14 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHcel & erratic idling
Reported or suspected cause
maf (kept throwing o2 sensor codes)
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Reported cause
Of course, I finally went back and forth to finally determine it was the MAF (kept throwing O2 sensor codes).
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
If you check and find a loose gas or oil cap (And check oil cap carefully for even if 'tight' it can leak and cause CEL and erratic idle) and tighten or replace and idle settles down then you're ok.
Leading evidence: 'maf (kept throwing o2 sensor codes)' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'maf (kept throwing o2 sensor codes)' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check oil cap carefully' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
If you check and find a loose gas or oil cap (And check oil cap carefully for even if 'tight' it can leak and cause CEL and erratic idle) and tighten or replace and idle settles down then you're ok.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
I agree that reading the code is the best way to start but it doesn't hurt to clean the MAF (do a seach for DIY) and see if the issue with the erratic idling goes away.
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
Check oil cap carefully
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
If you check and find a loose gas or oil cap (And check oil cap carefully for even if 'tight' it can leak and cause CEL and erratic idle) and tighten or replace and idle settles down then you're ok.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
I agree that reading the code is the best way to start but it doesn't hurt to clean the MAF (do a seach for DIY) and see if the issue with the erratic idling goes away.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
14 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261026T144035Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
is it safe to drive it to the dealer when there's a combination of cel and erratic idling? it's a steady cel i'm just worried about the idling. any ideas guys?
look for the obvious (loose gas cap, hoses loose, etc.) should be OK to drive to dealer, just don't push it. get the codes and let us know if we can help. don't guess without the codes.
I believe the CEL blinks if you shouldn't drive the car. If it's steady, you can drive there to get it checked. Or drive to the nearest Autozone to get the code checked. (Or borrow a reader, etc.)
The way I read this, your fellow RL group is willing to help you through if you are willing to do the leg work and get the info posted... That is like FREE CAR REPAIR.. well except the parts and labor thing...
DAMN GREAT DEAL!! I feel more confident today and these type of posts help to ease my worries in the event I ever do have something go wrong... Go Get That Code !! Everyone here will do thier best (which is far better than just one opinion, its a collective opinion) to get you on the road !!
:-) help is coming..
air/oil separator (AOS) engine at risk of serious damage, destruction, if while driving AOS allows engine to ingest enough oil to cause engine to hydraulic lock.
If this happens, at any engine speed save perhaps at idle, engine will be toast.
If it doesn't happen, AOS replacement at dealer not a real expensive job and engine will be as good as new. (My '02 Boxster has gone through *two* AOSs with no permanent harm done to engine.)
If you check and find a loose gas or oil cap (And check oil cap carefully for even if 'tight' it can leak and cause CEL and erratic idle) and tighten or replace and idle settles down then you're ok.
If everthing's tight and if you unscrew oil filler cap but can't remove against vacuum (from failing AOS) then shut off engine and have it flat bedded to dealer with strict instructions to not start engine because of failed AOS.
Be sure flat bed operator pays attention to note as well.
Sincerely,
Macster.
Isn't one of the most obvious reasons a dirty/damaged MAF (Mass Airflow Sensor)? I agree that reading the code is the best way to start but it doesn't hurt to clean the MAF (do a seach for DIY) and see if the issue with the erratic idling goes away. Do you have any aftermarket parts installed like CAI or headers?
horse poop.....
i drove 400+ miles with a CEL and erratic idling....turned out the MAF was acting up. had CEL reset, Cleaned EVO filter and lightly reoiled and now I am good to go
I drove 50k miles with a CEL on. Of course, I finally went back and forth to finally determine it was the MAF (kept throwing O2 sensor codes).
Mac, the AOS will not lead to hydraulic lock unless (possibly) you were on a track with high g's. The AOS is vertical and stands far above the crankcase with the vacuum pulled from the top.
It would have to suck the oil about 10 inches up through the AOS, past the ruptured diaphram, and then through about 3-4 feet of vacuum line before entering the left bank intake.
The AOS on early 996's does have two hoses with water running to and from it. If it fails in such a way to cause intermix, it could cause engine failure.
It can be anything for AOS to a faulty plug connection. Get the code read. If your a handyman, do a search and you may find a bad plug, ignitor, MAF sensor.
Do you have any other symptoms? White smoke is indicative of AOS but not always present.
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
