The car is a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue with 3.8L V6 engine (3800 Series).  I've been doing my research and due diligence, but please understand I'm very inexperienced with automobiles.

I went to Autozone and the reading I got from the OBD II tool was a P0171 error code.  A lean or rich condition on Bank 1.  First, I don't know where Bank 1 is.  I have a feeling it's a cracked intake-manifold, an intake-manifold gasket leak, or both.  But let's assume I have no clue where the vacuum leak is coming from.  And I don't want to use a carb cleaner -- I read that I could cause a fire and I don't think I'm experienced enough to use something like that.   I'd prefer to err on the side of caution.

I've seen on youtube a long-time mechanic who uses a cigar as a cheap alternative to a smoke test machine.  But I'm not sure if something like that could be used if you have no idea where the leak is coming from.

So I ask those who are far, far more experienced than me.  What ares some methods I can use if I have a vacuum leak, but I literally don't have a clue where it could be?

Thank you.


Question: Why is the last line of text separated in MS Visio shapes
Answer: The last line is separated because their is a blank character at the end of the bottom line that is the default font size.  Highlight any blank spaces at the end of the bottom line and then change the font size to match the others and it will go away.