QuestionWell I have checked for vaccuum leaks and can't find any. I also removed the oil filler cap and it seemed to have a small Vaccuum, not much though. Is this the type of code (soft) that would go out once we solve the problem? Plugs look clean. Would the vent valve emit oil? I am noticing oil on the left side of the block? Any connection to my problem? Thanks Again, Chuck
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-----Question-----
It seems ever since I replaced the power steering hose the "service engine soon" light has been on. I have replaced the Air filter and fuel filter both. I have a OBDII scan tool check the code and it said the "engine was running lean on 2 cylinders"? What repair can I make myself that might solve the problem? I am trying to save a few bucks! Thank you, Chuck
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Hello Charles,
The steering hose has no relation to the check engine light.
And the fuel filter too, provided that it is an original one or at least a good one that provides a good supply of fuel to the fuel rail.
Could you have misread the OBD code description of running lean on 2 cylinders? Perhaps you refer to lean on 2 banks
(bank 1 is cylinders 1 to 3 or the first 3 cylinders from the front, and bank 2 is cylinders 4 to 6). And if your OBD scanner can read live data stream, I wish you could tell me the short term fuel trim and long term fuel trim readings.
Lean readings mean there is more air than fuel in the fuel mixture as per 02 sensor findings. Usually it is due to a vacuum or air leak. Theoretically but very rarely, it can also be due to lack of fuel. First check the hoses connecting the air filter and air flow meter, also the hose going to the throttle valve (you may need a mirror and flashlight here). Tighten loose connections if any. Replace any torn hose.
Then remove the upper engine and intake manifold covers,
check for wornout or perforated vacuum hoses (small hose going to secondary air pump on right side of engine, and
various hoses at top of and below intake manifold area).
While I do not recommend that you do this, professional mechanics spray brake cleaner on air and vacuum hose areas to see if the engine rpm would go up (with or without a scanner to see if the live 02 readings would change). This is obviously a fire hazard and dangerous even with a fire extinguisher on hand.
If you can not find any vacuum leak, remove the spark plugs and see if the plugs have oil in it. Related to this, uncap the engine oil filler cap very slowly and see if there is vacuum/pressure, if there is none, you have a bad crankcase vent valve at the left side of the engine beneath the intake manifold. This has to be replaced but I can't see you being able to do this.
If there is no vacuum or air leak, no oil on the plugs, ample hissing when you remove the oil filler cap, then it is most probably a bad mass airflow meter. You can do the replacement (but it is not a cheap part).
Please update me on your progress or lack of.
Tino
AnswerHi Charles,
Thanks for your update. But you had been kind of selective on your info. You failed to touch on my inquiry if your scanner read a fault on 2 cylinders or 2 banks, or my request for fuel trim data.
And yes, check engine lights due to trim faults go away after numerous instances of the engine running with no faults being recorded. But the fault stay on record until you clear them. You can clear them, because they normally come back after a drive of 2 to 6 miles.
Regarding the oil leak on the left side of the engine, verify where it is coming from( oil filter housing, camshaft sensor or vanos, valve cover gasket, or the vacuum hoses ---one small and 3 big hoses connected to the crankcase vent valve).
If it is coming from the hoses of the vent valve (which is located at the slightly front middle area of the left side of the engine), then you can just replace the hose or hoses.
But the vent valve itself will not show signs of leaking oil except where it connects to the hoses.
And if you can not find vacuum or air leaks, I guess spraying brake cleaner on the hoses would be an option (which as I have already said should only be done by an experienced mechanic in an open space and with a ready fire extinguisher).
Other than this, it is the MAF.
Tino
