01 Protege-random rpm drop and hesitation
 

Hi all, new to the board.

I have a 01 protege 2.0 auto.
Lately, when at idle (car is warmed up) the cars rpm drop to about 200, then go back up and drop again. when i take off, the car is hesitant to move. once going, it drives fine.
this started happening recently and ive noticed it about 15% of the time.

this problem is not throwing any codes.
is this egr related?
tia.

RE: 01 Protege-random rpm drop and hesitation
 

that sounds like a bad MAP sensor to me. you could try other things, but this is where the smart money is.

RE: 01 Protege-random rpm drop and hesitation
 

That really does sound like an EGR valve problem. Have it cleaned. It took me about an hour to clean mine. Mainly cause i did it at night and i have fat hands lol. Proteges have a problem with EGR valves. They are easy to take out and clean. Depending on if you took out your intake system or not.

RE: 01 Protege-random rpm drop and hesitation
 

I tried removing mine but no luck. The two 12mm bolts are merely impossible to remove. I sprayed PB Blaster on them and waited but still couldn't get them to turn without further stripping the bolts as it already has to some degree so I stopped. I was able to get the top half off (the upper part held by 4 little phillips screws) and spray cleaned it with carb/throttle body cleaner, I've also sprayed the 'spring/loader' on the other half and aimed deep inside any open passages, that's all I can get.

There are no issues with the car, it runs and idles very smooth, great pick and accelleration - just a darn CEL (haven't had a chance to check it yet). Before that, I replaced both O2 Sensors, New Coolant, Transmission Oil/Filter, Engine Oil/Filter, New Ignition Wires, and yesterday; I spray cleaned the MAF sensor...so far, the light is still ON.

What the heck can it be???