This is my first thread so I appreciate all of your help.

Recent work:

Intake gasket - had a coworker's boyfriend who's a mechanic replace this at his house to save some $
O2 sensor's' - replaced these myself
MAF - replaced myself, through a p0305 code so I took it to a shop I trust and they suggested to replace the MAF or the timing chain. Car was stalling at stop signs, would start up right away but any time I stopped or coasted it would stall. I tried a couple different MAF's from the junkyard but the problem didn't go away. I unplugged the MAF and the car ran fine so I knew that was the problem. I caved and bought a new MAF from Autozone.

The mechanic checked the intake, catalytic converter and vacuum leaks and said they weren't the problem.

Car was running good, the CEL code went away but then the other day a P0171 code popped up. The guy at Autozone suggested I disconnect the battery for 15 minutes as it probably was a previous code.

Thoughts?

98 Monte Carlo
160,000 miles
3.1 engine

Thanks,

 

Clean the MAF with MAF cleaner, new spark plugs, new wires, new fuel filter. P0171 is bank 1 lean, so you may have a fuel delivery issue. Do some maintenance and see how well it responds.

Although is could just be a batch of bad gas.

 

So I cleaned the MAF tonight, drove it around for about 15 minutes or so and there was no noticeable change.

Some of the symptoms are when coasting the RPM's will drop down to 500 and bounce back up to 1000 and remain at a constant 1000 idle. Occasionally when I'm stopped the RPM's will fluctuate between 500 & 1000, the car has not stalled as of yet. That was as symptom before I changed out for a new MAF.

Also, when revving the engine in park or neutral it wouldn't get over 4000 RPM. It bounced back and forth between 3500 and 4000.

 

Stop revving your engine, there's a rev limiter at 4000. Try cleaning your PCV and do a tune up.

 

Ok, I did not know that. I'll work on the PCV this week or weekend and let you know the results.

Thanks for the info.

 

I changed the PCV, it idles better but still has some idle issues. When i'm parked or at a stop occasionally the RPM's drop down to 500 and back up to 750/1000. I'm going to change the fuel filter this weekend. Could it be a dirty EGR valve?

I disconnected the battery the other day, CEL went away but on my way homethe CEL came back on.

 

Yes, it could very well be a dirty EGR, vacuum leak, or several other things