I'm glad to hear that you found the explanation helpful and that you got some tips for diagnosing your own problem. If you have any more questions or need further assistance with anything, please don't hesitate to ask. I'm here to help!
I have a 1.6 Mazda 3 with the same code. I cleared the code, but it came back after a couple of days. I don't have acess to a smoke machine, so tried spraying carburetor cleaner near to the gasket and the engine misfired. So looks like i have the same problem, anything else I should check? Did you ever make a video about replacing the gasket? Thanks
It sounds like you’ve pinpointed a likely vacuum leak at the intake gasket, which is a common cause for the P2187 “System Too Lean at Idle” code. Here are a few steps you can take to further confirm and troubleshoot before replacing the gasket: Additional Checks to Perform: Inspect All Vacuum Hoses and PCV System: Sometimes, hoses around the intake can develop small cracks that might not be visible at first. Flex them slightly to check for any splits or wear. Inspect the Intake Manifold and Throttle Body Gasket: Since you had a reaction with carburetor cleaner near the intake gasket, replacing the intake manifold gasket is likely necessary. Also, check around the throttle body, as its gasket could leak as well. Fuel Pressure Check: A fuel pressure that’s too low can also cause a lean code. If you have access to a fuel pressure gauge, check the fuel pressure at the rail to make sure it’s within Mazda’s specifications for idle. Replacing the Gasket I haven’t yet made a video specific to this replacement, but here are some general steps if you're considering the job yourself: Disconnect the Battery. Remove the Intake Manifold: This typically involves unhooking the air intake hose, throttle body, and various vacuum lines, and then unbolting the intake manifold itself. Clean the Gasket Surface: After removing the old gasket, clean the mating surface thoroughly to ensure a good seal with the new gasket. Install the New Gasket and Reassemble: Carefully place the new gasket, reattach the intake manifold, and reassemble all connections. Hopefully, this does the trick! Let me know if you'd like any more specific guidance on the replacement process.
Thanks for such a detailed reply. To remove the inlet manifold it looks like i will have to remove the injectior rail complete with injectors will i need new seals when refitting?Also where is the pcv located? I have inspected vacuum hoses and flexed them with the engine running. Finding information on the 1.6 engine is quite difficult as the 2.0 tends to dominate.
You’re absolutely right; working on the 1.6 engine can be trickier to find info on since the 2.0 is more documented. I can definitely help you through this, though. ### 1. **Removing the Injector Rail and Seals**: - When you remove the injector rail with the injectors attached, it’s generally recommended to replace the seals on the injectors before reinstalling. This ensures a proper seal and avoids potential fuel leaks. - Look for **O-ring and crush washer** seals specific to your model if applicable. Many DIYers reuse them in a pinch, but new seals are best to ensure a tight fit. ### 2. **PCV Valve Location**: - On the Mazda 1.6 engines, the **PCV valve** is typically located on the **valve cover** (often near the rear side), with a hose running to the intake manifold. - You should see a small plastic or metal valve connected to a hose leading back to the intake. You can remove it and test by shaking (it should rattle) or inspecting for blockages. ### Tips for Reassembly: - Clean the mating surfaces thoroughly when reinstalling the intake manifold, and torque bolts to spec to avoid any vacuum leaks. - Since you already checked hoses, this approach should help clear up any vacuum-related lean issues. The PCV system might be the missing link here! Let me know how the repair goes or if you hit any snags during the process!
Hello, got the parts have started to remove the msnifold. Got the injector rail out and removed the manifold bolts. The manifold is free to move, but i haven't got enough space to remove the old seals/gaskets. I have removed disconnected various pipes and electrical connnectors, but can get enough movement. Movement seems to be restricted at the alternator end. Is there a clip i need to remove from underneath? Thanks
Fitted new inlet gaskets and injector seals. Very fiddly to get the manifold far enough away from the head to allow access! Found that no 1 gasket had failed. Car is much happier and idles smoothly Thanks for your help
Thanks for sharing your experience! The PCV hose can definitely cause the P2187 code if it's split, and covering it with duct tape is a great temporary fix. 👍 However, since it’s still causing the error, I’d recommend replacing the hose as a more permanent solution. A cracked or leaking PCV hose can mess with the air-fuel ratio, leading to that "System Too Lean" code at idle. 🚗💨 Glad the duct tape helped in the meantime, and good luck with the fix! Feel free to reach out if you need more advice. 😊 #Mazda3 #P2187 #CarTroubleshooting
If your fuel usage has increased significantly to 15.5 liters per 100 kilometers, there are several steps you can take to address this issue: Check Tire Pressure: Low tire pressure can increase fuel consumption. Ensure your tires are properly inflated according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Routine Maintenance: Ensure your vehicle is up to date on its maintenance schedule. This includes oil changes, air filter replacements, and spark plug checks. Fuel System Inspection: Have a mechanic inspect the fuel system for any leaks or issues that could be causing excessive fuel consumption. Check for Engine Trouble Codes: Use an OBD-II scanner to check for any trouble codes that may indicate engine problems affecting fuel efficiency. Change Driving Habits: Aggressive driving habits such as rapid acceleration, speeding, and heavy braking can significantly increase fuel consumption. Try to drive more smoothly and avoid unnecessary idling. Check for Drag: Make sure there are no issues causing unnecessary drag on your vehicle, such as a stuck brake caliper or a roof rack. Consider Environmental Factors: Changes in weather, traffic conditions, and driving routes can all affect fuel consumption. Try to minimize driving in heavy traffic and avoid routes with excessive hills or stop-and-go traffic. Consider Alternative Transportation: If possible, consider using alternative modes of transportation such as public transit, carpooling, or cycling for some trips to reduce overall fuel consumption. If you're unable to diagnose or resolve the issue on your own, it's advisable to consult a professional mechanic for further assistance. They can perform a comprehensive inspection of your vehicle to identify and address any underlying issues contributing to the increased fuel usage
nicely done, well explained, gave me some tips for diagnosing my own problem
I'm glad to hear that you found the explanation helpful and that you got some tips for diagnosing your own problem. If you have any more questions or need further assistance with anything, please don't hesitate to ask. I'm here to help!
I have a 1.6 Mazda 3 with the same code. I cleared the code, but it came back after a couple of days. I don't have acess to a smoke machine, so tried spraying carburetor cleaner near to the gasket and the engine misfired. So looks like i have the same problem, anything else I should check? Did you ever make a video about replacing the gasket? Thanks
It sounds like you’ve pinpointed a likely vacuum leak at the intake gasket, which is a common cause for the P2187 “System Too Lean at Idle” code. Here are a few steps you can take to further confirm and troubleshoot before replacing the gasket:
Additional Checks to Perform:
Inspect All Vacuum Hoses and PCV System: Sometimes, hoses around the intake can develop small cracks that might not be visible at first. Flex them slightly to check for any splits or wear.
Inspect the Intake Manifold and Throttle Body Gasket: Since you had a reaction with carburetor cleaner near the intake gasket, replacing the intake manifold gasket is likely necessary. Also, check around the throttle body, as its gasket could leak as well.
Fuel Pressure Check: A fuel pressure that’s too low can also cause a lean code. If you have access to a fuel pressure gauge, check the fuel pressure at the rail to make sure it’s within Mazda’s specifications for idle.
Replacing the Gasket
I haven’t yet made a video specific to this replacement, but here are some general steps if you're considering the job yourself:
Disconnect the Battery.
Remove the Intake Manifold: This typically involves unhooking the air intake hose, throttle body, and various vacuum lines, and then unbolting the intake manifold itself.
Clean the Gasket Surface: After removing the old gasket, clean the mating surface thoroughly to ensure a good seal with the new gasket.
Install the New Gasket and Reassemble: Carefully place the new gasket, reattach the intake manifold, and reassemble all connections.
Hopefully, this does the trick! Let me know if you'd like any more specific guidance on the replacement process.
Thanks for such a detailed reply. To remove the inlet manifold it looks like i will have to remove the injectior rail complete with injectors will i need new seals when refitting?Also where is the pcv located? I have inspected vacuum hoses and flexed them with the engine running. Finding information on the 1.6 engine is quite difficult as the 2.0 tends to dominate.
You’re absolutely right; working on the 1.6 engine can be trickier to find info on since the 2.0 is more documented. I can definitely help you through this, though.
### 1. **Removing the Injector Rail and Seals**:
- When you remove the injector rail with the injectors attached, it’s generally recommended to replace the seals on the injectors before reinstalling. This ensures a proper seal and avoids potential fuel leaks.
- Look for **O-ring and crush washer** seals specific to your model if applicable. Many DIYers reuse them in a pinch, but new seals are best to ensure a tight fit.
### 2. **PCV Valve Location**:
- On the Mazda 1.6 engines, the **PCV valve** is typically located on the **valve cover** (often near the rear side), with a hose running to the intake manifold.
- You should see a small plastic or metal valve connected to a hose leading back to the intake. You can remove it and test by shaking (it should rattle) or inspecting for blockages.
### Tips for Reassembly:
- Clean the mating surfaces thoroughly when reinstalling the intake manifold, and torque bolts to spec to avoid any vacuum leaks.
- Since you already checked hoses, this approach should help clear up any vacuum-related lean issues. The PCV system might be the missing link here!
Let me know how the repair goes or if you hit any snags during the process!
Hello, got the parts have started to remove the msnifold. Got the injector rail out and removed the manifold bolts. The manifold is free to move, but i haven't got enough space to remove the old seals/gaskets. I have removed disconnected various pipes and electrical connnectors, but can get enough movement. Movement seems to be restricted at the alternator end. Is there a clip i need to remove from underneath? Thanks
Fitted new inlet gaskets and injector seals. Very fiddly to get the manifold far enough away from the head to allow access! Found that no 1 gasket had failed. Car is much happier and idles smoothly
Thanks for your help
nah its the PCV hose, mine was split way open but managed to cover the split with some duct tape which really helped but still caused P2187
Thanks for sharing your experience! The PCV hose can definitely cause the P2187 code if it's split, and covering it with duct tape is a great temporary fix. 👍 However, since it’s still causing the error, I’d recommend replacing the hose as a more permanent solution. A cracked or leaking PCV hose can mess with the air-fuel ratio, leading to that "System Too Lean" code at idle. 🚗💨
Glad the duct tape helped in the meantime, and good luck with the fix! Feel free to reach out if you need more advice. 😊 #Mazda3 #P2187 #CarTroubleshooting
Is it another way to find the problem currently having this problem. Car failed inspection
You can try smoke test
Thanks
Where can i order the kind of smoke machine you used?
pls follow this link
ebay.us/QHVHs2
i have the same and fuel usage went to 15.5 l per 100 km.
what to do?
If your fuel usage has increased significantly to 15.5 liters per 100 kilometers, there are several steps you can take to address this issue:
Check Tire Pressure: Low tire pressure can increase fuel consumption. Ensure your tires are properly inflated according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
Routine Maintenance: Ensure your vehicle is up to date on its maintenance schedule. This includes oil changes, air filter replacements, and spark plug checks.
Fuel System Inspection: Have a mechanic inspect the fuel system for any leaks or issues that could be causing excessive fuel consumption.
Check for Engine Trouble Codes: Use an OBD-II scanner to check for any trouble codes that may indicate engine problems affecting fuel efficiency.
Change Driving Habits: Aggressive driving habits such as rapid acceleration, speeding, and heavy braking can significantly increase fuel consumption. Try to drive more smoothly and avoid unnecessary idling.
Check for Drag: Make sure there are no issues causing unnecessary drag on your vehicle, such as a stuck brake caliper or a roof rack.
Consider Environmental Factors: Changes in weather, traffic conditions, and driving routes can all affect fuel consumption. Try to minimize driving in heavy traffic and avoid routes with excessive hills or stop-and-go traffic.
Consider Alternative Transportation: If possible, consider using alternative modes of transportation such as public transit, carpooling, or cycling for some trips to reduce overall fuel consumption.
If you're unable to diagnose or resolve the issue on your own, it's advisable to consult a professional mechanic for further assistance. They can perform a comprehensive inspection of your vehicle to identify and address any underlying issues contributing to the increased fuel usage