seabelial2008

how to fix it? seems car is works fine.

fsttyms1

Can you give us a little more info? Like did it just start? does the car run sluggish? Did you recently have or do any work to the car? Did it start after filling the car up with gas?

seabelial2008

start seems ok, the idle only at begining seems a little unstable. no any maintain job to do recently, only 2 month ago, it has misfire, garage said there was Ignition Coil was broken, the all of the spark are ok, after they changed the coil the car was back normal.

yesterday i drove this car on freeway about 30mile, it's seems ok, but the light is on when i drove on local for several mils, the car is a little shock, maybe caused it's 145k miles.

i check the air filter, i was changed 8 month ago, seems ok
i want to chen the MAF sensor, but seems 2001 TL only has MAP and does not need to chean.

3.2TLc

Hey Seabelia2008, With the cooler temperatures outdoors and the "reformulated" winter gas....it may be just a fluke. The code is indicating that the fuel system is running lean. No real biggee ! I'd suggest clearing the codes and see if it comes back. It could be that your EGR passageways are getting gunked up.

In the meantime, run some fuel system cleaner in the gas and consider doing some basic TB intake cleaning, if it's been awhile.

seabelial2008

i earsed the code and seems it runs fine on freeway, but on local, the code will back, so i will ask grarge do a fuel system cleaner. or it caused by O2 sensor?

this car doesnot have a MAF.

btw: i have a obd ii scaner, so i can test some parameter.

01tl4tl

do NOT let the shop rip you off for a system cleaning
use Seafoam -1 can in half a tank of fuel..do that twice will make everything like new for 20 bucks
instant results on certain parts when applied thru the TB throat- will clean things there too

misfire code is usually 1 bad coil--did you swap them as suggested before?
must reset ECU each time you move a coil- clears codes and runs self test

does it have the right spark plugs in it?

seabelial2008

thanks 01tl4tl, only put Seafoam in gas tank? tubute shows need put it in 3 place.. gas tank and house and engine oil.

misfire -- the garage changed the coil then backed to normal.

how to reset ECU? you mean clean failed code by OBD II scaner?

http://engine-codes.com/p0171_acura.html

thanks.

01tl4tl

no- clear ecu by removing the clock fuse on passenger end of dash
its the secret backup power to ecu and forces full clear and self test
obdi scanners may not do the full clearing we need

seafoam- stop looking at youtube for TL information!!!
ziners know whats what about a TL!!!
do not try to do massive smokey runs from a dead start!!!!!

thru gas eliminates master vac port method= if you have any concerns over that application method

thru gas always gets every part of the fuel and combustion system

oil method is used just before an oil change

the old 3 ways in 1 can is some serious 1950 marketing bs
look at the website to see correct min and max ratios
half can in our 5 qts oil

half can in master vac port and full can in half tank gas
or full can in half tank of gas twice

oil method has nothing to do with anything but the oil!

fsttyms1

So its fine on the hwy no cel but once in the city it comes back on?

seabelial2008

to: fsttyms1, seems like that, i ran it on freeway about 30+ miles, it's ok, but on local, maybe 10 miles the light may be back.

seabelial2008

to: 01tl4tl

you mean i only need to put 1 can seaform for half tank and do it twice?
no need to put it in vacuum house and engine oil?

how about map & O2 sensor? maybe one of them of both are failed?

fsttyms1

Odds are you would be getting a code for them.

Did you recently fill the tank and this started?

seabelial2008

to: fsttyms1

yes, i refilled a full tank.

01tl4tl

91 octane, name brand gas?
did prob start soon after fueling??

seafoam: oil method is used just before oil change... and is not related to main cleaning via gas tank or vac port..your engine will appreciate it
for best results with your higher miles
install a new filter--$3 kind is fine for this,,seafoam will release a lot of crud,,an old filter may reach its capacity
add 1/2 can seafoam (1.5 oz per qt oil per seafoam tech support)
drive up to 200 miles,,trips over 30 minutes are very helpful
important!!
change oil with it warm from a 15 minute freeeway buzz

when you do seafoam thru gas as stated- twice- thats equal to one vac port and gas,,actually does a better job
Still need to spray the throttle air plate seperate,, with any method
its just not reachable--direct contact only-
remove snorkel hose from TB inlet to air filter top
must get both sides and edges really good

possible prob with new fuel? 2 cans seafoam in the full tank now!
that will move water in tank safely thru the system and out the exhaust
--thats a real possible problem with bad weather, all it takes is a bad seal at the gas station on the tanks
seafoam will also clean injectors and anything in the fuel or combustion chamber from possible fuel contamination residue

O2 sensor failure should throw a code thats actually correct= O2 failure bank 1!!
not like those false multi coil codes when its one
Has Mpg dropped to 15?

front o2 sensor does the work of reading how the engine is running and reports to the ecu which makes adjustments to mixture timing etc..they do wear out eventually
use DENSO brand- oe part- plug and play
the rear sensor makes sure the cat is functioning

seafoam also cleans the O2 sensor and the cat!

Note: the extra details on system function are for `new to how the car really operates` members,,

01tl4tl

go ask the manager or owner at the gas station if anyone has reported a problem with their car
have a buddy go ask the cashiers~

way back when I worked in a shop, a run of cars with the exact same problem, all shopped at same station and no where else,,came in with overflowing carb

after repair, one customer brought in a gallon can of `just purchased` fuel- asking us to examine it
Well- you know,, in a gallon it may be hard to see anything,,,but we poured it into a pan,,
WHOA!! are you kidding me,,not halfway thru pouring and extensive black crud particles big enough to clog a carb jet littered the pan!!

Station owner repeated test direct at the pump.... and paid for all the car repairs!

3.2TLc

Hey Seabelia2008, yes....I must fully agree that "a '01 TL with 145k on the dial can at times be a little shock, to say the least ! "

What all previous PM stuff have you done recently the past few years ?
Do you do any of your own maintenance ? Lot's of good experienced advice is available on this site. A 10 year old car with over 100k needs periodic attention as things tend to wear out. If you do your own work, consider a service manual which is available by downloading. Either learn to do the work, or be prepared to pay good money for servicing the TL.

seabelial2008

to: 3.2TLc

it's a pre-owner car, seems good maintain at i bought it, it was 137k at that time, i change oil every 3 month, and the only 1 failed was the coil.

seabelial2008

hi, all

the gas tank was empty then i refill it at Chevron, last time it was costco.

seems the engine is silent then before and engine light is off (already ran almost 20miles on local)

now we have a new issue: sometimes when I push the gas paddle, the car (engine) is no response, if i keep push it, maybe the engine is working fine suddenly.

seems it's fuel filter or fuel pumper?

3.2TLc

Are you presently getting any CEL codes ?

You may want to consider having the fuel pressure checked. It's possible that the fuel pump or tank's internal fuel filter sock is gunked up. If you have not already tried a fuel system cleaner, try adding some to the gas.
It may help some. But, if there's alot of crud restricting the fuel flow ......the injectors may be dirty. Another possible problem may be the fuel regulator. Get the pressure checked and it'll save alot of guesswork.

seabelial2008

does 2001 acura tl have in tank fuel filter? is it easy to replace?

3.2TLc

Unfortunately, It's not as easy as one would like it to be.

The filter is located on the bottom of the fuel pump. So, the fuel pump assembly must be removed from the fuel tank to access the filter. To remove the pump unit, ya gotta take the cover panel from bottom of the spare-tire well. Make sure that the key is off and pull the pump's relay. Remove the electrical connector, then take off the quick-connect fittings, loosen all the retaining bolts on the top ring, lift the pump unit out and you'll find the filter at the base of it.

While I have not actually replaced my TL's filter, I've done this on other cars and it can be rather tricky the first time. Spray the bolts with some penetrating oil if rusted and be very careful with the various connections. Pay close attention to how the unit comes out....as it has to be precisely situated when re-installing.

As I previously suggested, try some fuel system cleaner and have the fuel pressure checked before attempting to replace the filter ! Ya may get lucky !

seabelial2008

seems the car is back to now since i refilled gas tank at Chverol, it ran 80+ miles now, no more engine light.

3.2TLc

Hey Seabelia2008, thanks for checking back in ! If only all of life's problem's could be so simple to resolve, as just filling up with a premium grade of fuel. Good luck man !!!!

seabelial2008

i heard many people said costco's gas is bad, lower mileage.

seabelial2008

requested by DMV, i tested the smog yesterday, it was passed!

3.2TLc

Hey Seabelial2008, congrats on passing the smogs ! .......and wow, now after a week, your car has returned to normal. That's like a miracle, aye ?

seabelial2008

yes, seems it caused by costco's fuel, maybe that batch fuel is not good, more alcohol. lol