I recently purchased a 1987 camaro v6, and im just wondering what might have caused my problem. I was driving home tonight and found that all the sudden i lost power and my engine light came on. After about 2 minutes it went off and all was well. I got home and looked under the car to find half the pipe and the entire catalytic conv. was bright red. I know that i need to replace all fluids, new spark plugs, some anti freeze and just get it over with, but could that be something more? Should i replace the o2 sensors, cooling system etc.? Like i said im new to camaros and i wanted to know for a car thats been in a garage for probably years, and for it to be brought back out on the road, what should i do to get it back to pristine running condition?

Thanks,
my first post btw

Seth

 

realize this should have been in the Tech/Engine thread that helps with problems like these. Apologies

 

A glowing converter is usually a sign that you're blowing raw fuel into your exhaust which then ignites in the converter and overheats it. Your catalyst bed is a heap of molten slag now.

Pull the codes and see what the computer was complaining about first.

 

Where would be the best place to take it? Live in a small town.

 

Take it for what?

 

I dont know what you mean by codes. Ive never been taught this stuff dude. hahaha. Do i take it to a shop and they hook it up or what?

 

You do it yourself with a paperclip. Searching will turn up a few hundred threads about it.

 

i was going to tell you to beat the converter internals out but i might get slayed by someone on here lol!

 

No, you don't need to take it in to have anyone scan it. You can do it yourself, simple.

https://www.thirdgen.org/service-eng...ht-error-codes

Seriously, just take a paperclip and short out the two pins, and count the flashes. Since you have an '87, it might be pin 6 and 12. Anyway, just read the tutorial from the above link. It's rather simple.