95 monte idle problem any suggestions

[ChevroletTough]

Originally Posted by blazes9395

If you use a K&N filter, or if you have driven in dirty/dusty roads for a long time, cleaning the MAF sometimes gives you a noticable improvement in performance. If you get a MAF code, its always a good idea to clean the MAF before replacing it. To clean it all you do is get brake cleaner and spray the very this wires down from both sides. Never touch these wires, there easy to break, also never use throttle body cleaner or carb cleaner because alot of these cleaners have oil in them to thats stays on parts to lubricate them - you don't want anything on the MAF sensor.

Now $60 to get the MAF cleaned, I'd go back and ask him what he did for $60 and want money back.

acceptable answer. I guess cleaning the actual wires can be done, i was thinking the actual little black electronic "box" part of the sensor. i really don't see how those tiny wires could get dirty though.... they are so small!

[Leighanna]

Originally Posted by blazes9395

If you use a K&N filter, or if you have driven in dirty/dusty roads for a long time, cleaning the MAF sometimes gives you a noticable improvement in performance. If you get a MAF code, its always a good idea to clean the MAF before replacing it. To clean it all you do is get brake cleaner and spray the very this wires down from both sides. Never touch these wires, there easy to break, also never use throttle body cleaner or carb cleaner because alot of these cleaners have oil in them to thats stays on parts to lubricate them - you don't want anything on the MAF sensor.

Now $60 to get the MAF cleaned, I'd go back and ask him what he did for $60 and want money back.

I am happy to report I took a chance and bought a new MAF sensor and it seems to have done the trick, car is running a lot better, not 100% but a lot better. Much to my amazement, when I removed the MAF sensor I found 3 screwdriver sized holes right in the middle of the metal mesh part...I asked when taking it to get the replacement and I was told "that was what I got for 60.00 bucks"...lol...I have to laugh. I did not take my car to some guy who walked in from the streets, I took it to a Chevron Service station that everyone recommends (well the 3 people I spoke to here anyway) so I am shocked they would be so sneaky. I will never go back there again.
Now for the funny stuff....since my car was jerking for so long, sputtering and acting up and all that...it seems something underneath is loose and rattling like crazy. It sounds like it might be my exhaust pipe right under my drivers door. I will be taking the car tomorrow to get that looked at a muffler shop...cant go wrong there, right?! I love this car so much, I dont really want to get rid of her and I keep hoping with every new part she might one day decide to just go with the flow so I can spend my money on something else for once!
Thank you for all your advice and suggestions, I truely appreciate all the help I have been offered! This board is great for those of us who are "challenged"!

[ChevroletTough]

im glad to hear that it was partially fixed. Well if you wanted to fix the exhaust rattle yourself... just drive it up on ramps, look underneath and wiggle the exhaust with your hands (not when its hot... or wear gloves) might be a broke clap, those are like $3 down at napa, and all you need it a socket/ratchet or wrench to get them off/on. 2 nuts, easy as pie.

Assuming you have car ramps that is...

The choice is yours My sister had a rattle on her 95 monte z34 and it was an exhaust clamp, i just got a new one and put it on, problem solved

hope this helps.

[Leighanna]

Originally Posted by ChevroletTough

im glad to hear that it was partially fixed. Well if you wanted to fix the exhaust rattle yourself... just drive it up on ramps, look underneath and wiggle the exhaust with your hands (not when its hot... or wear gloves) might be a broke clap, those are like $3 down at napa, and all you need it a socket/ratchet or wrench to get them off/on. 2 nuts, easy as pie.

Assuming you have car ramps that is...

The choice is yours My sister had a rattle on her 95 monte z34 and it was an exhaust clamp, i just got a new one and put it on, problem solved

hope this helps.

Well it seems the MAF was just PART of the problem..lol. The car is doing better but it seems I have a coil out therefore my car is now a 4 cylinder, not a V6, and it has been dumping raw fuel into the exhaust and killed the (I know I am going to butcher this spelling....but here it goes) Catallac converter. The "specialist" says that is what is causing the noise, while the car was in the air he hit the big box thingy and it rattled...he said 160.00 for a new one (installed). I have been told by someone else that I can not even buy a converter thingy for 160.00, new that is. I bought the coil pack and have located where it goes but I dont think that is something I can attempt on my own due to short arms and short temper. Firestone has said they can do my coil pack for...get this....600.00! They are claiming the motor has to be pulled to do it. But it seems once I do these two things my car will purrrrrrr....or so they say.

I have taken excellent care of my car, not even a scratch (but two door dings compliments of walmart parking lot) and I am beginning to wonder if I should just sell this car to the junk yard and cut my losses.

[blazes9395]

If you take it to the junker, I'd love to come and pick it up for ya, heck I'd give ya double what they would....if I was closer though. Installed cat for $160, thats not bad, its about right. As for the coil, its easier to get it from the bottom, drive it up on ramps(or even better hoist) and you got an easy access to it. Disconnect the negative battery cable unplug the spark plug wires, unplug the ignition module connectors, and unscrew the whole unit from the engine block. From there, take the coil off and replace whats needed. Install is reverse.

[Leighanna]

Thank you for the instructions! I will attempt to change it this weekend, as well as the exhaust issue....then maybe that will be it! I have my fingers crossed this fixes the car so I can get back on the road without fear of breaking down again.

[blazes9395]

Your welcome. i also forgot to add, make sure you unhook the battery first. If you go unpluging the ignition module and the battery is not dissconnected, you run a risk of damaging the ignition module, so make sure the battery is disconnected.

[ChevroletTough]

600.00 to replace a coil pack?!?!?!?!

sweet jesus.

you do not have to take the motor out to take the coil packs off. Ive had to test the spark on them before, they are in a hard spot. You will probably have to take off 1 or 2 of the fans (i can't remember if there are 1 or 2 fans) for room, but maybe not.

[lucas_wojo]

I am looking at a 96 monte with the 3.4. the lady told me it died when she goes around corners somtimes and dies also when she comes to a stop somtimes it dies. She says it will go down the road 100mph any other time. What do you monte pros think it could be? If it will take a boat load of money to fix, i will let her keep it. Please let me know @ [email protected] for a faster responce on my part. I will check this board when i can also. Thanks

[ChevroletTough]

Ask her if it smells rich in the morning when she starts it up, like a snowmobile. Sounds like the dredded 3.4 problem that I swear is impossible to solve.....

[lucas_wojo]

she says it idles fast, but dosent smell gassy. Everyone has told her to change the mass air flow sensor? would that help or just rais my cost? [email protected] Thanks

[ChevroletTough]

Originally Posted by lucas_wojo

she says it idles fast, but dosent smell gassy. Everyone has told her to change the mass air flow sensor? would that help or just rais my cost? [email protected] Thanks

quick way to test it. unplug the maf sensor, its the harness that plugs into a block on the air intake tubing. If the car runs crappy, then your maf sensor is fine. If you unplug it and don't notice a difference, chances are its the problem.

hope that helps

[bobscoug]

Are there any codes?Check the temp sender with a scanner.If it runs like crap when cold & then runs good when warm,could be temp sensor.I know you said you tried alot of sensors,but double check.I ran across this problem a couple times.Also check your fuel trim.Good luck.

[lorenjr]

I had all the same problems with my 95 3.4 also. it didnt start till one of the injectors went out tho. i fought and fought it and never did figure it out. had the same problem with a 3.3 in a pontiac. But any way i traded the monte for a truck just in time. i heard a clicking when turning right so i got ride of it and two weeks later the tranny went out. now a friend of mine bought it fixed the tranny and it runs great now with just a plug and wire job. the only thing anyone could find wrong was the gap on the plugs

[mikiontario]

I had the same issue with my 95 Monte, ... It sound like a intake air leak.
To find the air leak start the car and let it idle, ... spray some quick start, ... use the long plastic tube to direct it at each area that may have an air leak, around the intake manifold and at the hoses around the intake. When the engine rev's up you have found your leak. Using some hi temp rtv should correct the problem, ... all the best.