my check engine light came on on my 97 2.3, so i went and had it checked at advanced. So i got this code and replaced the front o2 sensor because it came up bank 1. I then got the code removed and it came back on with the same code. The only other problem i have been noticing is that when i downshift, the rpms will want to drop near 600 when i push in the clutch from 2,000 rpm. Thanks in advance.

 

vacuum leak

 

i have had the same problem... mine turned out to be the mass airflow sensor

 

that makes sense too, but i dont see it setting just one bank lean, idk, thats one of those things you gotta look at to see, hard to diagnose over the internet.

 

if you have a 2.3, you only have one bank...

 

ive read how people check the vacum lines with carb cleaner- how do i do this?

 

that is a VERY unsafe technique!!!!! All you have to have is fuel for the fire(i.e. a frayed spark plug wire) and boom, there goes ur eyebrows and probably all of your vacuum lines, wiring harnesses and possibly paint too!!!

 

do you know of a good way to check for them then?

 

How does it cold start and idle? Whats outside temp? Do rpms drop even at operating temps.? To check for vac. leaks first with cold eng off with good lighting do a visual insp. working from one side to the other inspecting all hoses and connections, look for cracks and loose connections, there arent very many vac. hoses on the 2.3-2.5's. A vacuum guage may help. Inspect fasteners for torque, on MAF sensor, throttlebody, and intake manifold, check intake tube-to-air filter. If initial insp. doesn't find anything, start eng.(no heat or a.c.) and listen underhood for a whistle or hissing sound, idle should be smooth-steady @900-1000RPM.(higher side in cold weather) Maybe a dirty intake sensor, or intake manifold leak? check PCV Valve (rattle test). Did the new front O2 sensor help? or the same? If you have one behind the cat.conv. it may still be bad.

 

well i went to check for a vac. leak and all the red hoses- the ones to the intake are all good, but when i checked the green one, there was hardly any suction.

 

any ideas?

 

check your PCV valve and line, also use some MAF cleaner on the sensor(DO NOT TOUCH THE SENSOR!)

 

ha, good point, never thought of that

 

check your intake gaskets.

 

could someone tell me where the pvc valve and line is and what to do to check it?

 

pcv valve - underneath and between the first 2 injectors. if it rattles then it should be ok... but they're cheap to replace.