Vacuum leak

UNCLEBIFF

MEMBER
1998 SATURN SW2
1.9L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
346,000 MILES

It all started one morning, I went to work car was running fine. So I get to work shut it off and when I get in it to go home it started to have a rough idle, it was hard to keep it running at stop signs and low idles. It ran good on the freeway but when I got into town rough idle, had to keep it running. When taking off from a stop sign I would have to shift into second {automatic} to keep it from stuttering. On straightaways after it shifted into high gear I would have to put it back in second to keep it going. Then finally one morning it actually shut off on the way to work, I let set for about twenty seconds or so it started back up shut off again after about one mile. Made it to work after it would start but shut off when put in gear. Had to tow it home. I replaced the plugs, wires, map sensor, coolant temperature sensor, transmission temperature sensor and IAC valve, still no change.

10 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,895 POSTS

Yes, is does sounds like you have a vacuum leak. can you follow this guide to see if you can locate the leak?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

Do this with the engine cool. Also, check the air intake boot for tears.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-an-air-intake-boot

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken

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Monday, March 26th, 2018 AT 9:58 AM

UNCLEBIFF

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37 POSTS

So I found a break in the vacuum control signal tube replaced it -no change. But I noticed a lot of oil leakage on the lower end of the tube that where it connects to the purge solenoid (which has also got a lot of oil on it) the hose is pretty loosely connected could any of that be the culprit?

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Tuesday, March 27th, 2018 AT 10:09 PM

KEN L

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It could be does the engine have excessive blow by? Remove the oil cap with the engine running let me know what happens?

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Wednesday, March 28th, 2018 AT 3:27 PM

UNCLEBIFF

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37 POSTS

Yes it has excessive blow by. I am about to start it up right now and remove the oil cap, I will get back to you.

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Wednesday, March 28th, 2018 AT 5:33 PM

UNCLEBIFF

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37 POSTS

Okay, so I started it up and it sounded great idled strong, pulled off the oil cap some exhaust was coming out, but other than that, no change. Then after it warmed up, it started sputtering was barely keeping itself alive, removed cap, no more exhaust, still no change. When I revved it up to around 2200 rpm's or so it ran fine but then eventually shut off at idle. Flashed code po300.

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Wednesday, March 28th, 2018 AT 9:02 PM

UNCLEBIFF

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37 POSTS

What were you looking for when I removed the oil cap?

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Wednesday, March 28th, 2018 AT 9:03 PM

UNCLEBIFF

MEMBER
37 POSTS

So I just performed a compression check; cylinder number. 1=135, number 2=0, number 3=0, number 4=140.

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Wednesday, March 28th, 2018 AT 9:06 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,895 POSTS

Yep, nice work it looks like you may have a blown head gasket between two cylinders which is common.

Looks like we are removing the cylinder head. You will need to remove the front harmonic balancer.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-harmonic-balancer-works

Here are the diagrams to show you the job you are in for (below).

Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Cheers, Ken

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