I am experiencing all 3 of these on my 86 TA. I am pretty sure its running rich but can a rich condition really casue all 3 of these symptoms. (BTW By hesitation I mean its reluctant to rev until it gets to approx. 2500 rpms)

Thanks in advance for the help

 

I would check for a burnt spark plug wire or 2. This has happened to me twice, the wires layed on the headers and just cracked through.

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'86 IROC
T-TOPS, TINTED WINDOWS, BRAKE LIGHT BLACKOUTS
GM GOODWRENCH 350
EDELBROCK TES HEADERS
3" Hooker CatBack w/Aero Chamber muffler
EDELBROCK 600CFM CARB.
KN AIRFILTER
ACCEL HEI DISTRIBUTOR
160* Stat
3:73 Posi
Rebuilt 700R4
B&M Megashifter, 5" Autometer Tach w/shift lite

 

while it's idling, tap on the houseing for the MAF sensor. If the engine stumbles or dies, then you have a bad MAF sensor. This is the situation with my T/A at the moment. It's running REALLY rich (12mpg), has hesitation until 1500 or so and smokes quite a bit(not an oil smoke but you can smell the gas). So give that a try and it might solve your headache.

 

One surefire way to see if your running rich... check your gas milage... I'd say that anything less that 20 MPG and you're not running all that great.

It could be a million and 1 things, and any combination of them...

Start with the obvious... do a -complete- tune-up... if it's still doing it, come back to us with more info.

...

With that said, I will share with you some info gathered on my own experiences...

First, replace the O2 sensor. If problem persists, then continue.

What is the backfire? Is it intake or an after-fire? If it's an intake backfire, advance your timing some and look at/for vacuum leaks... if it's an after-fire, I would check over the -entire- ignition system.

Good luck.


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1985 Camaro SC - 2.8L, auto.

http://www.xenodrgn.f2s.com/Frontright.jpg

 

Thanks for the help,

Ok I solved the problem with the shaking (bad tranny mount ... duh). My idle is better now except its hesitating when I step on gas. I am POSITIVE I am running rich (my gas mileage is in the vicinity of 10mpg) and I'm pretty sure the after-fire is becasue of that too. (My car has new plugs and wires, will replace cap and rotor after setlling some tickets. I'll change the O2 while I'm at it as well)

Now my question is how do I make the car run leaner? Usually my friend has been telling me how to fix my car (pretty good job too considering I fixed a non-running car with no prior experience) but he's out of town and he neglected to mention how to set the timing so if somebody could fill in the details for me I would appreicate it.

-Max

 

Anybody?

This is a simple question 95% of people on here will know so come on don't be shy.

 

Do you have a carburetor. If so you'll have to change the rods and jets, probably be best to post it on the carburetor board.

------------------
'86 IROC
T-TOPS, TINTED WINDOWS, BRAKE LIGHT BLACKOUTS
GM GOODWRENCH 350
EDELBROCK TES HEADERS
3" Hooker CatBack w/Aero Chamber muffler
EDELBROCK 600CFM CARB.
KN AIRFILTER
ACCEL HEI DISTRIBUTOR
160* Stat
3:73 Posi
Rebuilt 700R4
B&M Megashifter, 5" Autometer Tach w/shift lite

 

No, not a carb, its an 86 LB9. Today I took the car around the block. It was about as slow as my parents Camry. I am really stumped what could be causing this. Sometimes I take it out and it runs flawless with power to spare but the next day it runs like crap. What part could casue my car to be so unreliable?