Ok so ive (with the help of some of the members here) been fixing up my 1990 RS 5.0 TBI automatic camaro, so far the work done is:

-Replaced Distributor Cap and Rotor
-Changed Spark Plugs and Wires (correct gap)
-Changed Oil and Filter
-Replaced PCV Breather Element
-Ran Sea Foam (wasnt able to get the car to bog down enough to die, not sure if i did it right, used the vac line going from the intake to the TB)
-Set timing to around 16* (seems to run fine here but maybe because of another problem?)
-Replaced Battery
i might be missing something, i checked the PCV vac hose for vac and it was sucking, and the PCV rattled as it should, the engine seems to be running fairly well so im not sure if there is really much left to do, although i would like to make sure all the vac lines are correct but im pretty confident that they are ok... here are the remaining issues

1. the car seems dog slow... when you punch it, it seems like it shifts down but the car doesnt go anywhere, it sounds like its working harder but the car doesnt really accelerate all that much... it does go faster but not very quickly...

also, it doesnt seem to want to shift out of first very fast, it seems to take it a long time when flooring it... otherwise it seems to shift pretty well... i have heard stuff about a TV cable, but im unsure what it is and how to "check" it... if anyone could tell me that would be great!!

another problem is that when i give it a good deal of gas from a stop, i can feel a pop under the car, in the middle towards the rear, like maybe a tranny mount is broken or something... like its poping out of place under the stress and then back again, but i have no real way of seeing whats going on...

also, the car smells pretty strong, gives you a headache if u idle for a long time but its not a real strong gas odor, its like lots of exhaust gasses... im not sure but it gives me a headache more than it should... i think maybe theres an exhaust leak under the cabin thats leaking inside that im breathing? the muffler has rusty holes eaten through it so it wouldnt suprise me (i bought this car for 250 bucks, the exterior is pretty sorry looking)


any responses on any of these things would be greatly appreciated, i also bought a fuel filter that i havent installed yet...

my main goal for this car is to get it smogged (and pass) so i can register it and drive it around town every now and then and eventually sell it after i fix up the exterior a little bit...

is there a list of things i should check/replace for smogging purposes? and what should i set the timing to? should it be at 16-18*? that seems kinda high but ive heard that v8s like timing... and also it idles around 2k rpm when i first start it, then it slows down to about 1300 after a minute or so...

thank you so much in advance!!!

 

Checked for exhaust restriction? Compression?

 

16 deg is too much timing IMO. Not sure for the TBI cars, but I think most TPI the starting point is 6 deg. BTDC.

If it were me, I'd set everything to "stock" settings, what ever they are, until I was convinced all systems are go, then start tweaking...

TV cable adjustment is pretty critical from what I understand. I've been told, whether or not it's true, that incorrect TV adjustment can ruin your tranny.

The procedure in my OEM service manual is to release the TV cable lock, then rotate the throttle linkage to full open so the TV cable ratchets to the correct setting. I'm sure you can find the exact process by searching this board's tech tips.

 

oh yeah i did a compression test, the numbers were all COLD but here they are.

1 = 195 PSI
3 = 189 PSI
5 = 194 PSI
7 = 197 PSI

2 = 200 PSI
4 = 195 PSI
6 = 187 PSI
8 = 182 PSI

and i dont know wabout the exhaust restriction, what do you mean by that, i tried banging the cat to hear if it rattles but it sounds pretty normal, the car has 136k (probably more, carfax says that it had inaccurate odo readings... so im guessing that i twas tampered with so... yeah, is it possible to detach catalytic converter from the y pipe and take the rest of the exhaust off to see if it changes anything (other than volume of course haha), maybe if it runs better i know there is blockage in the muffler?, or possibly the cat?

thanks guys!

 

maybe you got a bad injector or something

 

ok... this is very strange...

i readjusted the TV cable and went for a test drive, while that didnt seem to have fixed much (maybe shifting a little bit but i coudlnt tell from just driving it) but on the way back, i floored it and right when it shifted, there was a huge explosion out the back of the car, i looked back and all there is is this huge smokey cloud with chunks all over the ground, i went back and it smelled so horrible, i thing that Ive identified the chunks as a dead rat.... i almost threw up but the car runs a million times better!!!!

wow... what a story car... bullets under the back seats with a some old school rap cassette tape, what looks like blood under the carpet in the trunk, exploding dead rats out the exhaust pipe... wow...just wow...


ok so im going to set the timing back down to 12* also the car seems to be trying to move really hard, probably due to the timing being so high and the idle high as well.. thanks guys!!!!! any more suggestions? i think i might cut off the exhaust from the beginning of the cat -back, so running open y pipe, think this will be too loud? i am just driving it around my own property for now, i will have to put a new muffler on it afterwards before i can get it smogged and inspected obviously but i can just have some shop weld it up real fast with a new cat ( im sure the cat is bad if its stock lol)

 

you know what is pretty ironic? Your cat probably stopped the rat



I guess it was a exhaust blockage afterall LOL.


I'd set your timing back to stock specs. Then go buy a cat-back from a place suggested in the exhaust boards (I have a Hooker cat-back and love it ).


Open Y-pipe on a stock motor sounds like horse dung btw, but in your shoes I wouldnt blame you for cutting it before the cat (atleast quiet it down a little and get rid of a little of the raspiness.

So glad you got it all figured out

 

Speaking of bullets and rap tapes...

when i got my car their was a 2L pop bottle 1/2 full of .22 shells in the back hatch compartment, .22 shells scattered in the ashtray and console and a tupac cd in the cd player.

I think we bought gangster cars lol

 

Rather inventive way to check for (and solve) the exhaust restriction.

And those are very good compression numbers for an engine with that kind of mileage. Whatever you're doing to maintain it, keep it up.

Gotta wonder just what went through the rat's mind as it was being ejected - A chunk or carbon? Eyeballs? Hot gasses? Guess it doesn't matter now...

I hope you didn't feel the need to clean it up.

EDIT/ADDENDUM:

On the positive side, in the process of tracking down the problem, you have performed a lot of routine maintenance. Don't let it slide. Get the rest of the maintenance items current, and you should have a fairly reliable ride.

 

yeah i am going to unbolt as much of the exhaust as i can to check it all for blockage, maybe pour water into it and see if it comes right out, lol or a flash light to the catalytic converter to see if the comb is all blocked up...

what else is there for me to check? can i take out and clean the injectors somehow? i am not sure what to do next..... thanks again everyone

 

ok so i sawed off everything after the y pipe, it sounds ok lol, not bad...
um ther was this metal pipe running to the catylitic converter... was that an o2 sensor? cause i sawed that off too, i only sawed off the 3" or so that was coming out of the cat, the rest of it is dangling there. there was a ton of black crap coming out of the exhaust and the muffler had holes and cracks all in it... i think it was a good thing that i took it off, cause the car does seem to run a tad better, seems stronger.. i still need to adjust the timing


what should i set it to? 6*? or 8*.. it seems to run not so good at lower *s oh well, anything else i should check? im going to change out the fuel filter next.... kinda running out of ideas on what to try to make this car pass smog... please help!!

 

A new exhaust (atleast high flow cat and cat-back to replaced the sawwed off pieces) should get you right through there.


I strongly suggest changing your transmission fluid, as well as rear differential fluid. You can never be sure when (or even IF) it was done, so might as well get a good knowledgeable base. I'd also suggest getting some AMSOIL, or Royal Purple, or Mobile 1 gear lubricant (GL5 grade... though all of these brands conform to GL4 and GL5 with their gear lubricants).

if you have a manual, then depending on what manual you have, you can either use ATF, or gear lubricant.

With a automatic you just use Mercon3 grade (the regular run of the mill), unless you try synthetic, but I dont know how that would react with the torque converter which was probably made for regular stuff?


Anyhow, the rear diff, and transmission always seem to get overlooked until they are getting rebuilt!

 

Dont feel bad about the rat in the exhaust... I bought an 83 Camaro Berlinetta for parts that smelled like the rat was in the passenger compartment, not the exhaust (sucks because other than really stinking, the interior was in mint condition).

The metal tube that you cut off going to the cat was the A.I.R. tube. This tube connects to a pump that injects air into the cat to heat it up more/faster so it works better. If you have smog testing, I would hook it back up to the new cat, better chance of passing.

Also, buy a good cat. A more expensive one will clean the exhaust better (back to passing that smog test) and will flow good enough to not make much of a difference on the dyno.

 

thanks sellmanb, ill change those out as my next maint. item

i hacked off the exhaust and it sounds all throaty haha, i also set the timing to 10* advance, should this be alright? it seems to run pretty good. i think the TV cable is still not adjusted right, i adjusted it but when i floor it, the car does nothing, but if i let out just a smidgen on the gas, the car kicks into WOT, so i think the cable is off a little too much or too little..

ill have to have a buddy rev the engine and see if maybe the engine mounts are broken if the engine twists a lot...

i will be getting a catback installed with a new cat after i finish up the fluid replacement and the TV adjustment, and the fuel filter swap.. i think its coming to an end guys!!!! smog test isnt too far away! thanks to everyone for the help, couldnt have done it without you guys!

 

I about fell out of my chair when I read about the rat LOL! One thing I would suggest is replacing your transmission mount with an Energy Suspension trans mount. You mentioned some clunking when shifting and it sounds like you might have a broken mount. They split in two when broken but from outwards appearances will look fine. Just get underneath and push/ pry up on the trans near the mount and you'll see very clearly if it is broken. I replaced mine twice times with a stock rubber trans mount before I upgraded.

 

ok so new question, the car for some reason

1. takes a while to start if it was left for a few days
2. always eventually starts, but then seems to idle at like 2k to 2500 rpm...
3. when you rev it, unless you push the pedal really slow, it stutters and bogs down like its getting too much gas or misfiring or something...

any ideas? this is all in PARK or Neutral, if you put it into gear the rpms drop down to 10k or so but if you floor it too fast the whole car bogs, if youpress the pedal gradually, it will accelerate

 

Sounds as if you should start looking for vacuum leaks. High idle, lean tip-in, no power, hard starting - Sounds classic.

 

best bet us to take some WD40 and spray it around the vacuum lines. You should be able to find the leak fairly quick that way.

When it finds the leak the motor will bog down.

 

awesome thanks, ill definately do that, and then tranny and diffy fluid as well as a tranny/engine mount check

i did replace the fuel filter today, the car seems to not bog down now, ill have to let it cool off for a day and try to start again, it seems to rev a lot more nicely now. ill try the WD test thanks!

 

ok so i replaced the tranny mount and that popping noise is gone, i can now floor it from a stop with no problems, nice open y pipe screaming, chirps the tires going into second gear!

and the tires arent that bald hahaha

now the only problem is that dang high idle and difficulty starting... I assume that i shouldnt have to pump the gas to get the engine to start right?

i checked for leaky injectors too but i dont think they are... im going to try changing the diffy fluid, i looked at the tranny fluid and it looks ok/doesnt smell burnt or anything.

Also, i sprayed wd40 around the connections of the vac lines but didnt notice anything from the engine.... is it obvious when it sucks in the wd40? and do i spray liberally to where its dripping off or just lightly drench it? i just sprayed it on the joints and connections, should i be soaking all of every hose?

whew, thanks again you guys, i am about 90% complete with getting the camaro ready to be smogged! this is great progress!!

i just need a new cat and muffler

and then i need to figure out this high idle problem...

 

Sounds about like my car, especially problem #1. It won't downshift when I punch it or if it does it takes a long time. Mine will hardly idle, especially after I've been driving it for a few minutes and I try to leave it in gear. Mine will not spin the tires on pavement. And when I punch it in rocks and it catches traction I hear a clunking noise and sometimes it feels like something hits my floorpan, pretty good indication that I need a new trans mount, eh? How much was your new trans mount?

 

BTW, is this the trans mount you were talking about? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Energ...QQcmdZViewItem

 

that looks very similar to it so yeah probably. i recognize the holes and stuff... just be sure to have the tranny jacked up when you replace it... i didnt and when i unbolted the second bolt of the crossmember on one side it all fell down on me... so keep the jck under it

and when ur jacking up the shaft, be sure to not let the shaft be pulled to one side (since jacks dont raise straight up) otherwise the holes will be slightly off and itll be impossible to thread the bolts. GOODLUCk!


ok so i found that the gasket between the TB and the intake manifold was totally shot, i sprayed carb cleaner onto an area where they mate together and i could hear it suck in the carb cleaner and then bog down, so i got a new gasket and replaced that, i ran out of carb cleaner so im getting 3 more cans today (i wnt through two cans yesterday... haha) no other vac leaks that i can find. but the car still idles high

when i fist start it up it idles around 2k rpms, then it slowly drops down to 1.5k... when i took off the air cleaner, i plugged up the one hose that goes to the air cleaner and the rpms stayed around 1.5k always

i also found some sort of leak from a hardline coming from the bottom of the radiator, the fluid is orange/red and drips pretty good (one drip per minute i'd say) and the coolant reservoir is pretty damn nasty, looks like a thin layer of red mud inside it...

someone said it might be the tranny fluid if the radiator has a section of it that cools the tranny fluid, itll probably be an easy fix, just take off the hose and put it back on with the clamp correctly, worst case scenario is the hose is cracked and needs to be replaced right?

is our coolant generaly red or green?


also, over by the driver side i found the relay bracket, and there is a lot of hacked up wiring over there, a purple wire is cut, a red one i think, and there is a plug with one green wire coming out of it that i dont know where it attaches to!

my engine also threw a check engine light and last night i disconnected the batery while i did the TB gasket to clear the computer. the light didnt stay on and i couldnt get it to come back on letting it idle this morning so im not sure what it was for but maybe it was nothing..

what do i do now guys? i guess i found the only vac leak and fixed it, ill check it for sure with carb cleaner tonight and spray more around the bay but i dont think theres any more leaks...

BTW i replaced quite a few of the hoses with new rubber hose (a lot of the other hoses were the hard plastic kind, and a few were melted/cracked) so i replaced them with new hose, but the new stuff seems quite a bit thicker, this shouldnt have any effect right?

ugh, car stil idling high, and i always smell like **** when i drive it for a minute or so, even working on it while idling, maybe thats because its open y pipe? i sprayed carb cleaner all over the linkage too to make sure its not sticking, and it doesnt,

also the car still seems to have a little trouble starting, i have to try for about 5 seconds before it goes, but i dont have to push the pedal any more, just turn the key for 5-10 seconds before it starts up... should be faster than that right?