for years until 4 years or so ago. It is still completely stock, 183k miles on it. I don't race it, but I do like to enjoy its power and quickness when I need it.
The main problem is when I floor the gas pedal, the engine cuts out and sputters, like its trying to GO but its not getting enough fuel or air to really go. If I ease into the gas pedal, the accelerates nicely. So it only does it when I floor it. Ive changed wires & plugs to no avail.
Second problem: When its hot outside and my engine is warm, it idles high, like between 1500 rpm and 3000 rpm. If its hot outside, I can start the car in the morning run errands, like go to the store etc. When I get back in it and start it again after being in the store, it will then idle high for the rest of my errands. In the winter it idles perfect at all times, and it only happens in the summer after the engine is warm and it is shut off and started again.
Third problem: Once the engine is warm (no matter the outside temp), there is alot of white smoke that comes out the exhaust. I really only notice it when I'm idling (high idle or not). The smell is hard to describe but to me it smells mostly like a water vapor smell, not really sweet but
not a harsh smell for sure.
Fourth problem: Its a manual transmission, and here just recently the bottom gears (2, 4 and R) intermittently go out, like they just aren't there anymore when I try to drop the stick into them. I took it to a buddy of mine who has done some work my car in the past, he felt the linkage on the left side of the motor and said it felt fine. Then he sat in the drivers seat and just kept working the stick thru the gears until magically the stick would slide into the bottom gears again. Fixed, right? The problem is, it doesn't stay fixed. I can be driving 15 miles thru traffic and have the bottom gears disappear, then I will work the stick thru the gears at a stop light and get them back, then go out again a few miles down the road. Sometimes they are fine for a days driving but the next day its doing it again. What gives?
The first 3 problems I have had for 4 or so years, but I don't remember if one happened before the other or both happened at the same time. I can drive the car just fine, but its kind of a pain with the high idle and the bottom gears going out intermittently.
It would be nice if i could get the acceleration without sputtering when I floored it. That and the white smoke kinda worries me that there might be something else wrong with the engine.
After some research the consensus seems to say the sputtering when I floor it is a boost leak. When I called one of the few shops around that will do a boost leak and described my issue, he didn't think it was a leak but told me to check my codes, so here goes:
Codes:
P1105 - Fuel Pressure Solenoid. Just clean and/or replace? Could this be affecting any of the above problems?
P0446 - Evaporative Emission Control System Vent Control Valve Circuit. Just a gas cap maybe? Is this part of one of the above problems?
P0505 - IAC Malfunction. This seems pretty straight forward, and could be the direct cause of my high idle. but does it mean IAC valve or IAC motor? I replaced an IAC valve in an 01 Escape and it was 2 bolts and done. How hard are these to change out?
Sorry for the terribly long read, but I wanted to give as much info as possible. Im a bit of a noob when it comes to auto mechanics, I can do simple things and can follow instructions from a detailed youtube vid if need be. I don't have a bunch of cash to throw at a mechanic so Id rather try to do most of it myself if it isn't too hard. If it does need a boot leak test, Id have the shop do it for $70, is that a fair price?
Any help is MUCH appreciated!
The main problem is when I floor the gas pedal, the engine cuts out and sputters, like its trying to GO but its not getting enough fuel or air to really go. If I ease into the gas pedal, the accelerates nicely. So it only does it when I floor it. Ive changed wires & plugs to no avail.
Second problem: When its hot outside and my engine is warm, it idles high, like between 1500 rpm and 3000 rpm. If its hot outside, I can start the car in the morning run errands, like go to the store etc. When I get back in it and start it again after being in the store, it will then idle high for the rest of my errands. In the winter it idles perfect at all times, and it only happens in the summer after the engine is warm and it is shut off and started again.
Third problem: Once the engine is warm (no matter the outside temp), there is alot of white smoke that comes out the exhaust. I really only notice it when I'm idling (high idle or not). The smell is hard to describe but to me it smells mostly like a water vapor smell, not really sweet but
not a harsh smell for sure.
Fourth problem: Its a manual transmission, and here just recently the bottom gears (2, 4 and R) intermittently go out, like they just aren't there anymore when I try to drop the stick into them. I took it to a buddy of mine who has done some work my car in the past, he felt the linkage on the left side of the motor and said it felt fine. Then he sat in the drivers seat and just kept working the stick thru the gears until magically the stick would slide into the bottom gears again. Fixed, right? The problem is, it doesn't stay fixed. I can be driving 15 miles thru traffic and have the bottom gears disappear, then I will work the stick thru the gears at a stop light and get them back, then go out again a few miles down the road. Sometimes they are fine for a days driving but the next day its doing it again. What gives?
The first 3 problems I have had for 4 or so years, but I don't remember if one happened before the other or both happened at the same time. I can drive the car just fine, but its kind of a pain with the high idle and the bottom gears going out intermittently.
It would be nice if i could get the acceleration without sputtering when I floored it. That and the white smoke kinda worries me that there might be something else wrong with the engine.
After some research the consensus seems to say the sputtering when I floor it is a boost leak. When I called one of the few shops around that will do a boost leak and described my issue, he didn't think it was a leak but told me to check my codes, so here goes:
Codes:
P1105 - Fuel Pressure Solenoid. Just clean and/or replace? Could this be affecting any of the above problems?
P0446 - Evaporative Emission Control System Vent Control Valve Circuit. Just a gas cap maybe? Is this part of one of the above problems?
P0505 - IAC Malfunction. This seems pretty straight forward, and could be the direct cause of my high idle. but does it mean IAC valve or IAC motor? I replaced an IAC valve in an 01 Escape and it was 2 bolts and done. How hard are these to change out?
Sorry for the terribly long read, but I wanted to give as much info as possible. Im a bit of a noob when it comes to auto mechanics, I can do simple things and can follow instructions from a detailed youtube vid if need be. I don't have a bunch of cash to throw at a mechanic so Id rather try to do most of it myself if it isn't too hard. If it does need a boot leak test, Id have the shop do it for $70, is that a fair price?
Any help is MUCH appreciated!
