Picked up a '82 trans am crossfire with 87K miles as a summer project. Car sat for some time before I bought it, Previous owner didn't do much to it.


I already cleaned the TB's, Replaced the fuel filter and poured some cans of B12/Lucas fuel cleaners and it helped some but still runs like crap lol

Next on list is a basic (ACDELCO parts) tune up and EP241 pump upgrade. But wanted some second or 3rd opinions on what else I can do to help



Here are current issues.

Hard start needs 5 seconds or so to turn over

Idles high around 900 rpm at warmup

Oil psi stays around 60 PSI even after warm up

While driving around town it looses power sputters for 2 seconds then single POP back fire when accelerating from stop light


Any help would be appreciated



Dave

 

Tighten the bolts on the intake manifold's top plate, including the TB bolts. I'd bet they are all slightly loose.

 

Hard sterting could be fuel pressure issues. New fuel pump might fix that. Change all the vacuum lines. Erratic, high idling could be a vacuum issue. High oil pressure could be a bad sender? Try reading oil pressure on a test gauge.

 

First thanks Charlie and Vince for your input


Second, I had some free time and I took off the air cleaner and looked over the LU5 vacuum diagram and the BAM the rear driver side TBI VAC line to the MAP sensor was BADLY cracked (Original VAC line with GM PT#6148-M !!!) So went down to Autozone and grabbed 3FT line

and BAM, NO MORE SPUTTERING on acceleration, Car accelerates very good now !!!!


Hard start and rough idle(Car shakes a little) continues and tomorrow is another day of tracing down more VAC lines lol


Dave

 

After owning a CFI for over 8 years, I've realized that 90% of their drivability issues are related to vacuum leaks. Glad you found it.

 

Can you hear fuel pump prime when the key is turned to "run"? Pump should run for two seconds, then shut off.

No prime, no fuel pressure until engine has cranked over enough to build oil pressure.

The similar-year pickup trucks have an infamous problem with the oil pressure sending unit that drives the dashboard gauge. The sending units leak oil into the canister. The sending unit can read high--or low. They may be half-full of oil when you unscrew 'em, and they slosh.

If the F-body uses the same sending unit, that would be my first guess. Of course, you'll connect a mechanical pressure gauge to test the actual pressure and compare to the dash gauge.

The other possibility is that someone installed the wrong sending unit on your engine. Seems to me there's a 45-pound sending unit which would read incorrectly on a 60-pound gauge.

 

Ethanol blended gas ruins the rubber fuel line inside the tank. Mine had a hole in it leading to fuel pressure issues. My money is on the fuel pump. Do the swap and you will probably find the in tank fuel line is a mess.

Also - Crossfires have a wonderful knack of fouling out spark plugs if you do not let them warm up before driving. Try a general tune up as well with new plugs, wires, cap and rotor. That might be the shaking issue.

 

I agree Vince, It has NO pump prime sound when key on and other symptoms i'm 100% sure pump is no good or going bad. Just ordered a Delco TPI 350 EP241 pump to help that.


And I got ALL AC/Delco parts for the tune up

Rotor
Cap D336x
R45TS plugs
618F wires
$50 total with my hook ups and "resources"


Dave

 

And the fun continues................


Car was running great for a few days. Now it's dying out and throwing codes 33. 44 45


Dave

 

Do you have another ecm you could swap into it? Code 55 is ecm failure or oxygen sensor related.

 

Just an FYI, when the ECM on my '83 CFI went out, it would begin with the passenger side TB turning off intermittently. I could limp home on the other TB, but after a while that one would turn off.

Never got a code, ever. YMMV.

 

My bad I meant code 45 not 55

 

Then 2 of your codes are for 02 sensor. Might be worth it to get a new one. IIRC, they don't cost that much as it is not even a heated sensor.

 

I just checked Rock Auto and the 02 ranges in price from 10 - 13 bucks.

 

Thanks vince, Ya I checked the codes in the GM service manual, I get rock auto price match at Auto zone down road from me 00

My price $15


It helps to have "manager hook up" lol


Dave