Vaccum leak or replace MAF sensor...Please Help!~

[donnieb83]

I am in the Army and stationed in Turkey. A buddy of mine finished his service and "gave" me his 96 S-10 Blazer 2WD with 136K miles. I bought it not running because the starter kept breaking where the bolts mount into it. I had it towed to a mechanic shop here in Turkey and actually picked it up Friday to have more problems. I dont know what to do. Sorry in advance for the long post. Here is whats happening:

I ordered a new flywheel (old one had a broken tooth), a new starter, and a transmission mount. After everything was installed by the Turkish Mechanic Shop I started the Blazer to hear the starter grinding trying to engage on the flywheel properly. After the Blazer started it had a very rough and low idle. I DO NOT have a tach so I am guessing about 150-200 RPMs. (Blazer has been sitting for probably 3 or so months with 3/4 tank of fuel). After about 5 mins the truck was reving very high in PARK(at least 2000 RPMs im guessing). I pressed the gas pedal quickly to see if the idle would drop but it would only for a second or two just to rev up again. I was told by the Turkish mechanic my MAF sensor is bad and that I have a leak where the TB connects to the hard plastic on the air filter. He disconnected the MAF sensor while the truck was running and the motor started reving even faster. He plugged the connecter back for the MAF sensor and it was still reving fast. I heard of a "closed loop" or something and even try to research it on wikipedia but did not understand what it is. Can anyone help? I am limited on parts here in Turkey. I do not have Carb Cleaner, TB Cleaner, WD-40, or MAF sensor cleaner to check for vaccum leaks. What else could I use? Im hoping my new truck and I will be able to travel around Turkey while we are here. Does anyone have 2 starter shims they couple spare? I would gladly pay the priority shipping to get it here to Turkey. Thank you all very much for your help and reading this LONG post.

[gchemist]

Hello,
Does the Blazer had any stored codes? Check the EGR valve. It may be stuck. The air idle valve is another potential problem. Search www.autozone.com for maintenance procedures and component locations. A dirty MAF sensor causes all kinds of problems. Use up the fuel and use fresh fuel.

[donnieb83]

We do not have a local shop around here that I know of that has a code reader for my car that I can get read, let alone for free. I am actually going to purchase an ODB II scanner from EBAY. I am probably going to just end up buying a new MAF sensor because each part I order takes at least 1 week to get here to Turkey. Below is the ODB II code reader I am thinking about getting on EBAY. Any iputs? Thank you again for your help. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AI T&viewitem=&item=310072697157

[gchemist]

The scanner will work. An Actron scanner is my choice.

Oh, plug up the leak!! Air leaks into the airtake cause a lot of heachachs.

[donnieb83]

WOW I just got back from the Mechanic shop tonight. They finally fixed my truck. They replaced the spark plugs, fuel filter, fuel pump, dropped my gas tank and cleaned out the old gas from the tank, rebuilt my starter, and some other little misc things. I got this truck for free from my friend and before today I "had" $1400 in parts and labor in it. I just spent another $500 on it today. Thats $1900 in parts and labor. I am still in disbelief how much I paid for everything!!! I cannot wait until I get stationed back in the states!!!

[Yogi]

So how does it run now?

Thanks for your service to our Country!

[gchemist]

I bought my Jimmy for $1700. I've put about $2700+ in parts. Runs like a champ!!

[donnieb83]

I drove it yesterday from the mechanic shop to the base and it runs strong! I would drive it more but I dont have a license plate or registration for it yet. I am very very please with it. Just sucks having spent nearly $2K in less than 3 weeks of having it thinking it was "only" a starter problem. With all that being said it I more than excited to drive it and order some aftermarket parts for it.

Your very welcome. I enjoy the military very much and was a recruiter before and recruited my little brother also in the Army. Hehe....but he is doing great and we both enjoy our jobs very much!~ Thank you all for help and "future help".

[Yogi]

Congrats and good luck!