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Will not stay running after running into another vehicle

Tiny
BRANDY MAY EAGLE ELK
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 FORD FOCUS
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • 200 MILES
Accidentally hit into our other car which is a Jeep Cherokee and it only damaged the left side of the car mainly the headlight on the driver side. And the hood but our car does not want to stay started. It starts but you have to leave your foot on the gas in order to keep it going or it just shuts off. Everything was working just fine until I hit into our jeep. Please let me know I have the car listed above Se 4 door.
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Tuesday, October 15th, 2019 AT 6:37 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,269 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

This may sound crazy, but could you open the hood so I can see how far back the damage was? I suspect something with the air filter box was damaged and is causing an engine vacuum leak or unmetered air to enter the engine. That would cause the symptoms you mentioned.

If you want to try this first, here is a link that explains how to check for a leak. Take a look through it and let me know if it helps. I will also need to know if the check engine light is staying on when the engine is running.

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

Let me know.

Joe
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Tuesday, October 15th, 2019 AT 7:08 PM
Tiny
BRANDY MAY EAGLE ELK
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
We looked at the air intake I'm sure that's what it's called and found a hole I have pictures of the part. That seems to be the only other damage other than the head light and the hood on that side.
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Wednesday, October 16th, 2019 AT 10:34 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,269 POSTS
Welcome back:

Brandy, I'm sorry but I can tell if the hole is the result of damage or if it is supposed to be there. Some of these had the air access via the bottom. Can you confirm? It actually looks cracked and not a smooth break.

If that is actually broken and could have resulted from the accident, try something. First, keep in mind you have to have fresh air into the air filter box and then a tube that allows air to enter the engine (valve body). If you have both of those and the hole in the picture is a third, try this. Simply seal the hole with tape or something (something like duct tape) and see if the issues goes away. If it does, the tape is only for testing, and the air box will need replaced.

Also, have you tried checking for other vacuum leaks using the link I added as a guide?
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Wednesday, October 16th, 2019 AT 6:29 PM
Tiny
BRANDY MAY EAGLE ELK
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Yea we checked the inside of the hose that was connected to the air filter housing and it was completely cleaned, nothing inside of it still looked brand new. But there was a piece that looks as if it was connected to part in the picture it looks like it broke off. I also have a picture of that maybe you might know if that has something to do with the part. It looks broken.
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Wednesday, October 16th, 2019 AT 6:51 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,269 POSTS
Brandy, that looks like where the air box pushed in and mounted. Most likely that is a broken piece of the air box pushed into a rubber grommet.

Make sure there are no small vacuum hoses disconnected as well. Also, is there an inlet and outlet in addition to the hole at the bottom? If so, try the duct tape trick to see if it eliminates the problem.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Wednesday, October 16th, 2019 AT 8:37 PM
Tiny
BRANDY MAY EAGLE ELK
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Okay, so we just tired the duct tape and it worked the car started right up and continued to run. Took it for a ride around the block and it sounds exactly the same how it did before. I think that was our only issue.
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Saturday, October 19th, 2019 AT 3:42 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,269 POSTS
Welcome back:

Great. You had more air getting into the engine that was being metered. The duct tape is only a temporary test, the air box should be replaced or repaired differently. Chances are you can get a new air box cheap from a salvage yard. Or, I have even seen people use a plastic welt product and repair things like this.

Regardless, I'm glad it's running good and we determined the problem.

Take care and let me know if you have other questions.

Have a great weekend.

Joe
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Saturday, October 19th, 2019 AT 4:53 PM
Tiny
BRANDY MAY EAGLE ELK
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thank you, that was really helpful and yes were looking into a salvage yard. It will a lot more cheaper that way. But yes thank you again and I'll for sure ask if I have any more questions.
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Saturday, October 19th, 2019 AT 4:57 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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You are very welcome.

Take care,
Joe
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Saturday, October 19th, 2019 AT 5:14 PM

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