Installed the ZZP CAI over the weekend and its ran fine up until just now. I was pulling out of a parking lot when the idle started bouncing all over the place and it made a horrible noise every time I touched the gas. The CEL came on and won't go away now. I was too far from an auto store to test the CEL. Its pitch black right now but I just took apart the intake and am putting it back together. What the **** is going on?

Edit: My engine bay is smelling like a weed whacker too.

 

do you have a vacuum leak or a fuel leak?

 

Not too sure. What's the easiest way to tell? I just reinstalled and tightened all the clamps for the intake. Just hooked up the battery so I'm waiting 15 minutes to start it again.

 

Also, my timing chain tensioner has been clicking away the past few weeks. Do you think maybe I snapped the chain or something? Maybe the timing chain skipped?

 

what was your vac/boost gauge saying at idle and when you put gas to it? you would know if you had a fuel leak. if you have a 10mm socket and ratchet, pull your valve cover to see how your timing chain looks if you're concerned it's that

 

I honestly wasn't paying attention to the boost gauge. I was too busy swearing and shitting bricks. My friend said not to even start it again in case it did jump timing. He said that since I was able to start it and drive it home that hopefully no valves are bent. Having it towed to my mechanic tomorrow morning.

 

pull your valve cover quick and see if there's any play in the chain. if yes, definitely don't start it. if your valves did get bent, i have a whole set of used stock valves and springs if you need em.

 

Thanks man. I'll let you know what happens. Its pitch black outside and drizzling so I'm not about to take the valve cover off right now, but we'll see what my mechanic says.

 

your hood is used to protect from outside stuff. so it will work for the rain. the valve cover is just a few bolts and you only have to lift it about 2 inches to check for chain play

 

Anyone else want to chime in here? I'm having a pretty bad anxiety attack right now and could use some other opinions on what could be wrong and how much it could cost me to fix.

 

as others have said, remove the valve cover, and inspect the chain. also shine a flashlight down in there to see if any of the guides are broken. do you have the new style tensioner? if everything looks ok, remove the passenger wheel and pull back the wheel well to access the crank pulley and front timing cover. there is a mark in the timing cover for cylinder 1 TDC that you can use to check if the timing is correct.

If the tensioner is bad, it's only like $45 for a new one.

If the guides are broken, they aren't that expensive either, but you will need a new crank pulley bolt. Also, sometimes the guides are ok, but the bolt that holds them in place has sheared.

if the valves hit the pistons, it's going to cost around 500 in parts and machining. However, since you drove it home, I doubt this is the case.

 

Called my family mechanic this morning. He works on all my aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc cars so he's always straight forward with me and relatively cheap. He said that he thinks it might have only jumped a tooth or so since I was able to limp it home. My father said he doesn't want me working on my car to this extent in his driveway and since my bum ass is living here rent free I can't really say no. Getting it towed to the shop either Monday or Tuesday.

 

I still say you pull the valve cover and see how your chain is