'98 Regal keeps dying, getting codes P0102 and P0171

[buickregal4life]

My 1998 Buick Regal keeps dying and I am getting the codes P0102 and P0171. The man said that I may need a new MAF sensor, but I don't want to rush and spend $150. Any suggestions? The car will run for a while then sputter a little then die. It will not idle very long. Thanks!

[inafogg]

you can clean the sensor using a MAF cleaner
how to can be found, do a search on this forum

[buickregal4life]

I did clean the maf but no luck. There also seems to be some white smoke coming from around the exhaust in the engine?

[olopezm]

You have the 3.8L engine right? Is it normal or supercharged version?

P0102 means your MAF sensor is detecting a low input BUT that can also be triggered if you have a vacuum leak.

P0171 means you have a lean mixture. This is normally caused by a vacuum leak, a bad fuel pump or a bad MAF sensor.

Try disconnecting the connector to the MAF sensor and see if it runs fine.


Also you mentioned you have white smoke, this is caused by coolant being burnt, are you loosing any coolant?. This worries me because if one of the head or lower intake manifold gaskets are blown you'll be leaking coolant and have vacuum leaks which if it's not fixed soon can cause bigger/more expensive problems. Another common leaking point is at the pulley tensor, there are a couple of hoses at the back of it which can develop cracks and start leaking fluid. Also below the tensioner there is one elbow running to the intake manifold.

By the way Welcome to the forum!

Best regards,

Oscar.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by buickregal4life

There also seems to be some white smoke coming from around the exhaust in the engine?

White or black smoke out the exhaust? A bad MAF sensor normally causes black smoke. Since it is white you are probably burning coolant and water. Do you still have the original plastic UIM plenum and old EGR stovepipe on the lower intake manifold?

[old_master]

Sounds like the fuel pump is failing. Check fuel pressure and leakdown. Key on, engine off, fuel pump running: should be 48psi to 55psi. Start and idle the engine and the pressure should drop 3 to 10psi. Turn key to off, pressure should hold around 40psi for several minutes.

[BNaylor]

If the P0102 DTC is still there it is most likely a bad MAF sensor so I'd take those DTCs at face value. Also, the MAF DTC will cause the P0171 DTC (Fuel Trim System Lean). Cleaning the MAF wire elements doesn't always work when there is an internal electronic issue. Is this case to generate a P0102 DTC the MAF output frequency is below 1200 Hz and low.

To the OP is this a Regal LS/LSE or GS/GSE. In other words which engine: L36 NA SII 3800 or L67 supercharged SII 3800?