Rough Idle & Temp Gauge Jumps

[Threehz]

My car has a weird hot start issue, idles rough up and down for a few times then evens out.

The thing I've been noticing is that the temp gauge jumps around while it does this. I've heard a bad temp sensor can cause idle issues..

Could this possibly just happen because of the alternator not giving it power or because the actual gauge may be tripping out?

[AndrewBird]

The gauge and the ECU have different temp senders, so the problem is likely un-related.

Have you done the mess under the intake yet? Idle problems are generally caused by vacuum leaks. Either that or a gummed up idle control valve.

[Threehz]

PO did mess under the hood, and in searching I haven't found any cracked or loose tubing. Except, the intake boot from MAF to throttle body has some small cracking?

I also plan on taking my ICV off and cleaning it out soon to rule that out.

Thanks man.

[gearheadE30]

If that intake boot is leaking that can cause a rough idle until the ECU algorithm finds a known value to work from. Spray any questionable areas with a small amount of starting fluid or brake cleaner or something. If the idle changes, you've got a leak.

[Threehz]

Well I found out after installing my new fuel pump, that my sending unit is leaking now. Siliconed it a minute ago, we'll see how that works, I got a new o-ring in the mail as well..

Once I lock down that issue, if it still has this issue I'll try the starter fluid or maybe smoke test. Thanks.

[AndrewBird]

If you have cracked on the hoses you can see, there are many more on hoses you CAN'T see. Likely the cause of your idle issues, it's kind of common on these engines. lol

[Threehz]

Well no idle problems so far, and since sealing the fuel level sender unit up the idle went back down from 1100 to like 700ish. I still have a strong gasoline smell in the cabin though... I gotta go check and see if it's sealed up ok or what is leaking now.

None of the hoses in my engine bay appear cracked except the intake boot.

[TimKninja]

Unless youve undertaken the mess under the intake you cant tell if theres leaking vacuum lines . Thry run under the manifold . You cant see them. If your boot is ripped there is a huge chance your lines are too.

[Threehz]

PO did mess under the intake.

I've looked all around and under the intake and every hose in the area looks good but I guess I'll take the throttle body and manifold off and do a thorough check.

So I was had a fuel pump leak, fixed it, then my fuel sender leaked, fixed that (I think). Yet I still have a very strong smell of fuel in the cabin. It pretty much only comes when I'm driving at a decent speed.. The fuel pump area under the seat has no smell of gasoline now. I can't smell gasoline anywhere else around the vehicle, yet when I get in it after it sits, it smells like I'm inside the gas tank.

Any ideas?

[AndrewBird]

Fuel lines under the intake manifold. The rubber lines get old and crack and can cause a fuel leak. Be sure to check this as it can cause an engine fire.

[JRYE30]

I had this same issue, found a cracked rubber line under the manifold. After fixing that it went away. I just had it happen last night again and now I can see a small crack on my intake boot, I suspect that's the problem.

So as stated above, I'd check the rubber lines

[Threehz]

Well I just got a new intake boot, a meter of 8x13 fuel line (the lines around my fuel filter are dying)

I will definitely check under the intake, but here is the strange part.

Gasoline smell when I drive. After I let the car sit for a while, the entire cabin smells like gasoline.

Where would gasoline be leaking into the cabin besides under the rear seat?

Because I can take my back seat out, open the fuel inspection lid, and sniff my fuel pump, almost no gasoline smell at all. I cannot smell gas anywhere else around the vehicle either.. Just inside the cabin..

It's really annoying driving with that smell, and I know it's no good to be breathing those fumes in.