Hey guys,

I know I shoulda posted this in the 'issues' forum but I wanted this to get as much exposure as possible since I need this issue resolved relatively quickly.

As most know, I put my car in storage for 4 months for the winter. Before storage, the car ran great, no issues what-so-ever. The car had just had its plugs and wires changed at 62, XXX miles ( It is now at 71, XXX ). The coils havent been changed since 20K miles.

Fast forwarding, I just took it out of storage a few days ago. First day I took it out, the car started right up (after a jump start) and ran great, until it was completely warmed up. WHen completely warmed up, it stalls when the clutch is pushed in or when I come to a stop, the car WILL NOT MAINTAIN AN IDLE WHEN WARM. WHen driving, it feels normal, has all power, no power loss AT ALL. But when you push the clutch in, straight down to 0 rpms.

So far, I have:

Filled the tank with new gas
Cleaned the MAF sensor
Reset the ECU
Checked all vac lines- no leaks
Checked ignition wires - found one a little popped up, pushed it down.

All the car really needs is an oil change since its had the same oil for 6 months but I doubt that's relavent to this issue.

My LAST guess is coils? But how could a car go into storage running perfect come out with issues?

Being completely honest, Im in the middle of moving and I'm not in the financial position right now to play trial and error with this issue. If there is ANYONE remotely close to GURNEE / ROUND LAKE area that could maybe help with this diagnosis, I would greatly appreciate it and I will reimburse you for time/gas.

Do 50K mile coils sound like the culprit?

 

Anything chew on your wiring? Check around for rodent damage...

Also might want to check for a CEL or pending one.....usually something like this will trigger a CEL

 

There is always a cel, I have a midpipe

No rodent damage.

 

You could always try some fuel stabilizer too. There may be moisture still hiding in there, unless you completely drained the tank and the fuel rails and lines. My snowblower does the same thing, and stabilizer usually does the trick, even if I'm convinced there's no water in there. Worth a shot.

Inspect plugs, wires, get the battery load tested at a nearby autozone.

 

Done all three.

My tank wasnt full when it went into storage - stupid on my part I know

But I filled the tank now, shouldnt that have cleared out the moisture?

 

It still may be possible to have some trapped water in the system somewhere. It may have been in the lines/fuel rail/fuel pump when you filled up, and may be trapped in there. May not be the case, but just a thought.

 

yea, that makes sense.

Just a side note, last september (month before storage) my car was doing the same issue one day, so I went out and pushed on all the ignition wires and the issue went away completely and my idle was smooth showing no signs of a problem. Is it possible that something is connected wrong?

Is there any Chicago peeps that can come take a look?

 

Anyone else have any tips, suggestions?

I need to get this car running withing the next day or two......

I'm buying fuel stabalizer on the way home from work so we'll see if that'll help.

 

I know this isn't helpful to the immediate situation but long term storage is a bitch on cars. Lot's of times it doesn't cause any immediate problems but lots of times it does. It's just like why do houses/buildings deteriorate more quickly when unoccupied?

And if your coils have 50k on them, they are old. Not sure they are the root cause, they they are not helping anything. OE coils are only good for ~30k miles.

 

Could be a bad throttle body.

 

Adding fuel stabilizer after the fact doesn't really work

If you think you have water in the fuel...which is possible if your tank was partly full...add methyl hydrate....about 8-10 oz to the tank...that will absorb the water and let it burn off

Plugs can corrode as well and not work properly

You should get the code read..it may tell you what the problem is

 

I forgot that is nearly exactly the symptoms of your car....der.


If anyone wants to run down here to pick up my spare and take it up to that guy to test it out be my guest.

 

I know you said you have a CEL and a midpipe, but have you had the codes read? There may be more codes in the ECU than the one for the midpipe.

 

gone bad over 4 months of no driving?

Also, I see your in Chicago, anyway you could come check it out, Ill pay for gas expenses??

 

I have not, no.

Its hard to get this thing to an autozone when it dies at every stoplight/ stop sign.

That's why Im trying to get a local member to stop by and take a look, or hopefully someone local has a device to read the code and see.

As stated, Ill pay for any gas expenses, I just need some help here.

 

Yea, his just ate it out of no where. Drive ~20 miles, parked the car for a couple hours. Started it back up later to leave and the thing was toast.

 

When my throttle body went bad I had some similar issues...and you've got some miles on the car so I'm thinking it may be just coincidence it failed right after storage...

Where are you located in the area (I'm downtown)? I have a narrow window where I may be able to meet up with you on Sunday. Another thing you could do is post up in the Chicago meets/lounge section and see if anyone else can meet with you...if it is the throttle body all you'd need to do is pull theirs and throw it in yours...if the car runs well - you've found the issue.

 

Yeah, I seem to recall we swapped mine for MDW's throttle body, and then his car wouldn't run, and mine ran like a top afterward.

 

Im about 40 minutes north of you, Im near six flags in Gurnee. Ill pay for your gas, set your odometer and Ill figure at 17mpg if you taking your 8

Let me know if you can stop up

BTW I posted this in the Chicago lounge earlier today.

 

How much would it be to repair if it is the throttle body ?

 

you mean replace?

i'll look it up. please hold.


I suppose I am the most logical choice since I have an extra throttle body sitting here aren't I?

god damnit. I hate driving all the way up there.

 

I'll send you a pm tomorrow if I can make it on Sunday...but I can't promise anything.

 

yea, Im really hoping its not the throttle body but if you can make it up here, Ill pay for gas as mentioned. This is honestly the last thing I need / can afford right now.

 

Mac and Red devil were correct, my throttle body was toast.

Replaced it and now the car is running like new

Special thanks to Mac for making the trip up here to help me out .

 

Great news.

Good Go Kyle!