Gasping for air!

[1fastben]

My car sounds like its gasping for air when it runs. This just happened today, but it takes about five or so tries to get it to stay running, then the idle wobbles between 400-900 rpm. All air related boots seem quite secure, the filter is only a few months old, a pretty new fuel filter (run on only premium) and the car has fresh oil, (although its at the 'max' line, I can't imagine that having anything to do with rpms or air/fuel.) I really need an answer. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Ben

Oh, and there's no sign of knocking, either.

[Ski]

I got an idea, get some IPA and clean your ISV. will cost you $5 and you can clean your MAF while your at it.

[1fastben]

Thanks for the info, although I don't really know what all those acronyms mean.

[YELL MAN]

IPA=electrical cleaner i think Alcohol Isopropil does the same job, ISV=Idle stablisation valve, MAF=mass airflow sensor.

[topsparky]

sounds like the maf to me
disconnect the maf plug with the engine running see if there is any differance

[1fastben]

Yeah, it was the maf. I disconnected it and it runs just fine. So I guess I gotta order a new or used one.

Thanks all!

Ben

[newsh]

In your original thread you say all the pipes appear to be airtight, have you actually run a pressure test on this? Where are you based?

[jameswkr]

Flags show its not an S2 ... what is it ??

[s2dude]

Flags show its not an S2 ... what is it ??

1990 3b with 190k by the looks of his car specs link?
click the writing under his username James (new feature)

Also, I believe the flags default to USA ones whenever a new member signs up on this forum....

[1fastben]

No, I haven't tried a pressure test yet, sounds like a good idea, though. And I just put in a MAF sensor from some used parts place, and its doing the exact same thing as before. Any idears?

[BRY]

Where are you?

[1fastben]

The pretty great state of Utah.

[newsh]

So you have an "ES2" then, do you have the blue black and white connectors in the fuse box (or below the dash) to allow you to pull codes from the car? if so, do that either with VAGCOM or by the blinks method, details on S2 Central. Then take out the "motor" fuses from the fuse box to clear the codes, go for a drive and do it again.
As your car is a CQ thats had a 3B engine fitted did you do the work yourself and has the car ever run right? Or has it always had this problem?
The more info the better when trying to find a fault over the internet!!
We have now gone back to the original thread. Try to keep the same thread running so other people can join in with their experience (bookmark it so you can get back to it), your progress report "gasping2" was disconnected from the original one, most people won't go looking for the original to see the whole picture.

First thing is pull the codes and do a pressure test.

[newsh]

Actually you don't say if the bad running is just at tickover (idle) or through the whole range when driving. If its just a really bad idle and you can drive it ok if you keep the revs up it could be the ISV sticking. this is the small silver valve between the throttle body and the bulkhead at the back of the engine. Take it off and give it a good clean out inside with WD40. Dont use solvent as it makes them stick.

[1fastben]

If I drive the car, any time I let off the throttle, the rpms go way down, to the point where it almost wants to die on me.
Thanks for all the help so far, I'll get back on here after I check those things out and let you know the results.