hi.i tried the buick forum since it is a 3800 but it got kicked out. please see the next post down: "lumina 3.8 L 3800 idle eratic idle after jump start". thanks for the help.

You have an electrical problem that does not pertain to the engine type. Your duplicate thread has been moved!
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btw..imho..i still don't really see what is wrong with posting in th buick section if less than 10% of luminas are equipped with the 3800 and it is pretty common in the buicks. especially that it being an "electrical" problem is with electrical components that i think have more to do with the engine type than the make and model. but thanks for anyone that can help..i cant find anyway to make it idle smoothly.

btw..imho..i still don't really see what is wrong with posting in th buick section if less than 10% of luminas are equipped with the 3800 and it is pretty common in the buicks. especially that it being an "electrical" problem is with electrical components that i think have more to do with the engine type than the make and model. but thanks for anyone that can help..i cant find anyway to make it idle smoothly.

Hi there.

Could your timing chain have slipped? That could have been the pop, and now the timing is off?

Or could it be a valve failure, with misfiring?

Sorry for not updating this sooner. I hate it when people try to help figure out the problem and then there if the person figures it out, they don't tell what fixed it. And then I did it.

So...embarrasingly..it was the power brake booster hose that somehow had blown/popped off. I had been hearing the sucking sound but always associated it with having the air intake off. And then, after cleaning everything, looking all over for answers, etc., I'm in there, and am like..where is that sucking sound coming from. And I see the hose had fallen down behind the engine. There was/is no clamp on that hose..just pushed it back on and the car ran smooth as silk again. All that running the car..idling all crazy..trying to get the comp to reset..cleaning the throttle body and sensors, etc..wasted time frustrated like crazy and it was a giant vacuum hose. I knew it could be a hose but thought it would be one near the throttle body. Oh well. Thanks for all that took a look and esp. replied.