MakeitQuick92RS

iTrader: (1)

It seems that every time I fix something a new problem comes up. Ok these are my symptoms. I got rough Idle, Surging while I brake from about 700-1500 then goes normal and the rough Idle starts. Noticed the car was getting hotter than normal too. The thermostat is a 180* stat and I noticed it was running at about 220* when standing still. So what do you guys think it could be?

To sum up again Surging while braking, and rought Idle, and car gets hotter than normal. Collant level is normal and radiator fan is working.

Thanks in advance for any help.

P.S
I also have a little loss of power when the car warms up.

eric17422001

I suspect your idle air control, or IAC as it is called. Do a search on it. They get carboned up from the EGR and some times you need to remove it from the throttle body, and use something small like a pipecleaner and some carb spray and clean the bore in the throttle body out- then clean the needle or pintle whatever it's called on the IAC itself.

When they get carboned up they stick slightly and then the ecm tries to compensate and give it more air, so the idle gets erratic.

As far as the temparature 220 idling in traffic is not overheating at all- I don't think the ECM even switches the fan on until then.
Stock thermostat is 190 or so.

A thermostat does not necessarily control how hot the engine runs- it only controls at what point it directs the coolant into the radiator. The temp it runs at is determined by the effieciency of the radiator/cooling fans.

KED85

VERY correction answers.
Fan turns on at 220* & shuts off at 200*
Yes could be "carbon build up" or multiple other "things".
Serious, it's time to start searching for all/any clues.
Heck even a bad vacuum hose can cause the sputter problem.
Lack of power HELL IT'S A 2.8 LOL!!
No serious, a good examination of POS (Previous Owner Syndrome!) can be the solution to many problems.
Where ya start is all up to your knowledge of "causes".
One simple solution is to open hood at night time, in dark to MAKE SURE you NOT have spark plug wire shorting! That would show by lightening on the plug wires. Only "seen" at night time & in dark.
AND YEP any time ya touch/fix one problem yes another appears. What ya want the car is 20 years old! Maybe it's time for a lot of attention that previous owners never gave car!
Why it's called POS ya know (see above!!) and that's why they got rid of old car.
Keep at it, tho. You can cure most/many/ALL ills.
Time/money/SPARE CAR! help.

FAST RS

The surging could be from a Vac leak from the powerbooster to the intake manafold. Check the valve for any leaks at the powerbooster the rubber groumet gets worn out i just had to wiggle mine some and that fixed the problem. Also try resetting the computer.

2_point8_boy

Don't toss the car yet. It'll work out, it just takes time. I've had my car for 3 years and I am JUST NOW getting the smaller problems worked out. It's been very reliable and just passed California Smog with double digit numbers, well below maximums, and that's with 229K HARD MILES. It just takes time and patience. Our cars are old and the people who sold them to us usually don't take care of them, they are the gas-and-go types. Keep at it and you'll fix almost everything. Don't worry.

I work at a smog shop and whenever I see an erratic idle, it's VACUUM LEAK, VACUUM LEAK, VACUUM LEAK!!! That's where to start. Even a small one can cause a BIG problem.

MakeitQuick92RS

iTrader: (1)

Just wanted to thank all of you that helped. I cleaned the TPS, IAC, and replaced some vacuum line that looked really bad...let me give you a mental picture, I would touch the hose and it disintegrated in my hand...not good times, well replaced and cleaned all that stuff and the car is running like a million bucks.

Thanks again

KED85

I once spent a whole day on vacuum leaks.
You got off easy!
GREAT GOING another F Body LIES AGAIN!!!