well i got 1 major question and a few smaller questions today
first off i am throwing a p0402 (exhaust Gas Recirculation flow Excessive Detected) code
(single code)
so i am assuming the recirulation valve is pluged where is it?
what should i do replace the egr valve and gasket and hope it solves the problem
or should i go all out and replace the egr, and the front and rear o2 sensors?
(i check the code tomorrow to confirm (but if my memory serves me it was p0402)
symptoms i am experiencing
rpm limited to 4k
i have to let off @ about 3.5k to get it to shift up
engine light and ets off light are on
top speed straight line is 70mph in 4th
thick soot on exhaust tip
i am assuming this is reducing the rpm to 4k what should i do?
97 z24 2.4l automatic (the car just rolled over to 128,000 tonight)
other issue is my fuel gauge has not worked in 10k miles what parts do i need to fix it? the gauge occasionally tells me i have a half tank but other wist tells me the tank is full (even though the trip meter and gas pump say it's time to fill the tank bask up)
the other problem is the smell of burnt oil after i have run the car i have no "blue /grey smoke from the pipes just black soot the oil is only an 1/8 qt. low every 3.5k mi
i just pulled an extended service on the car...
new platinum2 plugs
new spark wire coil things
2 coils (5k mi ago)
new air filter, (stock filter box)
oil change + filter (engine only)
fuel filter changed 11k mi ago
Problem #1: Start with the EGR valve and if that doesn't get rid of the code then go to the O2 sensors. Usually they are located on the back of the intake manifold but i'm not terribly familiar with this engine.
Problem #2: Sounds to me like a bad stepper motor. There are two options: Replace the stepper motor itself and see if that works (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Car-Truck-Parts-Accessories__1-02-03-04-05-GM-IMPALA-CAVALIER-STEPPER-MOTOR-X25-168_W0QQitemZ350125459877QQadiZ2865QQadnZCarQ20Q26Q20TruckQ20PartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQ
QcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item350125459877&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A543%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318) or replace the whole gauge cluster. If you're good at soldering I'd try the stepper motor first since it's only $5 but as some people have mentioned it is difficult to get the gauges to read properly after removing the needles too, so it's up to you. A new cluster will run you $60-$100 on ebay from what I've seen.
Problem #3: Burning oil is not uncommon for a car of this age. Piston rings could be going, possible exhaust valve seats, or even a gasket somewhere (exhaust manifold, head gasket, oil pan gasket, etc). For a car with ~130k on it I wouldn't worry about losing 1/8 qt every 3.5K miles. It's to be expected, and can probably be fixed, but would probably be more trouble than it's worth.
just my .02
