1993 Buick Regal Rough idle, stalls, hissing sound

1993 BUICK REGAL
201,985 MILES • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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GEARHEAD81
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I have a 1993 buick regal w/ a 3.8 TPI. The engine started making a hissing sound a couple of days ago, and over the last 24 hours it has begun stalling and wont even idle. when it began hissing, i looked under the hood for the source of the problem. What I found was a metal flex pipe, about 3/4" dia. going into the rhrottle body, just before the plenum. it has a plastic clamp that seats in the TB assembly. the pipe is not sealing into the TB, causing air to leak around it. i "bandaided" the problem by wrapping a couple layers of electrical tape around the pipe fitting to help it seal. it is working for now, but I am not familiar with these engines and do not even know what to ask for at the parts store.
Mar 12, 2010 at 9:18 PM
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CARADIODOC
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This isn't a common parts store part like spark plugs and water pumps. You will likely have to visit the dealer or a salvage yard. The stalling is due to "unmetered" air getting into the engine. When it doesn't go through the Mass Air Flow sensor, the Engine Computer doesn't know that air is there so it doesn't command enough fuel to go with it.

If you do ask at the parts stores, just pop the hood in their parking lot and point. They're used to that. The guys at the dealership will be able to tell you if new parts are required or if new clamps are all that's needed to perform a repair of the existing parts.

caradiodoc
Mar 12, 2010 at 9:38 PM
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GEARHEAD81
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[quote:8cde44b0f2="caradiodoc"]

If you do ask at the parts stores, just pop the hood in their parking lot and point. They're used to that.

caradiodoc[/quote:8cde44b0f2]

LOL Haven't done that in a while. what is the assembly that it attaches to?
Mar 12, 2010 at 9:48 PM
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CARADIODOC
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Can't say for sure without seeing it, but it sounds like a part of the PCV system. That will bring blowby gases into the intake system to be burned. If the other end attaches to the fresh air tube coming from the MAF sensor, it is supplying air to the crankcase and the air will be cold. More likely it's bringing the blowby from the crankcase to the air intake at the throttle body since that's where you said it is attached. A rubber tube would work but oil vapors tend to cause it to deteriorate very rapidly. Being metal suggests oil vapors, hence, part of the PCV system.

The tube can't be part of the EGR system because the hot exhaust gases aren't introduced at the throtle body, and that sad plastic clamp would melt.

If this pipe slides onto fittings at each end, you might find replacement hose in bulk at the parts stores. If there are special ends, bolt-on flanges in particular, it is more likely to be a GM-only part. Still doesn't hurt to ask at the parts stores.

caradiodoc
Mar 12, 2010 at 10:05 PM
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GEARHEAD81
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Awesome. Thank you very much.

Chris
Mar 12, 2010 at 10:09 PM
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CARADIODOC
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You're most welcome. I hope it helps. If you get the chance, post a note telling where you found the parts and what it took to make the repair. That could help someone doing a search in the future.

caradiodoc
Mar 12, 2010 at 10:14 PM