novadk13

I need a radiator for my 88 the plastic cracked open when trying to fix the POS, so if anyone has an extra sitting around let me know.

The problem


The car all of a sudden wants to die when at idle, happen one day on the way to work backfiring on the way home babied it with full heat (was low on coolant)

Replaced the headgaskets because of the nice white smoke at idle thought that would solve the problems NO. The backfiring came from a bent pushrod so thats also fixed, new plugs since I broke some of them because of those stupid slp headers went with a slightly colder plug.

The car will idle 100% fine until it gets to around 180 degrees then you have to keep the foot down to stay running. let cool down and its fine again, going to try the other coil I have laying in the garage other than that not sure whats up? It doesnt throw any codes so I couldnt narrow it down any further.

dustpusher

Have your icm tested.Had one do the same thing.It was heat related.

3.8TransAM

Check the ign. coil

Check pickup coil

Check ignition module.

Check pass head grounds.

Check ignition switch.

Is this the tbi one or the tpi one?

Whats it do when it cuts out? Just die as in its off now? or does it stumble and quit?

later
Jeremy

novadk13

it will start to stumble rpms bounce from 500-900 rpm its a tbi, the ground looked alright when I put the heads back on.

always tinkerin

iTrader: (1)

If all electronics check out OK then I would check for something mechanical like a vacuum leak. That could likely be a cause for surging, eratic idle, and a lean backfire. Lightly mist some either (and I mean lightly!) where the intake runners meet the cylinder head, and anywhere else you think there might be a vacuum leak. Be careful not to spray anywhere near spark plug wires, headers, or excessive heat...also be aware of the explosive fumes-you don't need a fire! If there is a vacuum leak, the engine will most likely respond by briefly idling up. If it is idling roughly, it will respond by smoothing out briefly.
Good luck!

novadk13

Its a tbi so no runners, I'll check into the vac leaks but most of the hose's are blocked or caped off somehow.

IrocZ85

iTrader: (10)

Well if you need a radiator still I have one off a 89 305 TBI Ill sell for $25 LMK

novadk13

Think this has something to do with it?
just checking a few things out when I removed the ignition modual, one bent prong.

novadk13

I finally sold my firebird to a kid wanting to restore it back to the way his brothers was before he passed away. Well he lives in I believe he said fairfield ohio which is about 5 hours away from me, he got about 2 hours in and it sounds like something with the radiator blew and he's stuck as of 9 on sunday night on I-80. I feel like a **** but I felt 100% that the car would be fine making it that far, it was a little rough but take it easy should be no problem.

So he called a bunch of tow places to get it towed somewhere but its gonna be around 100 bucks for the tow, I told him I would cover the tow fee to the local shop or wherever. Then told him if it cost to much to fix I'll tow it back to his house since the u-haul dolly doesnt cost that much.

So hear I am almost 11 the kid that just bought my car stranded on the side of the road 2 hours away the first weekend back from marine bootcamp. Basically nothing I can do but tell him sorry, and to top it off I put in a new starter today on the car and a new radiator two weeks ago.



I guess life is a bitch then you die

3.8TransAM

Used is used.

I'm pretty confident you wouldnt lie to anyone about what you sold them.

Sometimes its just the breaks that you get.

Cant do to much about it.

xpndbl3

iTrader: (5)

every spring when i go through the checks on my car before i fire it up something dies and this car gets very little miles on it ever. I always plan on $200 for something to go wrong....they're old cars and used is used. Nice of you to offer to help him out on the tow, but with an older car trailering it over a long distance sometimes is worth the added expense. But then again I bought my 88 suburban with 182k on it and drove it 2900 miles back from california over 4 days without a hiccup, besides the motor running around 220 the whole time from a clogged radiator, the desert didn't help much either.

novadk13

Ok I just talked to the kid and he said the tow truck driver said it was coolant from a busted hose. So looks like Im going to joliet weds to help fix the thing, he was also saying they had to push start it twice He said it would start fine but when it warms up/gets hot it hardly turns over? Its a brand new starter, im thinking it gets to hot by the headers could that do it?

The plus side he loves the thing even though it popped a hose, hopefully when I go back he still thinks the same. Anybody in the area want to help?

xpndbl3

iTrader: (5)

help put in a busted hose? shouldn't that take 5 minutes? and to install some starter heat shield wrap around it, or run a ford starter solenoid should be done later....why can't he drive the rest of the 5 hours home without shutting it off, or stop for a bite to eat with the hood cracked, should cool it off sufficiently to restart it while hot.

novadk13

He never drove stick before so he stalls the damn thing out in first, going to tell him after this not gonna help anymore.