'96 850 Turbo running odd after curb bump

professorsunshine · Post by **professorsunshine** » 04 Sep 2021, 19:44

Long time lurker, first time poster here.
Today I took my fiancee out driving and while she was parking, she went a bit too far and the underside of the bumper scraped against the curb. After she backed out a bit the car was running really weird, and stalled after a few seconds. starting it up again, it was very low RPM, going between maybe 500 RPM and 1500 every couple of seconds or so. it cant get above 2k RPM and there's a whiring sound coming from the engine when you press the accelerator.
It's got a few engine codes too.
P0103: MAF/VAF high input
P0172: system too rich
P0173: system too lean (It's had this one for a while, it's an issue with the PCV system)
I'm pretty certain that it's some air hose that came loose or a hose that needs replacing, maybe a sesor came disconnected, but if anyone has come across something like this before give me a heads up, what fixed it for you? what should I look at first?
I've already tried running it without the MAF plugged in, replugging the MAF, and reseating the ECU's. None of those fixed it.

Post by **Sveedy** » 04 Sep 2021, 20:02

Sounds like an air leak problem so you might check the bottom hose on the intercooler, since that's in the bumper area. I had the same issue at one point. Unfortunately it was a cracked tank on the intercooler in my case. They are plastic and after years of heat it doesn't take much to crack them. Smoke test is what finally diagnosed it.

professorsunshine · Post by **professorsunshine** » 04 Sep 2021, 20:07

Thanks for the quick reply. I might be out of my element here, but would something like that be possible to fix with tape or JB weld? Does it need to be airtitght once fixed?

Post by **scot850** » 04 Sep 2021, 20:38

I would say the same. There is a small drain hole in the bottom of the intercooler. So it is not 100% sealed. But much more than that and you can get issues. The intercooler may be repairable, but the issue is usually they get oily inside from oil leaking from the turbo. So getting a seal may be a challenge with glue. Worth a try but you will have to clean it thoroughly before trying.

Hopefully it is the pipe that got pulled.

Neil.

Post by **abscate** » 07 Sep 2021, 02:06

It needs to be airtight, indeed.

If it cracks, unmetered air gets pulled into the engine, and so this air does not get fuel added, so the engine will run extremely tough. If it gets better at higher rpms, it’s almost a certain diagnostic for loose induction/ unmetered air

Post by **BlackBart** » 07 Sep 2021, 12:40

Can confirm. We once hit a pile of onions (yes) that had blocked a mountain freeway in the middle of the night. Fell off the back of a semi - dark curve, no time to react. Broke the intercooler and that car wouldn't run. It would idle, but that was it. 3 mpg, 2 1/2 hours to get 70 miles home. The computer has no idea what's going on and can't meter the fuel correctly. Rich / lean / black smoke / stumbling and sputtering.

On a positive note, the car smelled like fresh onion rings when the exhaust warmed up for weeks afterward. Insurance company was skeptical until someone looked underneath at shredded onions.

Post by **abscate** » 07 Sep 2021, 18:38

BlackBart wrote: ↑07 Sep 2021, 12:40 Can confirm. We once hit a pile of onions (yes) that had blocked a mountain freeway in the middle of the night. Fell off the back of a semi - dark curve, no time to react. Broke the intercooler and that car wouldn't run. It would idle, but that was it. 3 mpg, 2 1/2 hours to get 70 miles home. The computer has no idea what's going on and can't meter the fuel correctly. Rich / lean / black smoke / stumbling and sputtering.

On a positive note, the car smelled like fresh onion rings when the exhaust warmed up for weeks afterward. Insurance company was skeptical until someone looked underneath at shredded onions.

Onion ring job, obviously.

If you unplug the MAF, you can improve the limp mode

Post by **Eddystone** » 08 Sep 2021, 06:21

scot850 wrote: ↑04 Sep 2021, 20:38 I would say the same. There is a small drain hole in the bottom of the intercooler. So it is not 100% sealed. But much more than that and you can get issues. The intercooler may be repairable, but the issue is usually they get oily inside from oil leaking from the turbo. So getting a seal may be a challenge with glue. Worth a try but you will have to clean it thoroughly before trying.

Hopefully it is the pipe that got pulled.

Neil.

Neil, you can fix ANYTHING with JB Weld. Believe me. I know.

Post by **scot850** » 08 Sep 2021, 11:19

I know it is good stuff, but making sure any crack is cleaned as well as possible will help for the glue to penetrate and grip in the crack better. Even JB weld will struggle to stick to an oily base for a long term fix. I have a small plastic welding torch ( it is like a wider soldering iron) which I use first and then JB Weld over that as it leaves a good clean surface. I repaired my last dash repair that way and with metal included in the repair, I think the car will break before the dash does! I have another to tackle this winter on the 'R' as it is beginning to bug me even the little I drive it.

Neil.