Hi guys,

have a problem and need help.

i have crate vortec tpi, headerS, afpr, proted plenum, etc. car was a beast until firday. then.......

driving down the road and the car started running badly. it developed what i can only describe as a terrible miss and you can forget any idle. the engine shakes while it is running but not as bad if you keep the revs up a bit. took it by a gas station and we couldn't see anything wrong. (we looked at the plug wires and distributor wires etc.) he looked and listened and said he could smell raw gas and thought it sounded like the intake gasket may have developed a leak.

just to start the process of checking things i unhooked the msd 6 and still had the same problem. changed the coil and still have the same problem.

tried to check the fuel pressure but my guage is not working. when itook the guage off and pressed the schrader valve and gas shot out so there is pressure but while i had the vacum line off i noticed smoke comming out the fitting on the plenum. ?????

i am going to get a new guage and check the pressure but if anyone has other suggestions they would be appreciated.

LONG LIVE 3RD GENS!!

 

Did you have any smoke comeing out of exhaust or a check engine light

 

no check engine lights but do have some smoke comming out the back. at least according to my wife. keep in mine the car is P I G rich at idle from an chip i bought that is not burned correctly. (chip has been in the car since the engine swap so that is not the problem)

 

But if the chip doesn't work with the engine, what's to say a problem hasn't developed because of the mismatched parts?

 

while the chip ain't perfect the car worked well for quite some time. just fyi, the chip was burned by the same guy who burnt the chip for Brian at scroggin dickie who helped devlope this engine. so while not ideal it was passable.

having said that, even if the chip had some part in causing the problem, i still don't know exactly what the problem is but need help in determing which direction to pursue.

 

sounds similar to what my car did when my FPR went out. Could also be a bad fuel pump. Get a guage on it and check the FP. Then take it to one of those good old shops that still have the big oscilloscope for monitoring spark if that is good. fuel or fire, one or the other. start elimnating possibilities.

 

Do the old propane trick to check for a leak at the intake and around the hoses. If there isn't one, check your wires for burns, the plugs to make sure they aren't fouled, and if these all check out, take off the valve covers and look for a bent pushrod. These are just the simple checks. I'm hoping that one of them will locate the culprit. If not, post back and I'm sure the answer can be found.

 

thanks for the help guys, will work on suggestions.

for an update. just bought a new fuel pressure guage and the pressure pops right up and sticks at about 44psi. no fluctuations.

gonna try plugs and wires next.

 

have you pulled the plugs and looked at them yet? if your running pig rich, then you probably fowled the plugs...which would be a result from your mis-matched parts...ie improperly burned chip.

 

Does the pressure hold after you shut off the car?? If it drops suddenly when the pump shuts off, try pinching off the return line and prime the pump and see if it holds pressure then, if it doesn't, you probably have some leaking injectors... I agree with checking the plugs... could point you towards the trouble area...

 

pressure does hold for a LONG time after car shut off. she stayed at same spot the entire time i was under the hood and when i went back to unhook guage 2 hours later and it still had 15lbs showing.

will pull plugs tomorrow and let you know what i find.

thanks again!!

 

now plugs checked. they are a little dark from being rich but all are firing. cap and rotor plug wires all look fine too. replaced plugs and still have same problem.

any chance a valve spring could be broke?

 

Check the PCV Valve to make sure it isn't plugged and make sure the catalytic converter is glowing red, which would mean it's clogged. I'd suspect a pushrod before a valve spring.

 

cat is gutted so not much chance of being clogged.

pvc is fine too but thanks for the effort!!

 

im having this same problem with my car and i cant find what is causeing it! i think i might have an intake leak but if so i stil hae to drive it for another week till i get my honda back.

 

well, after last time and 1200 in parts i didnt need, i carried it to the chevy dealer and 450 later it was done. sooooo, after the initial checks this time the chevy dealer now has it. will let you know what they find.

 

We will anxiously await your reply.

 

bated breath eh>?

ok, heres the poop so far.

dealer ran a few testes. have problem in #5 cyc. they susupect broken valve spring but are going to run compression check first.

will post update when available.

additional question..........if an engine is running rich for a while what are the consequences besides fouled plugs?

by the the plugs that came out were black but not fowled. new chip will be done shortly after the monster comes back. just think of all the missing HP!!

 

Update..............man this sux.

well it could be worse.

valve spring in numerous pieces. engine has about 30-35k on it and has had synthetic since broken in. never seen 6k on the tach and still this thing broke.

anyway, put a scope in the plug hole, you can see a few "pits" in the top of the piston but nothing serious and, thank my lucky stars so far, the valve does not seem to have a bend.

going to put a new spring on then do the compression check and see where i stand.

any guidance or things to look for WILL BE greatly appreciated!!

fingers crossed xxxxx xxxxx

 

spring is on a i just picked up the car. she seems to be running fine but havn't really kicked her hard yet.

they go a lot of "shavings" off the head with a magnet and i had them change the oil while it was there. figure i'll wait about 500 or so miles and change it again just to be sure.

thanks for the help guys!!