Camaro_nut

HI,


OK, I have a '91 Camaro RS with the 3.1L. Once in a great
while, it stalls out when I slow down to a stop. It starts right
back up again everytime. Strange thing is, it only happens
like 2 times a month! Could it be the fuel pump? I don't think it's an ignition problem, but could be, the only thing I didn't replace in the ignition system is the stator "aka" pickup on the distributor.

Any help appreciated!!!

RealDeal

what kind of temp is it there in mass? it's sizzling here in nc, so i've been using the air conditioner a lot more. does it only stall out when the air conditioner's on, because that was the case with me. starts to shake and rattle, as you watch the rpm's drop to 0, lol. if this isn't an air conditioner sucking massive amounts of power from your engine, problem, then hopefully someone will follow up this post with more useful information. try giving your car a tune up, if you haven't recently. that seemed to take care of my problem for the most part (don't like using the a/c anyway = lots of complaining passengers)

Camaro_nut

The temp. averages about 80-90 degrees lately. I do use the A/C a lot. But I doubt that will cause my engine to stall. I have had the entire ignition done over ( All Accel parts) , only thing not replaced is the pickup in the dist. I had my throttle body cleaned, fuel filter replaced, but done like 2-3 years ago. I use rapid fire plugs in the motor. I'm beginning to think that the IAC valve maybe the cause, I don't know. Since this happens rarely, it's hard to pinpoint. I'm going to double check my throttle body, and probably take out the IAC and inspect it. If it's clogged up, then that's a possibilty. I will have to clean it out. Then maybe give it a fuel injection service while I'm at it. I never experianced the car shaking/rattling before it stalls, it stalls so quietly, that I don't notice til I try to take off, then notice that it's dead. Weird. huh?
When I slow down, it will just die like it shut off the ignition.


P.S. A custom intake??? Like a CAI??? Can you help me out on that, I would like to know how to make one for my car.

RealDeal

that is weird... just stalls, huh? the problems probably deeper than i can give you advice with, but i can help you out with the intake. i'm sure if you ran a search you'd get a ton of info on this, but i'll try and save you some time. you need a conical air filter (recomment k&n, despite the fact that i'm using a tenzo, ), next visit your local home depot and pick up some 3 in pvc piping (probably gonna have to be cut to size), then get two pipe connectors (big black rubber tubes with clamps on either side) it'd be good if you can find an elbow connector. anyway... the rest should be self explanatory. remove everything you've got in there already, except for the section leading directly into the throttle body. now, you get to really appreciate your '91, because you don't have to deal with the mass airflow sensor. that's it!!! it may not be cold air, but it's more air.... if you really want cold air, try building some sort of head resistant box around the filter, and try to run some piping up from the passenger wheel well. i didn't do this...... yet .... but just thought i'd let you know about it.
here's mine:


entire post dealing with this:
https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=119719

Camaro_nut

Hi RealDeal,


Thanks for the info on that air induction setup! I think I will
be doing the same thing to mine! As far as the stalling, since
it's only a "rare" occasion, I'll have to do a little "work" on it
day by day. Like fuel filter, fuel injection service, recheck my
throttle body, and inspect my IAC valve for clogging. All this
stuff is the easiest to start with.

I was originally going to install the TPI dual snorkel setup with K and N filters for my car, but this could run up to like over $100
for this setup.( $26 each filter, about $50-70 for induction on Ebay).

So I think I'll go with just a single cone K and N filter for like about $20-$30, and stop at my local Home Depot for the other stuff ( like $20 total?). This is WAY cheaper , plus will have that "custom" look to it.

I will also build a "heat resistant" box around the filter, so It will
really look like those cold air induction setups that they sell for the 93-2002 F bodies that sell for like $300!!!!!

Thanks for everything! Now I can't wait to build one!!!!!!

RealDeal

awesome! take some pics when you're done so i can take a look see... goodluck, and enjoy your 40 (if even) dollar, intake.

Camaro_nut

RealDeal,

Have you noticed a differance on the performance part of it?
By the way, Summit has a 3" diameter flange round style K AND N filter for like $36. I think there's two different ones. One has a 5" diameter, the other a 6" diameter. The price differance is only about $1. It claims to have about 900 cfm of air flow through them! That's pretty damn good!

Check it out here:
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=27049


P.S. Will PCV pipe give any problems? Like heat, smell, melting,
stuff like that? I saw one article where a guy used this setup for just a "trial fit". Then had an exhaust shop bend a 3" exhaust pipe to fit. Then he painted it. Is it worth the extra $60-$70 to do that? Let me know how yours is holding up!

Thanks.

RealDeal

i've had mine on for atleast 3 months... absolutely no problems. i've never heard of any problems resulting from the piping. i imagine that with it not being metal, it might even have a better chance at staying cool while air flows through it in that boiler room engine bay, hehe. i'd save the money, personally. might look nice appearance wise though..... so i guess it all comes down to your preference.... i know, a lot of help i am, right?

WaynesRS

did you use heat sink greece when you installed your new ignition module ?

Ryan_Alswede

IT has to be one of two things ignition module or IAC (idle air control valve) mine use to do that and it was the IAC. Both parts can die with out setting a code, I found that out the hard way because it would never set a code, just die.

redraif

Mine ran pretty rough till we rebuilt the dist. It had been know to search for idle and shake when it was idling. Even after we replaced everything else including the throttle position sensor and the idle control valve. We rebuilt the dist and rechecked the timing and problem solved. We believe my balancer walked and the timing read 10, but really was not. We advanced it up to 14 before the car ran right. Still on 87 octane with no pinging.

firebirdgirl_87

Camaro_nut hello, my car does the same thing only it's just gotten worse, does it all the time now. if you figure it out let me know, I posted here earlier, and I'm looking for some answers also...

Camaro_nut

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all the info and stuff!!!!

I really appreciate it!!!

Here's what I've done to the car to eliminate this problem:

Everything new: ( or replaced in the last two years,
which is only about 15,000 miles)

Accel 8.8mm wires ( With heat resistant sleeves!)
Accel coil
Accel cap/rotor
Accel Ignition module ( Yes, I used the grease on it.)
I replaced the module about two weeks ago.

AC Delco rapid fire plugs ( cleaned/regapped last year)
Timing checked and set at 14 degrees
because I have a HyperTech streetrunner chip
running 93 octane ( recommended with chip)
K and N filter cleaned
O2 sensor replaced
The fuel filter HAS been replaced, but like 4 years ago,
roughly 15,000-20,000 miles on it. I don't drive my car in the
winter.

Next things I may do to correct this problem:

Inspect/ clean IAC, if neccesary.
Perform a fuel injection service ( Recommend everyone
to do that every 60,000 miles or 4 years.)
Inspect/ clean Throttle body, have not cleaned it in like two
years.
Replace the fuel filter.


It's been like three weeks now since the last time it stalled!
It always idles very good!
Starts up fine.

This problem never sets a code.

And because it never sets a code, it's harder to figure out,
have to due a "process of elmination".

I doubt it would be a fuel pump, because it would do it more often WITH more drivability issues, I.E., hard start, cranks/no start, stalling constantly, lack/loss of power,etc.

I think it might be one or more of the above things that I listed, which is what most of you guys had though of as well.


Anyway, If I find and correct this problem, I'll you people know!

Thanks.
camaro_nut

:rockon:

Camaro_nut

RealDeal,

Hey, you did help me on that! You are a big help!
Your helping me get this custom Air Intake done
right! Plus with your experiance, I know that it
will work. I'm going to buy a KandN filter this weekend.
Along with the 3" PVC pipe and connectors. After that is in and working, then I will make and "housing" for it,to help cold air in!
I don't know, kind of material I should use? Like plastic or sheet metal???

I forgot, with size drill hole do I need to screw in the
air temp. sensor? Was it 5/8" ????

Later.

slayer2000

iTrader: (1)

could it be your egr valve? My old 2.8 would do the same thing especially after a hard stop. Turned out the base of my egr was so rusted it broke. Every time the egine ran you could watch the valve rotate back and forth a few degrees. After I replaced it I never had that problem again.

Camaro_nut

slayer2000,

Thanks for that info. I don't think it's the egr valve, visually
checked it anyway. Looks solid, I also replaced the gasket
on it not too long ago. So the inside looked fine. Nothing
clogged up or anything. But that doesn't mean it can't still
be the valve. It could still be "sticking" causing my problem
with the car. But, for now, no problems yet! Has been almost
a month without any stalling or drivability problems! I think that's
so weird to act that way!

Later!

sublime7880

Mine does the exact same thing!! It is getting progresivley worse. the other day i made a hard stop and she died right away. this time she didn't start back up like usual... well today i was testing various things and just for laughs i tried starting her... she started right up!! ahhhhhh why!!!!!

Ryan_Alswede

sublime7880 it's your IAC (idle air control) just get a new one and it will be fine.

Camaro_nut

Yeah, I think's it the IAC too. Very possible. It's know to happen on "older" style ( 1984-1993) GMs!!! My Grandmother's car ( a 1987 Chevy Celebrity, 2.8L ) Has a similar problem, but It's sets the check engine light on ( only at idle). The idle seemed high too.
So I checked for codes, and had a code for IAC malfunction. So I removed and inspected the valve. It was clogged up, so I cleaned it out. Put it back in, started it up, ran ok for a while, but light came back on and the high idle appeared again. So now I'll just replace it.

Laters..........

Camaro_nut

Oh Yeah....

I STILL don't have anymore stalling either!!!!

Here's what I've done to the car after the above list in this post:


Performed fuel injector service
( includes cleaning throttle body, intake, intake valves and
combustion chambers, and a fuel system additive to the tank).

Replaced fuel filter.

Also replaced my factory air intake with a custom built 3" PVC
piping with an open element K and N filter. ( just for added
performance...and YES it does work! )


Laters........

Project: 85 2.8 bird

yeah, the IAC. Just finished reading an article in a back issue of High Performance Pontiac on troubleshooting/maintenance for EFI Ponchos. It says that the IAC & back of throttle butterfly can get all coked up from the crap from the egr. This stuff will build up & eventually clog up the IAC. So, don't forget to "wash behind your ears" (clean behind the throttle body).

sublime7880

well i pulled out my iac last night and it's broken..... when i unscrewed it from the tbi the shaft and spring shot out, the shaft hasn't even been connected to the soleniod. im going to replace it today and see if my situation improves....... thanks for your help!!!

Ryan_Alswede

YEP what i tell you!! LOL just put in a new one, IT WILL BE a few days before the computer re-learns where the pintle is and how to adjust it but by next week you should be in GREAT SHAPE.

MX265

Awsome timing on this post. About 5 months ago, I had a brand new L03 installed with a full tune-up (what I presume to be full). New plug wires, cap, rotor, etc. I don't beleive they swapped teh ignition module. I have always experienced this problem before and after the new engine went in. At least once a week, she just dies at a light. It starts right back up though. I think maybe it is time to check my IAC. Oh yea, no codes are being thrown either. So it looks like you folks have saved me another few hundred bucks.

Thanks,
Andy

TomP

IAC cleaning: https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...iac+passageway

pontiacguy1

I've got a 1992 Firebird 3.1 liter auto, and I was having the same problem. Sometimes when i would let off the gas to turn in somewhere, it would die. Also, when it was cold, it would search around before finally settling on an idle speed. I changed the IAC valve, and cleaned all the soot out of the port, and it hasn't done it since. That was about 18 months ago. Hope that you get it fixed. Man, what a pain to be turning in somewhere or stopping at a light, and then your power steering and power brakes just go out on you! I nearly hit someone once because of that. Well, that and I was going faster than I should have.

Ryan_Alswede

pontiacguy1 good to hear it, yep that IAC does it everytime.

Sad but it's dangerous and there should be a RECALL but you know how government and bean connters are. They will never make a part that lasts.

pontiacguy1

Yep, all parts made by the lowest bidder. Well, I can't really fault GM for that one too much, since the car had about 135K miles on it, and was about 8 years or more old. The biggest problem I have had is that I have had to change the starter solenoid about 3 times. It gets so that it doesn't engage every time, and it is annoying and humiliating to me to have to sit there and hear the starter click three or four times before it will jump in and turn the engine over.

Ryan_Alswede

What you need is the HEAT SHIELD that they put on the starters on the 3.4L engines. I plan to get one when I can get some time. Thats the problem on our camaros, the exhaust cooks the solonoid. Like I all ways say, owning a camaro is a "Labor of Love" If you didn't like your car it would be sold and gone for the amount of parts it eats.

havoc.111570

I am having the same problem. My 1992 rs 3.1 v6 only does it after starting to warm up. Then every stop it idles erratically and or stalls. Starts back up. Also if left idling it will die after stoping. Checked for vacuum leaks: none. Replaced IAC: still does it. What now? Fuel filter only 1 month old. Runs fine when first cranked up!

backgammon7

fuel pump maybe? also, this thread is nine years old. it's long dead.

havoc.111570

how do you make new ones

backgammon7

Click the "new thread" button at the top left of the thread list block. Go back to the v6 forum and look.