i looked long and hard at a hydraulic scissor lift last year...

 

the only bad thing about it is theres a handfull of things u wouldnt be able to do because the way the lift sits under the car...but honestly it'd make home auto repair much easier overall

 

Didn't read the whole thread, but P0441 comes on when your purge valve solenoid gets stuck open.

Symptoms :

- Car is hard to start after a refuel.
- Idle is unstable.
- Engine might even die at idle.
- Fuel mileage sucks.
- Pulling out a lean code.

To test this, follow the hose above the transmission, it runs from the gas tank to the intake manifold, going behind the intake. Right above the tranny is a metal hose turning into rubber, split it there, block both hoses then go for a cruise. If this doesn't instantly fix your problem, it wasn't the source. If so, replace Purge Valve solenoid.

 

All those symptoms are happening to me right now! I will look for that hose and try to do what you have stated. I will let you know when I'm doing it so maybe (if it's alright with you) I can get some help as I don't really know much about anything yet.

Thank you so much man!!!

 

I had the problem for like 8 months, got worse by the day, couldn't sleep at night.

It acted like a vacuum leak (which it was) but I couldn't figure out why the car would be hard to start after a refuel. I knew all my symptoms had to be related.

The car threw all kinds of codes, so it wasn't helping much.

Had System too lean P0117?, P0441, something about Evap too low and too high at the same time, plus some others that popped and never came back.

The hose is really easy to find. It's near the firewall (actually goes through it) right above the tranny. There is 2 hoses there, one for the fuel system, the other is what you are looking for. If you are not sure which is which, one goes to the front of the intake manifold to the fuel rail. The other is going behind the intake manifold. It's this one you want to plug. If you still aren't sure, you should have someone with better knowledge check it.

I had to cut the hose cause it was kinda stuck, then used a bolt and a hose clamp to plug one side. Then used thick plastic and another hose clamp to plug the other side.

I reset the ECU for good measure, and everything went back to normal up to now. When spring comes around, I'll try to either clean it or change it, whatever.

You will throw another code, something about a coarse leak to the evap system. This is basically your car saying you did something to the evap system, but no negative side effects will come out of it, maybe lose a bit of gas mileage (compared to before you had the problem).

This is all I could think about, if you still have questions, feel free to ask!

 

just a quick update.
i've done what you said and i still get +/-230km @ 1/2 tank and +/-130km @ 3/4.
i've even tried the 1-3-5 shifting pattern and it's the same.
i'm going to have to check my spark plugs.
i think they need to be replaced soon.

thanks guys!

 

ever gotten a fuel/induction cleaning service...?
it'll help, but it wont be a huge gain....
it's likely u'r just at the max mpg possible...
theese cars anre't really made for great mpg...
i'd say w/ a 1/2 tank you're getting ~230km/~142mi sounds about the same as i'm getting...and honestly i dont really expect much more...

our tanks are just over 45L/12gal(49.2L/13gal IIRC...)
assuming 1/2 tank of gas is 24.6L/6.5 gals for ~230km/~142mi...you're getting ~35km/L/~21.8mpg...and that's about average from what ive read about theese cars...
and assuming ~1/4 tank is 11.3L/3gal...that's roughly 42.8km/L/26.6mpg...but now u've used some fuel and the car weighs less...theoretically the less fuel u'd have the farther you can go because it's lighter...

 

i was a bit surprised with your KM/L numbers then i converted the MPG numbers to KM/L and it started to make sense.
i was like, DAMN! 35km/L is A LOT lol.
i don't know if i'm wrong but that's what google told me:
21.8mpg=9.2km/L // 26.6mpg=11.38km/L
this gives me a peace of mind that i'm on the right track.
i just really need to get my trans rebuild and i will be good to go.
wish all of us here in EvoM lived closer to each other lol.
we can start our very own "EVOM GARAGE"!
that would be pretty sick!
thank you so much again for all your input nekkidlad!!!

 

At what rpm do you change gear, also, what is the vehicle's speed when you go to 5th gear ?

 

i usually upshift between 2000-2500rpm.
but sometimes it seems like when i push it to upshifting around 2500-3000rpm i get better KML/MPG.
usually i'm going 50-60kmh when i get to 5th.
i'm stumped.

 

it's still the same til now guys.
i'm really leaning towards replacing my spark plugs.
i think that will get me better mpg as i'm pretty sure they're due to be replaced.
i'll check them out but at the same time have new plugs ready to be put in just in case.
what do you guys think?

 

How old are your spark plugs? Did you run them while having a lean code?

There are other tips to increase fuel mileage, like running a slightly higher pressure in your tires, like 36 psi. Ensuring the alignment is optimal, reducing wind drag (got a big wing on your car?), checking all underbody panels, clogged catalyst, dirty/clogged air filter, checking all evap/anti-pollution devices (contrary to popular belief, these systems actually improve gas mileage).

Looking on google for hypermileage might give you some other tips also.

 

thanks so much for the tips bro!
i don't know how old my plugs are.
i guess that means it's time to replace them lol.
as for hypermiling, i've read up SO MUCH about it that it's not even funny.
i've heard of people turning their cars OFF on downhill slopes and even pushing with their feet to back out of parking spots.
lots of HYPER-shxt out there!
but i'll be sure to take a look at all the culprits that you've mentioned.
i'm running on 34-36 psi right now.
every gas station seems to give me VARYING psi measurements.
thinking of getting one of those digital tire gauges just for comfort/security.
i'm awaiting for the high-flow cat that i got here on EvoM from a member.
cost me $40-shipped
hoping that it makes a difference once i weld it on!
my air filter seems fine.
i always try to get the crap out of it when i take a peek under my hood.
i've also been planning to take my wing off but i can't find the right size "fir tree" plugs for the trunk holes.
home depot isn't helping me at all.
went to partsource and no luck either.
my search continues...
thanks again for all your helpful tips xmaster!

 

Get your own pressure gauge. I'd suggest getting a digital one, they are inexpensive and reliable. I first bought an electronic model that died during winter (left it in the car), so it looks like it didn't enjoy the cold (anything with batteries will have a hard time when the temperature drops). Ended up buying a pen styled gauge, I guess you can't go wrong with that one.

 

Oh and some people are idiots, turning your car off on downhill slopes is straight retarded, as you end up having no power steering, no power brakes and while you turn the ignition off, it locks the steering so you cant turn it.

Hope this trend is not to popular, I'd hate to have to cave a guys' face in after he caused an accident by locking his steering while trying to save 10 cents of gas. Some people shouldn't be allowed to drive...