Excelle Engine Stalling Fix: Faulty Air Valve Alert

As someone with moderate experience working on cars, I dealt with very similar symptoms on my 2001 Buick Century last year. The check engine light and irregular idle problems were almost identical to what you describe. After noticing engine stalling and inconsistent RPMs, I took it to a workshop where they diagnosed a vacuum leak caused by a defective hose connection between the pump and valve. These symptoms often point to air intake system issues that affect manifold pressure. The repair involved replacing the damaged hose and connections, which solved both the idle problems and eliminated the check engine light. Total cost was around 175 for parts and labor, definitely worth fixing before it leads to more serious engine problems. To help provide more specific advice for your situation, could you share: Current mileage on your Excelle, Any other warning lights or unusual sounds, Whether the stalling happens more frequently when the engine is cold or warm, If you notice any changes in fuel consumption The symptoms you describe are classic signs of vacuum system issues, but having these details would help confirm if your problem matches what I experienced.

I had my last service done at 104918 KM and these issues started shortly after. The engine stalling is more noticeable when the engine is warm, and fuel consumption has increased by about 15%. No other warning lights besides the check engine light, but there is a slight whistling sound from the engine bay during acceleration. The symptoms seem very similar to what you experienced with the air supply system. Your feedback about the vacuum leak makes sense given my car also struggles with maintaining proper air intake. It is reassuring to know this might be resolved with a straightforward hose replacement rather than more extensive repairs.

Thanks for providing those additional details. The whistling sound combined with increased fuel consumption strongly supports my initial suspicion of vacuum hose issues. On my Century, the whistling noise was actually the first sign before the engine stalling began. Since your symptoms emerged after service, check if any vacuum hoses were disturbed during maintenance. The air supply problems often start when hoses get slightly displaced or damaged during routine work. In my case, one of the vacuum hoses had developed a small crack near a connection point, causing similar air valve and idle problems. A quick diagnostic tip from my experience: spray some carb cleaner around the vacuum hoses while the engine is running. If the engine RPM changes when spraying certain areas, you have likely found your air leak location. This helped me pinpoint the exact issue before replacing parts. Given the matching symptoms and similar vehicle age, I would recommend getting those vacuum hoses inspected first. The repair should be relatively straightforward as it was on my car. The increase in fuel consumption should resolve once proper air supply is restored to the engine.

Based on your feedback about the whistling noise and fuel consumption, I am now quite certain we are dealing with the same vacuum leak issue you experienced. The timing of these problems starting after my service does suggest possible disturbance to the vacuum hoses during maintenance. I will try the carb cleaner diagnostic method you suggested to check the air supply system before taking it to a shop. The whistling during acceleration combined with the check engine light and stalling really points to compromised vacuum hoses affecting the air valve operation. My next step will be having the vacuum system thoroughly inspected, particularly checking for loose connections or small cracks in the hoses. Given that my symptoms match what you encountered, from the engine stalling to the increased fuel usage, I feel more confident about pursuing this repair path rather than jumping into more expensive solutions. I appreciate the detailed information about your repair experience. It helps to know this could be resolved with a straightforward hose replacement, potentially saving me from unnecessarily extensive repairs.