97 N* Shaky idle

[N*Caddy]

Well guys I finally found some time to go to the GM dealer. After some 10-15 minutes spent waiting for a guy to finish the phone conversation, then go in the back and return only to pick up another phone call then look for some papers, finally asked me what I want. “Fuel lines recall, I don’t think so, let me check…no there is no recall, anything else?”
So you were right, in Canada apparently things are different.

[clarkz71]

So, looks like you need someone in the US to send you a stainless rail.

[N*Caddy]

Just changed the spark plugs and wiring (everything ACDELCO). The spark plugs were looking fine (no cracked insulation, yes some carbon deposits but I have seen worst). The spark plug wire set looks like being original (if is the one with cylinder numbers printed on). Strange is that the new cables (bought from rockauto.com) don’t have the numbers (also some small length variations). Anyway with this occasion I discovered another plastic fuel line cracked (the one between cylinder 1 and 3). I had hard time to see the cracks, the gas smell was pretty noticeable in the last week, some fuel leaks when idling, and the most obvious proof was the gas dripping from the rail after removing the beauty cover. The cracks are plenty and minute and they develop along the rail. You can only see the cracks if you slightly bend the rail. Now is clear I GOT to replace the darm plastic things with the stainless steel rail (right now I have 3 hoses and that’s a Mickey Mouse solution).
Question for those who replaced the rails: The stainless steel kit from rockauto.com (ACDELCO Part # 12499784 ) is ALL I need, do I need to buy some additional parts or not? My concern is the connection between the rail and the injectors. Aaa … and one more thing, how do you remove the plastic things on top of the injectors, do I need a special tool or something? I’ve notice that they appear to be fixed in place by a metal tab. I tried to remove the tab but after some attempts I aborted (I was afraid to crack the top plastic part).
As for the tune up, in the 50 km or so driven after, I had no more shaky idle (maybe a slight roughness witch I believe is due to the hoses elasticity, you know, the Mickey Mouse solution) but other than that is a 98% improvement. Also the misfires (more and more frequent lately) are gone (so far). But then again, one year ago when I replaced first time the spark plugs, I had two weeks or so of perfect idle and gradually the problems came back. My question is … will I finally close this thread after I replace the fuel line?

[mysts98]

yeah i had the same problem , and i had to by a new egr vavle , ran perfect after i installed it

[CadiJeff]

and then there is always a flakey coil pack to check for

[Ranger]

N*caddy,
The fuel rail was recalled by GM for the '95 - '97 Northstars. Go to a dealer and get it replaced for free. SOON!

[9BlackN*Black6]

Here dude! For a mere $76 you can eliminate your problems!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cadil...QQcmdZViewItem

[N*Caddy]

Ranger,

I tried that, don’t forget the car is made for Canada, and apparently in Canada exactly the same plastic fuel lines don’t crack (must be something with this air). If you read the previous postings you will get the full picture (frustration) with the dealer. By the way, for free no, but for a $500 bargain I should jump right into it (sorry I am just sarcastic, been there done that).
Anyway, thanks man, this might be useful information for somebody in the states.

9BlackN*Black6, you just made my day
Thanks’

[Ranger]

Ah, I didn't notice the Canada thing. In that case, I'd be all over post #37.

[N*Caddy]

By the way this are the old spark plugs (mint condition for 20k miles)

[9BlackN*Black6]

Your welcome N*Caddy. I just got my Fuel Rail Recall done saturday. Car seems a little more peppy after recall.

If I remember correctly Im pretty sure you need to get injector O-rings and Fuel pressure regulator orings when you put new rail on.

O yea one thing I did notice, If you wanted to clean your EGR valve out, do it before you change the rail. I was lazy and didnt clean mine out and now I cant due to the mounting of the new rail.

Did a few WOT runs on the highway this weekend and it seemed to help out my idle, i was idling at around 700-800rpm and now im at a steady 550 rpm. I probably blew some carbon out of the EGR or something. BTW plugs look good. Replace wires at 100k mile but if it isnt missing then dont bother the wires yet.

[Nick_C]

Maybe I am learning a bit about cars, my 92 El, was doing it just a bit, and first thing I thought is it needs a Tune up, new plugs, Damn, have to put it off another week though...

[N*Caddy]

Update…
Today I just changed my fuel line from nylon to metal. Thanks RDHambrice, dp102288, Ranger, Klarkz71 and 9BlackN*Black, for the advice and for the ebay tip.
The whole process took me about 3 hour. The most difficult part was to disconnect the fuel line from the main lines (looks like you need a special tool for those clips, I managed to disconnect them eventually using a plain ordinary knife, but I wouldn’t recommended).
The metal fuel line fit like a glove the only problem was, as you will se in the pictures, the new line has a bent end while the old one is straight. This is why, unfortunately, I bent the nylon incoming main line (in two places). So right now I kind of need to cut the bent portion and reattach it to the metal end connector (anyway is too long for the new setting, this is why got bent in the first place). Anybody knows how (looks pretty tight, does it work with heat or how?). Another thing is due to the fact that the fuel line brackets are held by the same lugs that hold the beauty cover; I had a hard time to put the cover back (the lugs are slightly shifted). As for the EGR valve, I regret that I opened, was clean as a whistle.
So, after 40 miles with the new fuel line and 1000 miles with the new plugs and wiring I can safely say that the car RUNS GREAT. The RPM needle is rock solid at around 600 RPM, no more shakes no more misfires and no more gas smell (except from the fuel tank filler neck, I have to fix that sometime).
Next is the auxiliary input project for the HU. I got to find the time for it cause we are living the MP3/Ipod era.
Here are the pictures from the fuel line replacement project (sorry for the dirt, we just finished the winter here, but that engine will be clean again in a few weeks).

P.S. Now I know why the bracket holding together the old fuel lines was cut - they changed the return hose (under the TB).

[coppertop]

Originally Posted by N*Caddy

Ranger,

I tried that, don’t forget the car is made for Canada, and apparently in Canada exactly the same plastic fuel lines don’t crack (must be something with this air). If you read the previous postings you will get the full picture (frustration) with the dealer. By the way, for free no, but for a $500 bargain I should jump right into it (sorry I am just sarcastic, been there done that).
Anyway, thanks man, this might be useful information for somebody in the states.

9BlackN*Black6, you just made my day
Thanks’

N*caddy it is not a recall here but is on a special bullliten that gm dealers have. I'll post the Bulliten # for you. Call Gm canada and complain about it. I was informed to take it to a caddy dealer and have it checked. Just dont bother to go to City Cadillac if they tell you to bring it do a dealer. I was fighting with Jim Wildman (service manager) over the rail. I inspected my rails as per recall or special bulliten and they failed. couldn't read writing at all. All sevice department did was wipe them down with silicon spary to make the rails look black again. I told him Making the rails look pretty doesnt fix the problem but he refused to fix the rails. To make a long story short, its now about 8 months later and the rail is leaking and oh yeah shacky idle. Going to have fun with GM Canada now.

[N*Caddy]

I am reviving something from the past…

So I was having problems with my shaky idle, turned out to the spark plugs. Ok so after that I kind of still feel a slight shake here and there, in an average car that will be perfectly normal but not for a Cadillac.
Ok so the other day I just unplugged the vacuum line that goes to the vacuum tank. Drove the car with the open vacuum (free to air) until today and what do you know…NO SHAKES AT ALL . I mean shouldn’t be the other way?
Obviously now the line is plugged back and here and there I can fell a small shake.