It's gone, it's gone!

[9296D21B14]

The dreaded Mazda specific CEL code P1195 for MAP Booster Sensor malfunction for the '98 Protege with 218k. Usually caused by carbon blocking the port from the intake manifold to the sensor. Recommended fix is a manual cleaning of the port located just past the throttle body (est $400) and/or a new sensor ($600

) Basic driveability issue was uneven/stumbling idle particularly with the A/C on at idle. So, instead I threw everything including the BITOG kitchen sink at this little Z5 1.5L engine over the past 18 months the CEL has been on. ARX (x2), LC20, FP60, Molabrew, Techron, Amsoil Power Foam, Neutra 131 (gas and crank), MMO, and Lucas UCL all per instructions. Not all at once.

Sorry, no ATF. The light first flickered off during the ARX treatment and then became more intermittent recently with regular Molabrew at about 2 oz's per 5 gallons of gas. This all took place over about 15k. Oil was Rotella 10w30 or Havoline 10w30 at 4k OCI's and decent filters. Over the past few days the CEL has stayed off. It flickers at start up so I know the bulb has not burned out and the idle is smooth at 750 rpms with or without the A/C on. I suppose it was a combination of direct application of the CC cleaners and probable oil blow by with ARX, LC, N131, etc mixed in to the intake manifold which finally unblocked the clogged port. I like it! Thanks BITOG.

 

[kcryan]

Congrats, sounds like quite a job you did there.

 

[jamesn]

why not just take the sensor off and blow the port out with some compressed air and/or carb cleaner?

 

[dave1251]

all I have to say is.

 

[Cutehumor]

18 months with a check engine light on? I guess you don't have inspection where you live.

 

[9296D21B14]

Cutehumor. The Banana Republic of Louisiana does have an annual inspection but it does not test emissions. C'mon. Chemical plants and refineries daily belching out tons of particulates side by side from BR to NO and we're worried about car pollution? Brakes, lights, horn, windshield, wipers, registration, and proof of insurance are about it. The 'right' (most) places will often skip even those pesky items and just collect the $10. Good to go. Once in a while I'd stop in at AZ and check to see if something else was throwing a code. Not. jamesn. I did spray various cleaners into the port but the routing through the manifold prevented much penetration. No source for compressed air plus the carbon seemed to be very hard. It's just a vote for the slow but safe method with 'pour in' products which somehow worked over the long term. To wit, even a blind hog finds an acorn once in a while. Oink. That CEL was SO annoying.

 

[Vilan]

My Metro has had the CEL on for... 4 years.

Been through two pollution tests, nobody said a word. This car has OBD1 though, not OBD2, so I guess they don't care since they need to do the dyno test anyway instead of just looking for codes.

(Light is on because my EGR is plugged. As long as I pass the pollution test, I'm not fooling around with it. Did take it to a shop once saying the CEL would come on for a few days, then off again a few days, and on and off. They fixed it, all right... now it stays on *all* the time.

)

 

[ekpolk]

I just gotta ask -- was there actually any -- ummm -- gasoline going into the engine during the "treatment"?

Seriously though, if it worked, well done!

Although my location (see below) shows as Pensacola, I'm stationed in New Orleans and generally spend M-F in the BE. You're so right about that -- an emissions check for cars in Louisiana would be about the ultimate in hypocrisy!

 

[9296D21B14]

EP. Shell or Citgo 87 usually.

It was also my lot in life to work for a decade or so in Bogalusa where the paper mill/chemical plant is located. Even after the EPA mandated scrubbers, etc, I never got used to the smell. Cars at work parked under a drip line from a tin roof had the trunk paint melted off from the rain. I remember thinking that can't be good. I later met a pulmonologist who specifically requested an internship at the local hospital there because of all the "exotic lung diseases" seen there. Tough place for cars and lungs. Glad I got out. Jeez. Laissez le bonne temp roule!