96 Q45 MAF???

[msmcglynn]

I recently replaced my fuel pump, FPCU, and fuel filter along with several other parts and the car ran great for about a month. Then one day i go to start it and the RPM's start fluctuating uncontrollably and thick white smoke was pooring out of the exaust and then it died. To this day I cant get it to kick over and have driven myself nuts trying to figure it out. I also replaced the alternator and belts (dont know if a timing belt is off a little???) or maybe its a vacuum problem?? I removed the MAF and cleaned it with electrical parts cleaner but also got a little of the cleaner on the meter part..dont know if this killed it?? And the connector is a little loose so if anyone knows where I can buy just a generic connector please let me know. If anyone has any idea please let me know... THX

[elwesso]

Unplug the MAF and see what it does. the car should idle decently with the MAF unplugged. if the symptoms clear up you need a new MAF.

[Q45tech]

Measure the MAF output voltage at hot idle 650-750 rpm it should read 1.1 -1.2 volts depending on air temp and altitude.

[msmcglynn]

I unplugged the MAF and it still wont kick over...I am also wondering if maybe there is no fuel getting to the engine...maybe a bad fuel pump relay switch? When i turn on the power I can hear the fuel pump pumping and then I hear a popping noise out of the back passenger corner? Either way, it will not turn over when i unplug the MAF..just kills the battery eventually. Let me know if you have any more ideas guys.

THX

[elwesso]

Id check fuel pressure. However the fact that it seemed to be dumping fuel seems weird? I wonder if maybe you blew an Oring on the fuel rail and its dumping fuel into the cylinders. Seems like thats getting more common.

Checking fuel pressure and making sure that its a) adequate and b) holding pressure.

Go grab a fuel pressure gauge and test it out.

[Haitian_King]

Doesn't white smoke equal burning coolant? Dark smoke is excess coolant/oil?

[elwesso]

No most of the time when it starts dumping fuel hardcore its white smoke, ive had first hand experience with this.

[Haitian_King]

Oh. Hm.

Injector O-Ring then?

[AlabamaDan]

The Q has a timing chain, not a belt.

[msmcglynn]

Oops, your absolutely right...i need to not type so fast. I replaced all the belts..have not touched the timing yet.

THX

[msmcglynn]

Dumping fuel would make sense since the last few days it ran I went through gas like no other!!!!! I will check out the pressure and go from there.

[msmcglynn]

Last night i went out to fool around with the beast and it for some reason started for a few minutes and then died again. Two things, first when i turned the key to the on position i heard a brief grinding noise from what i believe is the throttle position sensor (the one on the back side of the throttle towards the firewall) and after grinding it made a one time click as if the throttle opened and then shut real quick??? The second thing is gas must have been leaking out the back side of the engine near the firewall because I could smell it throught the vents and noticed it around the plenum area. It wont start again so I cant trace it exactly but maybe its a leaking injector or plenum fuel hose??? Is there any way to tell if any injector o-rings are bad short of taking them all out??? Either way...i think it should still start if it was a throttle sensor problem but that was wierd?? Could the engine be flooded?? Should i drain all the gas out of the engine and injectors?? Let me know what you guys think. Pretty soon here I may have this Q up for sale because it was said right about not buying a poorly maintained Q...like buying a cheap hooker with no gratification..i'm up all night crying!!! THX guys

[Q45tech]

Take it to dealer and have them fix it, plenum fuel hose leaks, etc.

How can you sell a car that doesn't crank?

[msmcglynn]

haha...real cheap i guess??? Has over $2500 in new parts from the last few months so prob a good car to part out...