Need Help with old '91 Firebird - Problems!
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Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 121
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From: Cleves, OH
Car: 1987 Pontiac Firebird 82k miles
Engine: 2.8 V-6 (173 c.i.)
Need Help with old '91 Firebird - Problems!
Hi everyone, I'm new here, this looks like a really cool place to hang out with other third-gen guys!
I recently bought an old used up 1991 Firebird, 3.1 V-6, 168,000 miles, T-Tops, Black, gray interior... It's a real cool ride, this is my first car, but certainly won't be my last third generation F-Body! I really want a 1982-1984 Trans Am.
Anyways, my car ran fine for the first few months I owned it. About two months ago everything started to go wrong. I have had a new water pump installed, distributor, alternator, and a new exhaust system which sounds loud and shakes the car. Right now the Firebird idles very rough, the highest it goes is 800 RPM's and the lowest is 300 RPM's. It runs worse when the car is in drive or reverse. When I'm going about 20-30 mph the car starts kicking back and chugging. On take off it feels like it's missing the power until I get up to speed. Some days the power is there, somedays it isn't. There is also a loud noise coming from the engine under the car on the passenger side.
People have told me that I have a hole in my exhaust, and I'm leaking rear end fluid. My question is, do those two problems cause the problems I described... lack of power, idles rought etc...?
It's pretty sad when your buddies '88 4cyl 250,000 mile Cavalier wagon running on 3 cylinders can outrun a V-6 Firebird, even when I have the peddel floored.... LOL
Thanks for any help! Joey
I recently bought an old used up 1991 Firebird, 3.1 V-6, 168,000 miles, T-Tops, Black, gray interior... It's a real cool ride, this is my first car, but certainly won't be my last third generation F-Body! I really want a 1982-1984 Trans Am.
Anyways, my car ran fine for the first few months I owned it. About two months ago everything started to go wrong. I have had a new water pump installed, distributor, alternator, and a new exhaust system which sounds loud and shakes the car. Right now the Firebird idles very rough, the highest it goes is 800 RPM's and the lowest is 300 RPM's. It runs worse when the car is in drive or reverse. When I'm going about 20-30 mph the car starts kicking back and chugging. On take off it feels like it's missing the power until I get up to speed. Some days the power is there, somedays it isn't. There is also a loud noise coming from the engine under the car on the passenger side.
People have told me that I have a hole in my exhaust, and I'm leaking rear end fluid. My question is, do those two problems cause the problems I described... lack of power, idles rought etc...?
It's pretty sad when your buddies '88 4cyl 250,000 mile Cavalier wagon running on 3 cylinders can outrun a V-6 Firebird, even when I have the peddel floored.... LOL
Thanks for any help! Joey
Supreme Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,743
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From: heartland
Car: 89rs (previous 2.8)
Engine: 406
Transmission: 700r4 (for now)
Welcome to the boards!!!
How long since the car has been tuned up? Plugs, wires, cap, ignition module.fuel filter...an exhaust leak sounds bad....but wont cause what you are describing...I would look at a good tune-up first, then go from there....Sounds like you have your work cut out for ya ...good luck. Get a Hayne or Chiltons manual, they are alot of help..
How long since the car has been tuned up? Plugs, wires, cap, ignition module.fuel filter...an exhaust leak sounds bad....but wont cause what you are describing...I would look at a good tune-up first, then go from there....Sounds like you have your work cut out for ya ...good luck. Get a Hayne or Chiltons manual, they are alot of help..
Supreme Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 18,457
Likes: 16
From: Loveland, OH, US
Car: 4
Engine: 6
Transmission: 5
Right, start with a tune up: spark plugs, dist cap, rotor, maybe wires.
Sounds like you may have fuel issues though, possibly a clogged injector, dirty fuel filter (should really be part of a tune-up anyway); but start by getting the ignition system renewed, and go from there.
Loud noise from pass side sounds like an exhaust leak.
Sounds like you may have fuel issues though, possibly a clogged injector, dirty fuel filter (should really be part of a tune-up anyway); but start by getting the ignition system renewed, and go from there.
Loud noise from pass side sounds like an exhaust leak.
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