2 problems..


1# im overheating like a mother, while driving. cools down while sitting idle... hu???? crazy.. things ive done to combat the problem: changed water pump, changed thermo to 180*, replaced my catalytic converter, using premixed 50/50 water mixture, 1 bottle water wetter, replaced upper radiator hose, replaced radiator, replaced radiator cap to 16lbs. my fan runs full time.
WHAT IS WRONG???

#2 problem.
when i start the car, it idles at 1000.. then drops down after 2min to 800rpm... but then i hear a clicking noise in the engine bay.. then the rpms get picked up to 1100... it drops down again.. but then as soo as it hits 850rpms.. it does it again..

what is wrong with this friggin car??? ive been working on these all weekend.. and im tired and pissed..


92 RS LO3 5 speed

 

A few things to check.

1) Make sure the air deflector directly under the bottom radiator suppport is in place and in good shape. Our cars are mainly bottom-feeders and require this air deflector.

2) Make sure that the electric fan is sucking air through the radiator and not blowing it forward. It could have the wiring reversed.

3) Check that there is no debris, leaves, shopping bags, etc. in the space between the a/c condensor and the radiator. It is something to check whenever you do an oil change. It is common for a debris to get sucked up into this area.

4) Have the radiator inspected. If it has bad mineral deposits (common if you don't use distilled water or if the radiator fluid hasn't been changed regularly). If it has plastic end caps, I'd suggest replacing it with either a new stock one or aftermarket.

Lon

 

Your fuel pump is goin out on you dude. Drop the tank, and get a new one. Do the fuel filter of course first.

 

how in the world would a fuel pump make me run hot???

 

I wondered about that also, but I assume he is referring to problem number 2.

 

Yes, in response to #2

 

ok in that case... i replaced the fuel filter.. and i found a hose comming from the intake manifold, near the distributer, in really bad shape.. i changed the hose.. and that problem went away.

but i will replace the fuel pump later on..

anyone have any suggestions on what brand? i should let you know that one day i will beef up from a 305 to a 350.. still keeping the TBI though.


dave

 

So you have an electric fan? I don't know if this applies to you, but when my car was overheating I replaced my fanclutch to a severe duty one and it made a lot of difference. You may also want to check your heater core. I've had mine re-routed and bypassed and I haven't had a heating problem since

 

dave
what hose was that? and that fixed the up-down idle?
cuz mine does that too...
only when i start it up tho after i drive its fine.

 

if you have a TBI... if you look at the very back of the intake manifold, right in front of the distributer.. there is a metal tub sticking up with a 90* bend on it.. there is a rubber tube comming off that, then goes into a T junction. it gets hot there and mine was like a wet gummie bear when i touched it.. check that.. its a vacumm line.

 

#2 problem.
when i start the car, it idles at 1000.. then drops down after 2min to 800rpm...

Sounds normal if the car is cool/cold

but then i hear a clicking noise in the engine bay.. then the rpms get picked up to 1100... it drops down again.. but then as soo as it hits 850rpms.. it does it again..

Sounds like the A/C compressor cycling on/off.

 

Electric fuel pumps usually either work or they don't work. There's generally no middle ground. When one goes bad, more often than not, it just plain gives up.

It sounds like he got his idle fixed by replacing a bad vacuum line. A high or surging idle tends to indicate a vacuum leak/problem.