Engine cutting out when cold

Amoeba

Amoeba

Amoeba

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Joined
11 Sep 2005
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Southport
Hi

My friend has a 54 plate Vectra C and is having problems with the engine cutting out when cold. If he leaves it idling the revs will drop and drop until it dies, and also if he holds the throttle at a constant position (say 2k RPM) it splutters and eventually dies too. To keep the engine running he has to keep revving it until it's warm.

Now, I initially thought it was the ICV until he told me he can't hold the throttle open, so now I'm wondering what else it could be. First thoughts are lambda / MAF / temperature sensors...

Any other ideas?
 
Why would the MAF only affect it when cold though?

Don't know how much they cost but I can probably find one for swapping / testing purposes...
 
On my Vectra B, the gasket in the ICV was ruined, cleaned out the ICV with carb cleaner and made a new gasket from a cereal box, fixed the problem
 
Which engine ? Any fault lights on the dash...?

You can check the Mass Air flow sensor by unplugging it. The car will run in a pre-determined map and should drive reasonably ok. You will have the spanner light on the dash.

Other likely things are the Cam position sensor or crank sensor depending on engine, ICV is worth a clean and check as mentioned the gaskets are crap and perish, The EGR valve could be sticking but again at high rev's it should run.

I would also check all your vacum lines running to the Fuel pressure regulator as there could be a leak but again strange if it runs when warm but still worth a look..
 
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