After having numerous starting problems with the car and replacing various sensors found out that problem was bad wiring. Fixed that and got car running again but now have another problem. Car was running rough - particularly at idle- so checked a few things out including changing some vacuum hoses, when changing these found that egr solenoid valve was shot and most probably not been working for some time. Before I had my starting problems the car was overheating - changed thermostat, flushed coolant but problem continued - now thinking that EGR not working correctly may have been the problem. Anyway changed the solenoid fired the car up and still running rough but engine is getting very hot on passenger side - guage indicated temp about 190 and upper hose hot as thermostat opened. Also an ominous tapping noise from rear of engine passenger side. When compressing lower radiator hose felt some obstruction. Removed hose and found a length of thin spring about 8 inches long 1' dia inside - can't believe this is normal. Have removed water pump and it appears fine but before I start ripping the rest of the car to bits does anyone have any thoughts on what could be the problem. I have seen another post with similar problem but that was related to gaskets not having correct cut outs but the gaskets have not been touched.
Appreciate any help

Andrew

88 IROC 350 TPI

 

Hi
There may be two replies to this from me, I thought I'd done one, but it isn't there, so maybe I didn't post it properly or maybe it will turn up.

But this sounds like the distributer is on the way out. The bushings get worn and mess up the timing. You can check it with a timing light. The timing should stay steady and not wander around - providing you bypass the computer which the manual describes how to do.

The noise could be the distributer slop, the rough running caused by the slop messing up the timing.

The temperature of 190 and the spring in the lower hose is normal though. The spring is there to stop the hose collapsing when the engine cools and needs to draw in coolant from the hader tank.

 

Hi Andy
Thanks for the tip - I had checked the resistance on the pick up coil and it was ok but when I removed the distributor found the wires were worn through - ended up putting in a new distributor and after a frustrating time getting the timing right engine is running smoothly and not overheating - strange that it was only overheating on one side but anyway I now have plenty of free time to do all the jobs my wife has been asking for.

Once again thanks for the help.

 

Hi

I'm glad you sorted out the distributer. Is the engine tmperature the same in both heads now?