Hi, all, Here's my current suffering, and I'll try to keep it short. Bought this 95 Eagle Vision 3.5 ESI (Intrepid clone) about 1 1/2 yrs ago, 79k miles on. Currently at 92k.
Ever since I bought it had a rough idle (shudder, trembling when in idle). Back then, tried to fix it, replaced plugs, wires, battery, air filter, PCV valve, intake manifold gasket. Nothing gives, shudder still there today, but note that allthose items are barely 1 year old. Occasional history of not starting in cold weather (teens and below) but I attributed that to fuel line freeze.
To top that, in the past couple of weeks due to extremely cold weather car won't start again, this time had a full tank of BP 93. Tow the car to my garage, heat up the garage, nothing gives, car would turn, crank but not start. A few days later still very cold in the garage, but I floored the gas pedal, keep cranking the key(suggestion from the group), some 20-30 secs later car starts in a cloud of smoke (probably flooded). Still starts and runs today, but with an apparent loss of power, check engine light on. I did the key trick, read the codes, 51 twice (lean air fuel mixture).
So I figure it's the O2 sensors (also from reading the group), bought
2 new ones and proceed to replace the old ones. BEFORE taking the old ones out, I just disconnected them, and I crank the key again, fully expecting not to start. Wrong! Car started as if nothing has happened. So, I postponed changing the sensors. Now, car is running but still sluggish, still check engine light on, still code 51. I'm afraid it won't start again in cold.Would welcome advice: could the O2 sensors still be bad and in need of replacement? If so, how come the car started with them disconnected? (Granted, car was warm at the time). If not, any other suggestions on what might be wrong? I only mentioned the shudder because I think it may be realted to the lean air/fuel mixture. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Sorin
Note: due to bad experiences with local shops, I'm reluctant to take the car to a local shop, until I find one trustworthy and knowledgeable, so I welcome suggestions in that department as well (I live in NE Ohio, Cleveland/Akron area). I found an excellent local mechanic for my Passat but he won't touch anything NOT European.