i was changing my spark plugs the other day on my 3.1 and accidentaly broke the vacuum line that runs out of the rear of the intake and appears to connect to the egr. when i run it without the vaccum line on, the service engine soon light glows (as expected). the funny thing is that when i replaced the vaccum line with 1/8th inch line the service engine soon light turns off, and the car will run fine on the highway or at relatively high speed, but when i am deaccerlating to a stop the car will struggle and then stall. i can't figure out what is going on. I have played around with it a little and have noticed that when i start the engine with the line undone at the intake and then plug it completely closed with my finger the car will stall. I don't know whats going on so any help would be appreciated. TomP??
-Patrick

 

Doesn't the 3.1 have a digital EGR? (no vac line)?

 

Get ready to replace it.
The hose at base of distributor is shot.
Driver side.
Remove the upper intake, roll over to access the back area. NO NEED to detach a single things. Just roll gently, to passenger side.
Use 1/2" heater hose, lots of oil.
Have fun.
Use 5/16" windshiled wiper hose to repair the rest of the plastic line hoses.

 

THE EGR is digital. And Karl there is no vaccum line at the base of the distributor on the 3.1L. It's all electrical. No vaccum advance.

If I am correct I think the line you are talking about goes over to the wire harness thens comes back out (maybe the heater diverter valve?). I can't remember ware it goes from there. You may need to the entire hose. When these hard lines crack they tend crack all over the place. A dealer may be nice enough to soruce the part for you , Other wise you will have to grab a good one the scrap yard or do as Karl said and use wiper hose to patch ever crack in that line.


One other thing to do is clear the trouble code. Some times a stored trouble code can still give you issues. Like putting the car in "limp home" mode. Just remove the - battery cable for a couople of minutes and reconect it and you should be fine.

 

YOU MISUNDERSTOOD.
On the ENGINE BLOCK, ON THE DRIVER SIDE, OF THE DISTRIBUTOR IS-
the 1/2" vacuum hose I refer to that hooks to the PCV set up.

 

Kark are you taling about the hose that goes from the pcv and the hose comes off and goes into the the block by the distributor?

Does your car do that when your slwoing down aorund 20 miles or less the engine will surge up and down and up and down then just die?

 

There is no vacume line that runs to the EGR that i know of is it a vacume line that runs to a small box on the passanger side by the firewall?

 

Karl,

OHHHHHH ok! I know which one you are talking about now. Yes that one does like to break!!! so check it.

 

i still have no clue what hes talking about

 

THE MAP SENSOR!!! Having this disconnected will make your car run like crap. Simple answer, replace the hose.

 

David,
ALL of the 60* blocks have that vacuum fitting on the block by the distributor, driver side.
ANYTHING ELSE, well, I've discovered that the 1985 PVC set up is a one year design.
Your later 3.1 stuff is also different.
EASIEST WAY TO FIX THIS...
GO TO ANY GM DEALER,
Give the guy a soda, ask him for a printout of your car model year PVC hose set up.
Along with part numbers.
You'll be set.
Then get to work and seal ALL leaks/breaks.

 

Ok now i know what your talking about
BTW i called ben yesturday left a message hasent called me back

 

I'll give a shout, too!
THANKS for letting me know.