Engine Surge

[Mr. Javi]

I been noticing a small surge when I step on the gas pedal, like it's having some trouble or gargaling gas, do you guys think it's a bad spark plug or misfire, or something else.

I notice this while driving around 30 or 40 mph.
Also did notice that the RPM needle goes up and down while parked, not that much or crazy style but, you can see it move up and down, slightly, like it's losing power or something.

Any ideas?



Thanks,
[glow=red,2,300]Javs[/glow]

[JimW]

Sounds like it could be the Fuel Pressure regulator on the fritz and its affecting the smoothness of the engine.

As for the tach readings, possibly TPS, but could be the cold as well.

Check the FPR first

[Mr. Javi]

Thanks Jim,

Is the Fuel Pressure Regulator expensive and hard to replace, cause if it's not that expensive, I might just get a new one, since my Aurora is already pushing 62,000 miles.




[glow=red,2,300]Javs.[/glow]

[SupaStealth]

I just checked on a Fuel Pressure Regulator for my car today since mine starts hard, sometimes it takes a good 5 seconds for it to start and it helps if ya pump the gas even though it's fuel injected, anyways, at Checker Auto Parts it was 80 dollars. so i decided i can live with it for a little while.

[Mr. Javi]

Is it difficult to replace the Fuel Pressure Regulator?








[shadow=red,left,300]Javi.[/shadow]

[JimW]

No, check on Howards (dred98) webpage, there is a good write up on how to do it, and its a problem on all Classic Auroras, its pretty easy.

[dred98]

JimW said:

No, check on Howards (dred98) webpage, there is a good write up on how to do it, and its a problem on all Classic Auroras, its pretty easy.

[Mr. Javi]

Thanks dred, I was looking for that link.






[glow=white,2,300]Javi.[/glow]

[stevensolds]

my car was doing that but i replaced the spark plugs and wires were freyed too...could be your wires freyed

[Mr. Javi]

I had that in mind about the wires or possibly a bad spark plug somewhere, so I think I'm gonna get new sparkplugs and wires either way.

Then also do the Fuel Pressure Regulator afterwards.



[glow=red,2,300]Javi![/glow]

[JimW]

Could be that as well, the FPR is more common the failed plugs/wires esp on a 99, so thats why I suggested the regulator

Either way, have a look and let us know!

[auroralover]

Javi,
the fpr is a 5 minute change. Simply take off the engine cover, and you'll see it on the fuel rail. Take off the clip holding it in place, and simply lift it out. Make sure the small "O" ring at the bottom comes out; sometimes it gets stuck down in there. Put the new one in place, clip it in, and replace the engine cover. I paid $44 for mine about a month ago. Hard starts and surging quit immediately. You may also want to try a TPS reset; turn the key on and back to off, wait 20 seconds. Do this a total of 3 times, and it should reset your TPS. I would do this before replacing plugs and wires.
Good luck!

[SupaStealth]

44 dollars huh? (for the FPR, right?) ooh, where from?

[kobalt]

It could be the fuel filter as well

[alijonny]

contact ecaronline.com, i purchased a brand new bosch FPR for $26.99 shipped. it works great so far. they have an ebay business going and are very helpful. i ordered the first one and i thought the 4.0 was the same thru all the years(classic and 2nd gen), i asked if they would exchange and they said yes as long as i paid shipping, so they are so far an awesome business. it looks like all they sell is bosch parts from 02 sensors to brake pads. check it out.

[auroralover]

Supa,
I got mine, an AC Delco from KOI Auto Parts in Cincinnati. The list on it was $62, but my company purchases a lot of parts for our fleet and I used our discount.

[SupaStealth]

hmm, well, i just ordered myself one of those bosch FPR's off of ebay for $32 shipped. i'm also going to go get a fuel filter from a local auto parts store in about an hour. Does anyone have a tutorial on how to change a fuel filter? I've never done one of those before

[erw38]

You asked and so you shall receive.

autorepair.about.com/cs/doityourself/a/aa082203a.htm

[SupaStealth]

sweet, thanks, umm, one other thing, where is the fuel filter on the classic aurora, if its different for different years, mine is a 98. i suppose i'll go out there and check in a bit, but it'd be nice to know a specific area to check

[erw38]

If I remember correctly, mine was on the driver's side of the car (a foot or so before the rear tire). It looks very easy to change, but I have never change a fuel filter. I have watched before and they do it in like 5 minutes. So, for a beginner, set aside about a half hour ;D

Good Luck with it.

[erw38]

I was searching online and it was recommended to replace the PCV valve when the fuel filter is replaced. I don't know how to do that though.

[stevensolds]

yeah shop replaced my PCV valve at the time the fuel filter was replaced also. they said it looked like the original one as it was all rusty and crap lol.

[SupaStealth]

hmm, i suppose i'll have to make another trip to the parts store then

[auroralover]

The PCV valve sits toward the rear of the engine, between the coil packs and the right fender. Shouldn't cost more than $2.50 and takes 30 seconds to put in. I've heard that if you take it out and it still rattles it's good, but that's just hearsay. For 2.50 you can't go wrong.

[Mr. Javi]

Speaking of Fuel Filter and PVC valve,

I had those replaced back in August this year.
The fuel filter is easy to do, one way to check your Fuel Filter is to blow air out the way the arrow on the filter points too, if you have a hard time blowing air out, then the filter is in bad shape or it has lots of dirt inside, try blowing air on the new filter, you'll see how easily the air flows, it's good to compare, so you have an idea of how bad the filter was in your Aurora.

A tip my brother in law showed me, and how to remove the PVC Valve.

I guess I'll have to ask him to show me how to replace the FPR.



[glow=red,2,300]Javi.[/glow]

[SupaStealth]

well, i installed a new fuel filter and pcv valve yesterday, they didn't fix the problem, i actually think it made it worse somehow, i suppose there's still some air bubbles in the system, but i'm just hoping that the FPR get's here soon. otherwise i suppose next is the wires since i just replaced the plugs about 5000 miles ago.

[Mr. Javi]

SupaStealth said:

well, i installed a new fuel filter and pcv valve yesterday, they didn't fix the problem, i actually think it made it worse somehow, i suppose there's still some air bubbles in the system, but i'm just hoping that the FPR get's here soon. otherwise i suppose next is the wires since i just replaced the plugs about 5000 miles ago.

Hey SupaStealth, did you make sure the Fuel Filter was installed in the right direction, there is an ARROW pointing I believe is to the front of the vehicle which means the gas flows toward the engine, you don't think you might of installed it backwards?



[glow=red,2,300]Javi.[/glow]

[SupaStealth]

heh, nope, i think it would take alot of effort to install this thing backwards, one side is threaded the other is a tube ;D

[SupaStealth]

well, i just got my FPR today, it looked like it was used , and i got it from that ecaronline thing. i'm slowly working my way to install it, but it is fricken cold outside, i finally moved some cars around to get out of that -15⁰ F windchill, it's not horrible, but it's bad enough, so now i'm in the garage where it's 1⁰ F

[SupaStealth]

hmm, i just found out i ordered the FPR for the second gen, damit, lol. looks like i'll have to see about getting a trade-in.