I have a 91 camaro with a 305 out of an 89 camaro. (As far as I know there isn't much difference, if any between a 89 and 91 305). The car has an intermittent problem that is really frustrating. Basically I will be driving it and it will be fine and then all of a sudden I loose almost all acceleration. It is hard to describe but when it is acting up I step on the gas and it goes but just barely and the rpms are sporadic. When I am trying to accelerate they do not steadily go up but kind of waver between amounts. Also when stopped it will either idle high, at about 2000 rpms, or low jumping between 100 and 600-700 and will sometimes stall out. Again this problem isn't consistent sometimes it will kick out for a few seconds or minute or two other times it goes out for longer. Usually after it has been acting up for a while it will through me a code 44.

I have replaced the O2 sensor and that didn't work. I took the car into a shop when it was acting up. They replaced the starter (without my consent claiming that it needed to be replaced to begin working on the car.) and replaced a spark plug because it had gone bad. They ran some other tests and believed that it is a valve problem. But i don't think that is right and did not have them go any further.

I do not know much about cars at all and am trying to learn more. My dad is no car expert but knows much more that I do. He is suppose to help me check the vacuum lines and the rotor and cap tomorrow.

Has anyone had a similar problem or have any suggestions on what to check and/or replace? Also any tips for checking for vacuum leaks would be appreciated.

 

i would remove the 02 sensor and put a guage in the hole and rev the engine. if more than 1.5 psi then you have a clog in your cat most likely. if its the original cat than that is your most likely cause of your trouble. the shop that you took it to should have replaced all 8 plugs and then a full tune up. valve problems dont come and go. it really sounds like a vacuum problem (exhaust clog will affect engine vacuum) that the map sensor is "seeing" and the ecm is trying to adjust for.

 

Thank you for the advice rocko350. I haven't had a chance to get to the car yet but that is where I will start. Hopefully the cat is the problem because it does not seem to difficult to replace. Please excuse the possible stupid question but what kind of gauge do I need?

 

a vacuum guage that also reads up to 20 psi. autozone may have one, if not then a MAC man will (mine is a MAC). you will need an 02 sensor bung plug that you can drill and tap to use in the 02 sensor hole.

 

Replace your fuel filter. I had the exact same symptoms on my 1988 tbi suburban and it took me forever to figure out what it was...a dam $8.99 fuel filter

 

The fuel filter was one of the first things I replaced and it unfortunately didn't work.
Right now i cant do anything with the car because it is in at a chevy dealership. I found on this site that my car had a safety recall dealing with the gas tank. I took it in and hopefully after inspection they will find that it has the problem and will be fixed for free.

 

So I am still having this problem but it doesn't seem to be happening as often. I took my car into one shop for a free exhaust inspection. They looked at it and everything looked visually good. Because of prices I didn't have them do anything else. I was then about to have the Catalytic converter replaced. The place I took it for this I talked to the guy there and he told me this was probably not my problem. He looked at the cat and said it wasn't the factory one and that it was a monolithic converter. He suggested that it might be my EGR Valve or maybe a sensor. I am really at a lost because I hate to replace several different parts but with the way this problem is I cant really take it anywhere because it will most likely not act up for them. Any suggestions?

 

the oe cat is a monolithic conerter, the aftermarket ones are better,but did he check for back preassure or put a vacuum gauge on the engine? its a very basic and easy thing to do. a chilton manual will have a very good description on how to do this test. you can do it yourself in about 10 minutes. go spend the 20.00 buks on the manual and another 20 on a good gauge that will always be usefu.