QuestionHello Tom,
This is more of an update rather than a question, about my past woes with the Buick and P0170. As I said in previous messages, I went back to the original front O2 sensor and for some reason, the codes went away. I was able to pass inspection and all was good. A week or two later, the same code appeared once again. The CEL was illuminted and I sat scratching my head. It remained on for a few days then went away. A few days later, it appeared again. Now since then, it comes on for a day or two, then goes away for a week or two. There appears to be no rhyme or reason to it and since my car is legal, I don't mind so much now.
The only real symptom I have is, sometimes after stops, upon restart the car doesn't want to idle steady, as it lopes up and down until a min or two then it steadies. I used to see this only after I put fuel in, any amount, but it doesn't seem to matter now because it will do it random times regardless of whether I stopped for fuel or not. It's a nagging problem, but not one to leave you stranded. My wife doesn't know the little peccadillos like I do, so she asked me why it does this and I just said rev it a min or so and it will be fine after. Which it always is. Car has always run well. If I happen to figure it out one day, then I'll know and can die happy. but until then, it's just one of those things.
The alignment I got because I replaced the rear frame... This one bugs me. Before the alignment, car was straight and steady and I never noticed any real tire wear inside or outside edge. For the most part, it was true or close. Then after the alignment, which kid said it was way off, when braking it pulls to the left and car veers right slightly. Brakes are very good, and I'm not convinced it has anything to do with the brake caliper sliders or hoses. Ever since, it is a bit unsteady braking and I just feel like it doesn't track straight anymore. I did not, nor will I, bring it back to that place and it isn't worth my time to get it re-aligned/check. It's one of those things where I def think I should've stayed with my old motto of, if it isn't broke, don't fix it. I really feel it would've been fine w/o that alignment, but too late now. However, I do agree that in most cases, it is needed. Just not this time.
This was such a great car and now it's going slowly out to pasture. It doesn't feel as good as it used to and my faith is dwindling. I can still drive and take care of it, but not going to put any more $$ than I have to to keep it going for now. A new car, or newer car, is in the near future. Thanks for your advice as always, I do appreciate the help you have given me along the way.
AnswerHI MIKE,,JUST FOR THE HECK OF IT,REMOVE THE AIR INTAKE AND GET YOURSELF SOME CARBURETOR CLEANER, WITH THE ENG OFF,OPEN THE THROTTLE PLATE ALL THE WAY AND SPRAY THE CARB CLEANER ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE THROTTLE PLATE TO CLEAN IT REAL GOOD..USE A SOFT CLOTH IF NEED BE TO CLEAN IT REAL GOOD..PUT IT BACK TOGETHER AND HOLD THE THROTTLE TO THE FLOOR WHILE YOU CRANK IT UP TO START..THIS WILL BE FLOODED SO HOLD IT TO THE FLOOR TO GET A LOT OF AIR INTO IT..ONCE IT STARTS BACK OFF THE THROTTLE SO NOT TO BLOW THE ENG [LOL] AND KEEP IT ABOUT @ 1500 RPM'S TILL IT RUNS SMOOTH. SEE IF THIS TAKES CARE OF THE LOPING PROBLEM...
I KNOW YOU DO NOT FEEL THE BRAKE CALIPERS ARE A PROBLEM,BUT THE WAY YOU EXPLAIN THIS IT SOUNDS LIKE IT TO ME..PULLING TO THE RIGHT, AND VEERING TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKING..SOUNDS LIKE THE RF CALIPER MAYBE HANGING UP A BIT...ALSO TRY CROSSING THE FRONT TIRES. LEFT TO RIGHT..SEE IF IT VEERS TO THE LEFT WITHOUT BRAKING..IF SO THE PLYS IN THE FRONT TIRES ARE CAUSING THIS...GOOD LUCK WITH THIS,,,TOM....
