Spark plug update

[spc2125]

So after my car had been basically half apart sitting in my garage for over a month, i finally got my cousin Anthony to come help me remove the head. Well just for shizz and giggles, I tried the EZ Out. I nearly jizzed my pants when he said he got it out. So i fixed my problem right? Correct!

However, because I had my intake manifold unbolted he noticed that it was really dirty as well as the throttle body. So i took both apart and washed them. However, when Anthony went to remove the two sensors that were attached to the throttle body, one of them broke a little. I looked at it and it looked like copper wire wrapping around and there were 4 leads at the top which had copper wire wrapped around it BUT the wire was no longer attached to the whole copper winding. I went to start my car and i was idling around 2100 rpm and then would just fluctuate between 2200 and 1900 rpm.
I then would put it in reverse and it wouldnt fluctuate as high, but it would fluctuate from 1200-1600 rpm. Then I went to test drive it and it seemed fine WHEN I PRESSED ON THE PEDAL AND WAS MOVING. But as soon as i took my foot off the pedal, it would do the wacky idling thing.

I dont have a code reader and Im kind of scared to drive it that far to autozone to get the codes read. Right now the Service Engine Soon light is on as well as the Trac Off.

Im so close to getting my car back to normal.

Anybody have any ideas on what is causing this?
I probably just going to go to the junkyard tm and pick up that sensor and see if that fixes it.

[Mason]

this reminds me of what happened to my car a couple days ago, not sure which engine you have but i have the 2.4 and when i put the cover back on i didnt have the coils lined up right and that was the only problem, took minutes to fix

[AleroB888]

So after my car had been basically half apart sitting in my garage for over a month, i finally got my cousin Anthony to come help me remove the head. Well just for shizz and giggles, I tried the EZ Out. I nearly jizzed my pants when he said he got it out. So i fixed my problem right? Correct!

However, because I had my intake manifold unbolted he noticed that it was really dirty as well as the throttle body. So i took both apart and washed them. However, when Anthony went to remove the two sensors that were attached to the throttle body, one of them broke a little. I looked at it and it looked like copper wire wrapping around and there were 4 leads at the top which had copper wire wrapped around it BUT the wire was no longer attached to the whole copper winding. I went to start my car and i was idling around 2100 rpm and then would just fluctuate between 2200 and 1900 rpm.
I then would put it in reverse and it wouldnt fluctuate as high, but it would fluctuate from 1200-1600 rpm. Then I went to test drive it and it seemed fine WHEN I PRESSED ON THE PEDAL AND WAS MOVING. But as soon as i took my foot off the pedal, it would do the wacky idling thing.

I dont have a code reader and Im kind of scared to drive it that far to autozone to get the codes read. Right now the Service Engine Soon light is on as well as the Trac Off.

Im so close to getting my car back to normal.

Anybody have any ideas on what is causing this?
I probably just going to go to the junkyard tm and pick up that sensor and see if that fixes it.

show a pic of what broke, the wire plug or sensor socket?

[spc2125]

not the purple plug that goes into the socket, but the plug that goes into the throttle body. it has like four copper leads and they are not attached. The two pieces in the picture I think are all suppose to be one piece.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s480x480/428509_4081375277300_1370109359_3569827_686964853_ n.jpg

Anyways, what does this piece/sensor do?
Could it be affecting my idling?

[AleroB888]

not the purple plug that goes into the socket, but the plug that goes into the throttle body. it has like four copper leads and they are not attached. The two pieces in the picture I think are all suppose to be one piece.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s480x480/428509_4081375277300_1370109359_3569827_686964853_ n.jpg

Anyways, what does this piece/sensor do?
Could it be affecting my idling?

I think that's the throttle position sensor (TPS) but I never saw one demolished like that, so a little hard to tell. :)

[spc2125]

Thats definitely whats wrong. Im going to the junkyard tm!

[[ion] C2]

definitely TPS

[spc2125]

Can i get one from ANY car that has the 2.2 ecotec?

[spc2125]

Stick a fork in her, shes done.
I got her all back together and it ran perfect. Then as I was pulling out of my driveway I realized I was leaking something from underneath. I look and its not oil. I look into my power steering and its realllyyyy low. So I fill it back up and start the engine. I then notice there are drops coming from the (if your at an overhead view of the engine) top right corner of the valve cover. I noticed it wasnt touching the top of the head so i take that bolt off and then re-tighten it. I wanted to get it really tight, and SNAP!
The second valve cover bolt that has broke on me. I would need a bolt extractor to remove it. But I decide to try and take off the valve cover.

I go to take off the ignition module. And it would only be ironic to see that there was coolant in my farthest right cylinder. So i shut the hood, pushed it into the garage and shut the door.

Really upset, and really sad. I was going to use the money from selling that car to buy a new one. Now im out that money.

I'm not sure what I want to do with it. I might keep it and in my spare time, replace the head gasket. But i imagine I wont be very free with having 3 jobs right now and college coming up in the fall.

This day had me at the highest of highs, when I got my car running again...
Then the lowest of lows when i found out i have a head gasket leak.

[Shiwnath]

Wow thats shitty luck man.. Atleast you seem to have the know-how to do it... A head gasket leak could have been much worse.

[spc2125]

Wow thats shitty luck man.. Atleast you seem to have the know-how to do it... A head gasket leak could have been much worse.

how could it be worse?
The car runs fine, doesnt sound like crap. Its just that i was dripping something and then i looked underneath the ignition module and saw that the spark plug has liquid in that cylinder.

Could i still drive it?
I just want to get rid of this car soo bad. But i really needed the money for it.
Ugh.. Now im just ranting and trying to blow of steam.

slkgjlksdgjhklsgksdjghksdujbsagkgjghghfjg

[sleepyalero]

getting rid of a head gasket leak is CHEAPER then buying a new car. especially when you do the job yourself.

its terrible luck, but all cars have there problems. atleast now you shouldnt have to worry about it for quite awhile after its changed.

[spc2125]

getting rid of a head gasket leak is CHEAPER then buying a new car. especially when you do the job yourself.

its terrible luck, but all cars have there problems. atleast now you shouldnt have to worry about it for quite awhile after its changed.

Im getting a 2004 wrx regardless. But the money i was going to get for this was going to help pay a tad for it.

I just want a 5 speed really bad!

[zearchyo]

2004 wrx great looking car. id like one too

[JLw7123]

2004 wrx great looking car. id like one too
yes it is. But if you are young insurance is a little expensive. i will be getting my subaru buy the end of june but i am still going to keep my alero i like it to much its a good car.

[sleepyalero]

alero + 5 speed!

[JLw7123]

alero + 5 speed!
ya but those are rare.

[spc2125]

alero + 5 speed!

yea... im afraid if i give it to a shop, they will never return it :p

[spc2125]

Alrite I picked one up from the junkyard and started my car right up. Runs perfect.

New problem: I saw a leak coming from the top right corner of the valve cover and cant tell what it is. It looks kinda like water. Its not oil. I took off my ignition module and in my far right cylinder there was liquid to almost the top of my spark plug.

Ive heard it could be coolant and be caused by a bad head gasket. What other possibilities could it be and what can i do to actually figure out EXACTLY what it is.

Could I still drive it? Keep in mind it was dripping under the car, but the car was running fine.

[colonel6632]

ya but those are rare.

ive never understood how you think they are rare. there are lots. now ones that come with leather sunroof and power windows are rare