2003 Eurovan - occasional stalling, lumpy idle, P1165, no CEL

[dbeeby]

Hello folks,

I'm trying to diagnose an issue with my '03 Eurovan MV (VR6 with 200K miles) and am looking for advice because I'm about to take an 1,800-mile road trip with the kids later this week.

Here are the symptoms:
- No CEL
- VCDS reports P1165 (system too rich, intermittent)
- The idle is occasionally lumpy and stalls when the engine is hot.

I've owned the car for about three years and it's never stalled on me (ever!), so this is strange behavior.

I'm wondering if I need a new secondary air injection pump, new (cleaned?) MAF, or something else. Any tips on where to locate and replace the air injection pump would be helpful, but I can't imagine it's that because the issues I'm encountering are _after_ it's warmed up.

Any input?

Thanks,
Dan

[67rustavenger]

Have you used any fuel injector cleaner, Techroline, in the fuel tank?
You may have an injector that is not flowing correctly.

Someone smarter that I, will be along to lend a hand with your issue.
_________________
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GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!
2003 Astrovan? GFYS again, Xevin!

[dbeeby]

Thank you @rust, I used BG 44K a while back and I only put 91+ in it, but I'll try an injector cleaner before I take it to the shop on Friday.

[trunnion]

Try clamping off the hose from your N80 valve to the throttle body. The N80 valves sometimes fail open which allows an air leak from the charcoal canister into the intake. Depending on how saturated your charcoal canister is, that could result in rich or lean codes.

Doing this will throw an evap code and CEL, but that can be easily cleared after you've ascertained whether your symptoms have improved.

[dbeeby]

Sweet... thank you @trunnion. I'll give that a shot tonight!

[dbeeby]

So, I tried clamping off the N80 valve as @trunnion suggested. It didn't seem to have any affect on the engine (which was running very smoothly), but I did get an additional EVAP code (P0441, incorrect flow -- no CEL, still, though).

I cleared all of the DTCs and ran readiness -- it returned about six "failed or not ready".

Next I went through the readiness reset (except for all of the driving parts) and most of the codes cleared. Here's the Address 01: Engine scan from my VCDS:

[trunnion]

[dbeeby]

[trunnion]

If the engine was running smoother after you clamped off the N80 valve, then the valve is probably bad. Take it off the car and blow through it. Valve should not let air pass when de-energized.

[dodger tom]

when it stalls, does it restart right away, or does it take 10-15 minutes?
_________________
1978 Champaign Edition 2 Westfalia
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[SambaBurnsRed]

[dbeeby]

Hello folks, thanks for the feedback.

@trunnion, I didn't notice a difference when the valve was clamped shut or open to breathe. I will remove the valve and ensure that it's "closed".

@dodger_tom: yes, when it stalls it cranks and restarts right away. I don't think it's vapor lock, though it has been exceptionally hot on the East Coast this week, which might explain some of the symptoms.

@SambaBurnsRed, I'll get some injector cleaner, but at 200K miles I might be due for that service (I don't know if it's ever been done).

I'll report back if I learn anything new.

[dodger tom]