Ok, so I get up this morning and I go to get some lunch and my car is running fine. I get out of where I was eating and the car starts acting up. The engine started to run verry erratic on 5 cyclinders or less...(V6)..not good at all....The car would not throw a code or any lights which didn't make much sence to me. I put my tune back to stock and still no code and the problem just got worse. The problem goes away after the car idles for a few min. but comes right back as soon asI try to start driving. The exhaust note sounds horrible and the whole car shakes.....

At first I was thinking spark plug or a loose wire or an injector problem....But then I started to think harder.....

Last night I had to leave my car alone in a parking lot with some jerkoff kids I know. I had to leave it to help some girl jump start her car with one of my buddies. The kidswere there drinking beer in the parking lot and being low lifes....Now I wonder if one of them poured a beer into my gas tank...how much would that mess things up for me? I dipped my finger into the filler neck and smelt it....I kinda smelt like a mix of beer and gas but I can't be sure....Now im not sure this is the case, but I can't think of any other reason for my car to run perfect one day, and then like this today...

I know I will have to either drain the gas (1/4 of a tank)or take it to the dealer...but if anyone can help at all that would be great.....thanks.

 

Hopefully that's not the case, but from what you describe sounds like it's very possible.... Drain the tank and let it settle, the beer should seperate from the gas, then you will know.... hopefully it wasn't too much, could turn into a possible nightmare....

If it is the case, and you do find that it is beer, do whatever you can to have the punks arrested and hold their parents responsible..... unless they seem like they are broke and can't pay....in that case, round up a few of your buds...and give them a merciless beatdown, at very least hospitalize them...

just don't get caught...chances are thay hang out there often.....

In any event it really bothers me that they don't come with locking fuel doors... It's just asking for trouble...

 

I know you know this, but beer would more than likely be the equivalent of water in the gas. Im no mechanic, but sounds like a likely culprit. I would try to get to your dealer before a more serious problem occurrs.

 

They would have had to pour quite a few beers into your tank to make a difference. Just add some dry gas to the tank and let it sit for a day or two. If you really suspect beer is in your fuel, then add two cans of dry gas. Also fill the tank up with fuel. Seems to me that in order for a can of beer to cause that much trouble you'd have to have very little fuel in your tank at the time.

You stated you have a tune installed. Do you have a CAI as well? If you do make sure the CAI hasn't come loose from the throttle body. Your symptoms are exactly what occurs when air is able to reach the throttle body by circumventing the MAF sensor.

Again, if it is beer adding dry gas should clean it up.

 

Yeah I just added dry gas...I only have 1/4 of a tank in there so a full beer would mess things up a bit im guessin...ill let u know how it goes....bastards...

 

No result on the dry gas yet...but its only been an hour. The car threw 2 codes now with the stock tune loaded. The first was P0171 sys too lean 1 and the secondP0174 sys too lean 2.....After that I loaded my 93 tune back on and the codes went away, but the car still did not run right. So I put the stock tune back on and the ECL went away but the car still runs like junk....So no progress yet at all.

 

Not an expert here but sounds like you need to drain the tank before something gets really screwed up

 

+1 How long have you had your CAI and tune installed?

When you installed it did you tighten the hose clamps with a screwdriver or a ratchet? (Ratchet is better for getting it nice and snug but don't over-tighten them as you can break the clamp.)

When you transferred the MAF sensor did you check to make sure the rubber gasket transferred with it?

If you think they poured beer in your tank have you considered whether they may have jammed something into your exhaust? I don't know what affect this would have on the car but if you think they were messing with your car thenit wont hurt to take a quick look in the pipes too.

All are simple questions but may be worth while?

Hope this helps.

 

i had a problem just like this and it was pretty much what mouse described with the maf. Also like he said make sure it securely tightened on there

 

My CAI has been on for a year now. I just checked all the parts of it and everything looks to be ok. Ill have to look into the exhaust but I should have heard that if it was the problem.....this really sucks.