FP gauge

[Steve Wood]

time to do the mechanic-ing yourself...alm ost impossible to find a non Buick owning mechanic that has a clue

[phil_long]

The crazy thing is, this guy is THE buick guy. He's well known in the area for his expertise in TRs.  I'm sure anyone on the board living around the Saint Louis area heard of him.

[TR Custom Parts]

We have a complete mechanical fuel pressure gauge kit on our site. http://buickgn.com/fuelpressuregaugekit.htm

[SuperSix]

MARK!

Welcome.

[daveismissing]

We have a complete mechanical fuel pressure gauge kit on our site. http://buickgn.com/fuelpressuregaugekit.htm

Welcome Indeed.
I look forward to the time when the cars are running right and I can add some of your "pretty" parts.

[phil_long]

We have a complete mechanical fuel pressure gauge kit on our site. http://buickgn.com/fuelpressuregaugekit.htm

That actually looks pretty cool..might look into it.  Thanks

[phil_long]

Ok, so i hadn't really the drove the car since adjusting the fuel pressure, but I did want to check in and let you guys know that after adjusting the FP down to where it should be, I got a code 44.  I read up on Vortex Buicks to see what the cause could potentially be.  Guess my confusion is, with the FP adjusted higher, to where it was, I never got this code 44. Would the higher FP act as like a "band aid"?  Maybe my mechanic had it set that high to avoid this code....IDK.  Just looking for suggestions and understanding. 

[phil_long]

And just for a clearer understanding, I KNOW that adjusting the FP higher to avoid the problem is wrong, and I should start looking for the cause elsewhere oppose to FP.  Steve's site mentioned something about the block learn value being at 150, and that's exactly what the scantool is reading.  Car drives like crap too.  Lol

[phil_long]

Im not sure if should start another thread for this, or if it's relevant, but, when the car is first started (i believe open loop for stock chip) it runs like crap.  It cuts out under part throttle(in park) and I haven't been able to understand why.  I replaced the TPS a while ago, because I thought that was it, but no change.  The car has been this way since i had it, and i've been through the basics (plugs, wires, etc) and still no change.  Just feel like now it getting worse.  The IAC shows fine when car is warm.  I'm addressing issues now b/c i drove the car to work today, and wanna know what to look for on the ride home so i can give better input..althoug h this defeats the purpose if there's no response by the time i get off.  Lol

[SuperSix]

How about something simple like a vacuum leak?

[phil_long]

Thats a def possibility as well. I just patched up one a couple of months ago.  I suppose I should re-do all of them to eliminate that possibility?  And I reset the ECM, and the code haven't came back yet.  I drove to McDonald's and back and still no code.  Maybe on the ride home.  Thanks for the suggestion Supersix

[SuperSix]

Yes. You should replace all of them, it can't hurt. Check the basics, eliminate the silly stuff first. Make sure to zip tie the ones you can.

[Steve Wood]

Car is not getting enuf gas or it is getting too much air.

Hopefully, the fp gauge you used is accurate.  Turning the fuel pressure up can cover up the problem but it is not a proper fix and can cause other problems.

When the engine is cold, the ecm is running open loop and does not have much ability to adjust to the problem by changing the fueling.

Are you using a factory maf, or a translator/modern maf?  If factory maf, what is the maf reading at idle?

Make sure the O2 sensor is reasonably new.

Check the hoses between the maf and the throttlebody for leaks.

Make sure the pcv hose is not cracked and the pvc is in the intake...make sure it is not gummed up and stuck open as well...it should rattle if you shake it.

[phil_long]

Zip tie the vacuum lines that I can after replacing, got it.  I am using the factory MAF. Do you need readings in open loop or closed loop?  I will check the hoses between the MAF and TB for leaks.  Now, Im not familiar with the PCV hose, although I know I've seen it before. Lol.  Now the PVC being in the intake I'm also unfamiliar with..Sorry.

[phil_long]

And the O2 sensor hasn't been changed in at least 2 years.  Didn't think that was something that would go bad that soon.