Gawd, I'm really learning more about my jeep than a girl should have to (thanks to you guys!)

After tooling around in the desert all weekend while on my way into town to gas up, the ETC and ESP/TCS warning lights started flashing and the jeep was idling very roughly (the ESP didn't activate, just the light). I shut it down and when I started it back up everything was fine.

When I got home I pulled the codes and once again got the infamous P0218, but this time I also got a new one - P2173 - High Airflow/Vacuum Leak Detected (Slow Accumulation).

Is there something I can/should check, because I really don't want to go back to the dealer after my last experience. He'll probably tell me my tires are causing a vacuum leak because they're too big. Besides, I'm having so much fun learning how to handle some of this stuff myself.

Wasn't sure whether to post this in stock or modified because I don't know the source of the problem, so mods feel free to move if appropriate.

 

Typically, it's a hose that came off or cracked. I doubt it is your intake manifold as its too new (famous last words). Quick way to find it if you have propane is to run your engine and release very small amounts of it around the manifold like if you were using a metal detector. If the engine changes in sound or begins to idle rough, you have found your leak. Another thought is your air mixture sensor. If it is dirty (i.e. full of sand), it could give you a false reading and run you lean.

 

Sometimes vehicles just have electrical gremlins, a sensor momentarily sticks or the computer loses its mind and needs a reboot. Since it was fine after you shut down and restarted, I would wait until it does it again to worry or mess with anything. Last year my Dodge ram diesel ran rough and the engine light came on. I shut it down and restarted, its hasnt done it since. Am I curious what made it do it? Yes. Curious enough to take it to the dealer? No. But thats just the opinion of a shadetree mechanic who hates taking anything to the dealer.

 

you would be suprised.

but like he said check everything on the intake part of the motor. there is a leak someware. it prolly loosened somethin with the intake manifold or anything of that sort. thats whats the rough idle is from. its getting air someware past the throttle body.


or its just throwin false codes.

 

Yeah I'm hoping that's all it is bly109, just don't want to be the one who breaks down on the trail and has to be rescued because I ignored something, so I feel better if I poke around a little bit to reassure myself. I may not know what I'm looking at, but it still makes me feel better.

So I started with the easy stuff before I go blowing the house up with propane - the hoses look fine from what I can see through all of the dirt (guess it's time to clean everything under the hood ). Where is my air mixture sensor? I'm pretty fanatical about cleaning my air filter, if that makes a difference - hopefully very little dust is getting through. (my air filter is the only clean thing under the hood ).

 

OK, trying to connect the dots here...possibly the CAI where it attaches to the engine? That's the intake area, or at least part of it, right? I'm doing google searches looking for diagrams and explanations

Don't laugh...I have to use a step stool to look under the hood, too.

But I do have a good sense of humor...most of the time!


ETA - I do not have an aftermarket TBS, if that makes a difference.

 

By all means definitely poke around and see what others suggest to check. I was just saying dont drive yourself too crazy looking for a problem that might not exist. I know I drove myself crazy worrying and trying to figure out why my truck did that, but I couldnt duplicate the problem. I hate dealing with service departments, so I was trying to avoid taking it in. After a few weeks went by and it didnt happen again, I quit worring about it. But I definitely didnt mean for you to totally ignore it! Now I have this picture of you broke down on the trail in my head and yelling "That damn Bly109 told me just to ignore it" Next thing you know I m ignored and ridiculed on here... then eventually banned and forced to sell our JK to help pay for therapy due to the depression I fall into from a lack of JK-forum..... You get the picture ok, no more half asleep posts for me. Time for bed. Good luck with it, I hope its nothing!

 

simplest way is to start from the air filter and follow it to the engine, all that stuff and the stuff connected to that stuff. sorry for not being as descriptive as im going off of memory.

 

Yeah... If it's not a hose, or sand clogging a filter and you are still having a problem... take it to the dealer.

As for propane... It works very well, and it adds some excitement to your life.