I've had a 92 Trooper, automatic, V6, 4x4, with 155k miles for almost 2 years now. I haven't been able to take it on out of town trips. Before I bought it, I took it to a mechanic that is a friend of the family so I trusted him. He said the only issue was a cracked valve cover gasket.
It seems to run fine except for the engine sometimes knocking. And a lot of the times when I come to a stop and am slowing down to a stop light or something, it won't idle smooth, it will kind of do a tiny rev a few times until I'm stopped. If I drive for awhile the check engine light usually comes on, then will turn off if I brake and come almost to a stop. The time I did try to take it on the highway, I made it no more than 20 miles out before there were poofs of black smoke coming out of the exhaust, and all the sudden I couldn't maintain speed even with gas pedal down, and I stopped and it was knocking like crazy, doing the little rev thing, and barely run. So of course I turned around and went home. I've never had a problem with it otherwise as far as stalling out or dying or anything. I think it stalled out once at an intersection within a couple months of buying it, but that's it. Never had an issue with in-town driving.
Does this sound like nothing but what that guy told me when I got it, a cracked valve gasket cover? Something else? If you may be able to diagnose it based on what I've set, what sort of cost we talking about for repair? Thanks!
black smoke means something is causing it to run Realy rich as in way too much fuel. The engine surging could mean that the oxygen sensor is out and the computer is trying to "find" idle fuel mixture. This happens when the computer leans out the fuel and then richens it back up, this could be whats causing the RPMs to fluctuate. Did you have the computer scanned for codes? This will tell you a lot. Also it could be the IAC (idle air controle) or the TPS (throtle posision sensor) that could cause similar problems. The TPS can be checked with a volt meter if you know what the proper voltage would be for one that is working properly. If any of the above mentioned item are bad it will cause the engine to not idle properly and get bad fuel milage. Hope this helps.
First thing I would do is have the codes read (auto zone does this for free). Then hit us back with the results.
I'm going to agree with Josh. If the O2 sensor has not been changed, it's long overdue. They don't fail abruptly, their response just gets slower and slower until the output is of no real value and the engine runs poorly. The chances of an O2 sensor going 155Kmi and being good as new is slim. A new one will improve your fuel economy if nothing else.
A bad TPS or IAC would cause erratic idling, but not black smoke.
2002 Cavalier 2200 5spd
I checked the vehicle codes..Autozone only does 1995-.
12
24
32
24 vehicle speed sensor
32 EGR valve
Reading up on a site about the EGR valve, some people take it out and soak it in carburator cleaner and that does the trick. What say you folks?
Sounds like that could be causing the engine ticking. Where would I find it on a 92 Trooper, and is it easy to remove/put back on?
Best thing is to have the service manual.
Since it does circulate exhaust gas, I'd say look somewhere on the exhaust manifold/downpipe for something that connects to a vacuum line.
2002 Cavalier 2200 5spd
