So have gotten beaten up, scratched and bruised fighting the intercooler hoses back on, I started the car to see if by any miracle I had managed to improve how it was running. I never actually drove the car before working on it so it will be unclear if driving it will make any obvious improvement to me.
I have still to remove the DTC's from the ECU memory (all 10 of them) to see if any have been fixed or if I am no further forward.
What I have done is:
1) Fitted new NGK plugs gapper to -.028"
2) Cleaned the CVVT exhaust solenoid and replaced the gasket and filter (no filter in previous gasket). Unit had around 4.5 Ohms which is not terrible and actuated fine when triggered. The valve portion was not particularly dirty.
3) Replaced the split rubber inlet pipe to the intercooler, and the cracked outlet intercooler to TB pipe.
4) Replaced all the cracked coils (but I think they were still working) with newer used coils with no cracks.
5) Cleaned and removed all the leaking engine oil from the coils and boots.
6) Cleaned all electrical connections that were taken apart during work
7) Cleaned the MAF
9) Cleaned the inlet temp sensor to the TB
10) Cleaned the throttle body (TB)
When we restarted the car it ran a little lumpy initially but quickly cleared and ran smoothly which it did not before. So a win.
I got my son to raise the idle speed for a few seconds and let it drop back to idle.
When he did that, the engine revs dropped below idle and stumbled, but quickly returned to normal.
Any thoughts on the possible cause(s) for this might be? Air leak, O2 sensors (upstream is not registering), fuel pressure, etc.,
Appreciate any help. I hope to take the car for a brief run (I don't like driving on 13 year old tires!!) to see what is any codes resurface.
Thanks,
Neil.






