mcmike54

Was getting a camshaft sensor (rear, left?) code and dug into the engine to find it. Removed the air cleaner to get to it, looking to see how difficult it would be to replace. While putting the air cleaner assembly back in, the hose leading into the front valve cover broke off. Discovered the hose fitting broke right off the front valve cover. So new valve covers too.

So the new covers come in today. I removed all the connectors and hoses to the air intake and the air intake itself. Replaced both valve covers then reinstalled the air intake and all the hoses/connectors. The engine starts but is VERY rough and dies after a few seconds, maybe a minute. I also hear what sounds like a classic horror film scream on initial start, bit higher pitched. "Scream" also happens if I push on the gas. I've searched and searched but can't find anything that isn't plugged in or connected. Also throwing several trouble codes which I've not written down yet but will get tomorrow.

Car was running fine until the camshaft sensor code popped up. Was hard to start when that started but still drove fine. What may I have done, or missed, that would be causing this?

maximatech12

Did you remove the fuel injectors to do this?

mcmike54

Didn't remove anything but the hoses and various connectors, intake plenum and valve covers.

2damax

Sounds like a rather large vacuum leak. Did you use RTV when installing valve covers? Did you reuse damaged gaskets? Damaged hoses? Torqued correctly? Something was not put back together correctly. Be prepared to take stuff apart and do it all over again.

Mattx

iTrader: (2)

Did u stuff paper towels into the upper intake ports and forget to remove them?

Derrick2k2SE

iTrader: (3)

What year is the car? There are distinct differences between the 3 and 3.5 liter cars.

Will it stay running it you rev it up and hold a higher RPM?

The first thing I would do is pinpoint the location of the screaming sound. Have someone rev it (or do it your self if it's a 3.0 car) while you listen. Hopefully that will lead you to a split boot or other vacuum leak.

If you can pinpoint the general location of the sound, spray it with some brake parts cleaner while the car is running. When the spray hits a vacuum leak the RPMs will jump up for a few seconds.

A vacuum leak will throw all sorts of codes if it's bad enough to stall the car.

mcmike54

Thanks for all the help so far.

Here's the codes I'm reading:

P1122 Electronic Throttle Control Actuator
P0223 TPS/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch B Circuit High Input
P1224 Throttle Position Sensor 2
P0340 Camshaft Position Sensor A - Bank 1 Circuit Malfunction

VR6JH

Relearn idle

mcmike54

Even with the "scream"?

Derrick2k2SE

iTrader: (3)

Did you plug the throttle back in?

If it's an 02/03 did you screw with the butterfly in the throttle.

mcmike54

When I initially tested my work, the car started and died. Tried it a few times with the same results. Checked for anything I missed and found the throttle was not plugged back in. Once I plugged it back in I started getting the current symptoms. Did not mess with the throttle butterfly.

Derrick2k2SE

iTrader: (3)

Ok, most of those codes will be from starting it without the throttle plugged in.

Any luck pinpointing the location of the sound?

mcmike54

Think I've got it solved. Got the wife to start the car for me so I could attempt to locate the wailing. Was able to tell that is was coming from the top of the manifold/elbow seam. Grabbed one of the bolts and it spun freely. I instantly remembered that during tear-down I had had a "dumbass" moment.

When attempting to remove the 2 bolts from the elbow bracket back behind the manifold, I started to remove the 2 top bolts securing the elbow to the manifold. I realized what I was doing before fully removing the bolts and apparently never tightened them back up. Tightened those back and engine starts right up. Runs, and sounds, fine. Have not taken it for a test drive yet but so far so good.

Thank you all for the help!

Derrick2k2SE

iTrader: (3)

Yup, that would do it. We've all had those moments.

Welcome to the forum BTW. Stick around. It's a pretty good group.