HamSpiced

two quick questions...

i think i have a vaccuum leak cause i get a rough inconsistant idle when im stopped. it doesnt increase when i accellerate just the RPMs jump when i am stopped at a light. i came to the conclusion it may be a vaccuum leak but after i checked i didnt see any holes or anything so how do i find a leak? i remember to find leaks in intertubes and **** to submerge it underwater but i know thats different when air is being sucked in... so what do i do?

next, is it possible a clogged fuel filter can be doing this? i assume the current fuel filter is the stock one from '89 so should i change it? how much would that run me? isit hard/messy? wheres it at?

sorry for all the questions but now that its warm i want to start knocking out these little annoying problems first. thanks again guys.

-Nick

Vader

Change the fuel filter. Check the fuel pressure. Spray carburetor cleaner or propane near the uspected vacuum leaks and monitor for RPM drops. You may want to check the injectors with a power balance test.

HamSpiced

i was hoping there was a different way to do it without gauges and stuff cause i dont have any money to buy them and i am minimal on tools.

instead of carburator cleaner could i use brake cleaner? i got a few cans of that lying around. how can i pinpoint the vaccuum leak?

thanks vader

Vader

I would be very careful with brake cleaners. Some would be safe, and some contain solvents that will attack plastic and rubber parts, like you injector 'O' rings, wire insulation, etc.

HamSpiced

alright i bought a new fuel filter now i need some help here. is there some special process in removing the old? According to my chiltons i am supposed to remove the fuel pump fuse and let the system run out of fuel. i removed two fueses that were labeled F/P and i let the car run and it ran for over 5 minutes.... i do have about a half a tank of gas but i thought if there was no power to the fuel pump it shouldnt run too long....


what do i do?

copperhead110

A cigarette will show you where air is being sucked in. Just follow the smoke.

When you first turn the key to the on position you should be able to hear the pump building up initial pressure. You may want to put those fuses back to verify what the pump sounds like.

HamSpiced

that means i gotta take up smoking....

skahide

im having the same problem with mine. i put a new fuel filter in but still is doing it. let me know when you figure it out.

HamSpiced

the fuel filter is on, the problem isnt solved, but it was still a good idea to replace it considering its age.. ive replaced two vacuum lines and have yet to test it out cause the lines i bought were a bit too big...anyways im almost 100% sure its a vac. leak.

HamSpiced

ok, i still have the problem, i cant find a vac. leak anywhere.

could it possibly be clogged injectors? would injector cleaner work? what brand.

what could be making this thing idle so jerky?

Viprklr

iTrader: (5)

I'm surprised no one has mentioned a tune up.

Dan88IrocZ

Coil wire & plug wires. I burn these mother f'ers up all the time lol.

HamSpiced

i highly doubt its plug wires, i got some 8.5 MSD wires that cost me a fortune last year. my coil is brand new along with distributor cap and rotor.

TransAm12sec

Just to check take out a spark plug and dissconnect all other wires except for the # cylinder you took out. Connect the spark plug to that wire and see if you have a spark. That won't take any tools besides a spark plug socket and a wrench.

copperhead110

Can't you check for spark at the #1 cylinder by pulling the boot off of the spark plug. If it runs crappier without the plug wire, then that cylinder had spark.

25thanniversZ

spray carb cleaner around intake base,tb base,like vader said NOT brake cleaner