check engine light question

[mprobst]

As a new diesel owner, you guys have been a big help to me, saved me a few hundred with info about doing my own glow plugs. Thanks for that. This morning on the way to work, my check engine light came on while idling at a long stoplight. At the same time the truck started to vibrate or rock like maybe a cylinder was missing. When I stepped on it a little to drive away, the light went off, and things smoothed out. Next stop, light back on, and idling rough and little slower than normal. Accelerated a little harder to see if it would clear up, sounded normal, light flashed out for a second or two and then came back on. It seems to run better when I am getting into the throttle, and then get rougher as I slow down, and is rough when it hits idle.

Long story, my question is, should I take it straight to a mechanic at lunch, or am I safe to pick up the kids after school (40 miles round trip, 1/2 on interstate) and see if I can get it to a mechanic Saturday or Monday morning? I don't want to make things worse, and know with my old jeep, I would drive to get the kids and then home, then work on it, but with the wifes newer focus svt, it would go straight to a mechanic for fear of worse damage. I don't have a code reader, so I have no idea what codes it is throwing. Anyone want to recommend a good shop in the Boise / Meridian Idaho area? I used a guy in Emmet to change my HPOP right after I bought the the truck, but that is a bit of a drive, especially if it is not running right.

Last question, My neighbor is a snap on dealer, and will usually read the codes for me, how far into this thing can I dive in my garage with an average tool set? it took me 7 hours to do the glowplugs, but the second side went way faster after learning a few things on the first side. I bet it took me 40-50 minutes to get that back bolt out on the first side. and getting the tubes (?) off the turbo was a long process also, could not budge them at first, finally slipped a plastic bicycle tire tool in and moved it around to break the seal between rubber and metal.

Thanks
Mike

[dannanw]

you are prolly fine to drive the kids home, almost (other will prolly chime in to) like a map sensor issue, or a inj starting to go. Have it scanned and see what is causing it. and if you have a goon enough tool set (and knowadge) you can do alot. these trucks, one you get to know them aint that bad, and seeing as you did GP's I would check that all the conections that you undid/redid are good and tight. if it was me I would scann it and if you cant figure it out come on back and tell us and I would bet at least one person on here has had the same issue.