From: frank@resolution (& Esquivel)
Subject: Re: BRONCO II erratic ideling / EGR system at fault?
Organization: University of Chicago Computing Organizations
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1992 22:36:40 GMT

In article <1992Sep12.092851.22515@constellation.ecn.uoknor.edu>  
sykhor@essex.ecn.uoknor.edu (Sek Yong Khor) writes:
> Hoping to get quick help on my following problem ...or advise to
> sell my BRONCO II :(
> 
> Along with the lower temperatures and wetter days of the past one month,
> my BRONCO II also started acting up funny.  Details:
> 
> 	BRONCO II '85
> 	2.8l V6, 103k miles, re-built heads
> 
> 	Engine's hard to start in the mornings, especially on three
> 	occasions when it had just rained the night before with
> 	temperatures 50-60 F; on these 3 mornings the ideling was
> 	erratic, to a point when it keeps dieing out.
> 
> 	First time round the autoshop found nothin wrong, and the
> 	on-board computer reported nothing either.
> 
> 	Second occasion, I had the themostat changed, the computer
> 	had only reported a temp gauge reading too low temperatures,
> 	supposedly making the fuel/air mix richer in an attempt to
> 	raise the operating temperature.  By now my mpg had dropped
> 	from 17+ to 14+
> 
> 	Three days back, I took it out for a spin, had an hour's stop
> 	then continued.  And the same erratic ideling came up again.
> 	This time the computer reports about six error messages (temp,  
etc)
> 	and the autoshop says it's probably the EGR valve stuck open. 
> 	$115 for the part and $52 labour charge.
> 
> 	Nop, I didn't OK the job.  I pulled out most of the plugs and
> 	found what looked like molly-based grease, corrosion, white paste,
> 	or whatever else on the terminals.  I promptly cleaned them up,
> 	sprayed on WD40, and pluged them back.
> 	I've just driven it for about 25 miles, and the fuel gauge has
> 	dropped from half-mark to less than a quarter!
> 
> I obviously don't want to keep fishing out greenbacks to pay for repairs
> that won't help, get ripped of, or screw up the engine with my  
handiworks.
> How important is the Exhaust Gas Recirculation system to the running of  
the
> engine?  I've always thot it only purpose was to burn up the excess fuel  
in
> the exhaust mix.  Since the EGR is a vacuum operated valve, couldn't I
> clean it up? or maybe's the sensor..... 
> 
> I know that there could be a zillion other things wrong to cause the low  
mpg
> and erratic ideling,  at least if anyone's got a lead, PLEASE let me  
know!
> 
> My account here's in the process of changing its email address, a reply
> to this news group (if the email fails) is appreciated.
> 
> Thanks in advance.
> 
> Peter KHOR
> sykhor@essex.ecn.uoknor.edu
> 
> BTW, benn thinking 'bout the 4-Runner...... 

If the car only acts like this after a rain then I would seriously try and  
check the distributor cap for cracks.  Water inside the distributor will  
cause a no-start problem as well as rough idle.  It could, however, be the  
EGR valve.  Although in my experience, if the EGR valve sticks open, the  
car will sometimes die out at low idle (stop lights etc.).

I would check the distributor cap first.  If that is not the cause then  
try the EGR.  Let the car idle for a while, then disconnect the vacuum  
hose from the EGR. Plug the vacuum line with a nail or a golf tee.  If the  
car runs smoothly then you know it's the EGR.  You could probably replace  
it yourself.  It's not a very difficult job.  I do stress that because the  
EGR valve is part of your emission control, it is probably very illegal to  
disconnect it.  I know people who have plugged the EGR vacuum line for  
good and never changed the valve.  They still pass emmisions in Illinois  
with no problem.  I would recommend a new valve but if you decide not to  
get one, I won't tell if you won't.

Frank
From: genet@hplsla.hp.com (Gene Taylor)
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1992 15:32:57 GMT
Subject: Re: Aftermarket turbo kits
Organization: HP Lake Stevens, WA