Air filter replacement

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Transmission fluid isn't going to prevent the engine from starting.

All "crank, no start" conditions are approached in the same way. Every engine requires certain functions to be able to run. Some of these functions rely on specific components to work and some components are part of more than one function so it is important to see the whole picture to be able to conclude anything about what may have failed. Also, these functions can ONLY be tested during the failure. Any other time and they will simply test good because the problem isn't present at the moment.
If you approach this in any other way, you are merely guessing and that only serves to replace unnecessary parts and wastes money.

Every engine requires spark, fuel and compression to run. That's what we have to look for.

These are the basics that need to be tested and will give us the info required to isolate a cause.

1) Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester. If none found, check for power supply on the + terminal of the coil with the key on.

2) Test for injector pulse using a small bulb called a noid light. If none found, check for power supply at one side of the injector with the key on.

3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure, also noticing if the pressure holds when key is shut off.

4) If all of these things check good, then you would need to do a complete compression test.

Once you have determined which of these functions has dropped out,
you will know which system is having the problem.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, June 1st, 2020 AT 2:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BENDARE2
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
  • 1993 DODGE CARAVAN
Engine problem
1993 Dodge Caravan 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 252k miles

My 93 Caravan ran great/ well maintained.
It just start running rough/ idled slow/ hardly any power without pumping the pedal.

Worsened quickly(across town) no power/ if you hold the accellerator steady, it lopes/ dophins, and has a thumping backfire thru the intake.

I opened the air cleaner cover and it is sucking air like a jet engine! Loud roar. Never heard this noise before.

Puter code says O2/ replace it-not it/ replaced the ECG? Valve assembly, as per my mechanic. Nothing.

Gas pressure is good/ hoses are good.
BTW. The brake booster became intermittent/ because of the vacuum snafu I'm sure.

Now they have my engine top removed, trying to find the problem. Even the injectors. Tho I don't see a pressurized fuel system affecting the vacuum?

I need some help here before they decide to replace or rebuild the entire engine!

I mentioned the MAF(sp?) Sensor or the engine puter.I guess they didn't hear me. LOL!

HELP please. Ol'Ben
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, June 1st, 2020 AT 2:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BENDARE2
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
FOUND IT!

SPARK PLUGS? :Oops: Believe it?

They were so bad it shouldn't have run at all.

The bad plugs made all the sensors send signals to the puter that something was wrong.
. It was. All the sensors were right, except none pointed directly at the cause.

The puter, doing it's job, started slowly adjusting 'things'. Fuel/ air/. Etc. Til it reached a point where everything just snowballed.

Thought I was gonna have to rebuild old faithful!
The plugs were replaced and it ran. Ok but not good.
Already had replaced the ECG valve/ sensor.
Changed the MAP. Bingo. Runs good as ever.

Compression was super, @ about 125 on all cylinders?
Fuel pressure was great/ the injectors were fine.

252K+, and is like brand new.

I thought I'd share this.

Check those plugs! :Roll: :wink:

BTW. The old plugs? Bosch. They had 4 tips on them.
Good, I guess. I just ran them too long. LOL! :Shock:

Thanks. Ol'Ben
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, June 1st, 2020 AT 2:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDCRAIG
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 DODGE CARAVAN
My van started jerking as if there was water in the line. I added dry gas and this did not help actually promlem is getting worse. My husband went to auto zone and we put some kiind of engine cleaner in, also replaced the fuel filter, spark plugs, air filter and have cleaned the idle air motor. He thinks that it may be the fuel pump, but after speaking with another mechanic we are not so sure now. We were advised to check the EGR and the MAP. It starts this "jerking" at anytime. Cold, operating temp, slow in town speeds not over 40mph. It comes and goes, we dont dare take it out on trips of any length including using it for work. Also besides jerking it will stall out several times. When the jerking starts if you put the van into neutral it sometimes stops but as soon as the can is put into drive it stalls out. Please help with any advice you may have on what this may be. Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, June 1st, 2020 AT 2:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACKOTRADES
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
I would clean the battery terminals and make sure they are tight to start, then replace the air filter. If this doesn't help then have it put on diagnostics at a dealer, there diagnostic tools are more advanced and can tell more than the hand held code readers. But sounds like an air/ fuel mixture problem or a lack of one or the other.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, June 1st, 2020 AT 2:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDBROWN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1992 DODGE CARAVAN
Engine Performance problem
1992 Dodge Caravan 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 250K miles

The engine appears to lose power and then come up to full power an instant ( 1 sec or less) later when under load (going up a steep hill) or at freeway speeds. Runs great at idle w/o issue. I have replaced the plugs, wires, and ignition inductor block, the fuel filter and air filter. Our local shop has not been able to figure it out, either.
Any suggestions?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, June 1st, 2020 AT 2:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Have you checked engine compression? With 250K it may have a weak cylender.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, June 1st, 2020 AT 2:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDBROWN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Haven't checked it, but engine was rebuilt (by myself) at 147 K miles, so don't expect that is the issue.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, June 1st, 2020 AT 2:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
I understand. If you have good spark, fuel pressure, no vacuum leaks, timing is correct. I still think that may be something that needs checked. What all did you do when you rebuilt it?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, June 1st, 2020 AT 2:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDBROWN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I did the whole 9 yards: valve job, new rings, honed the cylinders (machine shop work), reground crankshaft & new bearings throughout. New oil pump.

You mentioned vacumn leak. We have a problem with one of the heater actuator valves, I believe, because the heater water valve will not fully open. Replaced the valve, no change. Plugged in full vacum to the valve and it opens fine. Trouble shot down to one of the actuators under the dash, but hadn't torn the dash apart to repair it yet. Could this be a cause?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, June 1st, 2020 AT 2:11 PM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links