Author Topic: Motorvac on an high milage older 1996 engine (Read 1175 times)

bowser · « **on:** August 02, 2005, 01:45:44 pm »

I have an older car (1996 olds ciera 3.1L 230,000km)

I am experiencing some rough ideling within the first 30 seconds at startup. (The engine cylces back and forth from almost stalling to really reving high). After 30-60 secs the car runs/idles fine.

I was going to get a motorvac service done. Thinking that although it might not solve the problem it wouldnt hurt to have the engine cleaning done.

Should I not have the motorvac done on such an old engine with such high milage? (My car consumes some oil - and I was wondering if the cleaning would maybe cause more oil consumption by cleaning away some of the sludge and grime around seals)

barrie1 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 02, 2005, 02:00:09 pm »

Bowser Welcome to the Forum, I for one would not recommend this flush as it may indeed wash away too much from the seals and other internals. I would suggest putting a can of GM's own Engine Oil Supplement in to add some extra lubrication to the engine. The engine surging at startup sounds more like a fuel problem then anything to do with the oil.

bowser · « **Reply #2 on:** August 02, 2005, 02:59:15 pm »

Thanks for the welcome Barrie1

When you say fuel problem - do you think maybe a fuel pressure problem? Should I ask the garage to check my fuel pressure?

Also, the surging does not occur at every startup and I cant seem to pinpoint it to certain environmental conditions (it occurs; in the summer and winter, sometimes when it has rained or when its dry) The car is used to go to work (4km) just barely enough time for the car to get up to normal operating temps with weekend trips about once a month for typically 800km.

The odd time I have put the premium grade gas into the car and thought that the problem was a little worse when I was running the premium.

barrie1 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 02, 2005, 09:54:22 pm »

I suspect a garage will put it on a engine aneyliser which will give you the answer you need. I doubt it has any need for the premium fuel as you have discovered. Maybe in the winter to help with the moisture factor in the tank but not in the summer. It shouldn't be that serious.

articsteve · « **Reply #4 on:** August 02, 2005, 10:53:21 pm »

Mass air flow sensor if equipped or an idle control motor come to mind. Could also be an small intake manifold leak and it takes the motor's PCM a bit of time to make an adjustment.

I would not get the motorvac service done whatever that is and I don't think it is fuel pressure or you would have problems continually.

Like suggested you need the engine codes read because it is OBD2

bowser · « **Reply #5 on:** August 03, 2005, 10:32:12 am »

Thanks for the suggestions

maritime_storm · « **Reply #6 on:** August 05, 2005, 09:54:57 am »

Motorvac, is a fancy brand for a fuel injector cleaning service offered some dealerships & shops. It's a super strong fuel injector cleaner that's run through main fuel rail at the engine. It works well, but is expensive, and can be avoid by running a good fuel injector cleaner on a regular basis.