I just bought a Gorgeous 1988GTA with 145km/85miles on it. The mechanic said it ran good. Noticed no muffler, Sounded perfect in the parking lot. Launched out of the driveway, but then as soon as RPM's hit 2750-3000, it started lurching, and bogging out(the front end was shaking) until I slowed on the throttle and it shifted, but the same lurching engine as soon as the RPM's got high. Ther were glimpses when it shifted of power waiting to be unleashed launching me forward, then it was almost as if it was revved out at 2750rpm???? So I hit the highway for 300km/175miles journey home. Not once, could I get solid power to highway speeds. Coasted good at 65mph for stretches of 10-15min until started cutting out again. Then, no throttle response. Have to feather it for up to 1 min(sometimes pulling over on the shoulder at 30mph) then with low rpm climb up to speed. When I got home, It started and is still stalling on almost every corner I take. When the car is first started, it sounds great, 5 min later it starts lurching, shaking, and slowly stalls out. Pull the throttle cable and sometimes you here the beast ready to eat, but most times(especially when fast on the throttle) it runs rough,shaky, and weak. Please help me unleash the beast! Oh, also, it was sitting for 5 months.

 

Welcome Aboard!

Lack od power under load could be several issues. Typical problems are restricted exhaust, poor spark energy, and inadequate fuel delivery. Since the car was sitting for a few months, there is also the possibility of poor fuel volatility. Start with some fresh. low octane fuel. Low octane is more gasoline and less additive, and can help dissolve gum and varnish that may have accumulated in storage.

After running some fresh fuel, check the standing fuel pressure. Since the car is new to you, it would be a good idea to at least review some of the ormal maintenace items, like spark plugs, wires, distributor cap & rotor, air and fuel filters, lubricants, etcetera.

 

What about the stalling around corners????

 

please help

 

Start with the basics, replace every maintance item, also is it throwing any codes? Mine did that just not so bad, it was a crack in the magnetic pickup in the distributor. Rusted out from sitting and the little star things rusted and fell off. Remember these cars are almost 20 years old and most ppl never did routine maintance, just fixed it if it broke.

 

The check engine light is on, How do I check codes?

 

you need a paperclip, put it in the upermost two holes on the right side, it should flash once, and then twice, then a pause, it will do that 3 times, then it will pause agian, and it will either repete code 12, or it will start a nother 2 digit code. go get the code and come back, if you look it up there is a much better explination on how to do it pluss a breakdown of what the codes are. turn the car of first then put in the paperclip, then turn the car to the on position but dont start the car... that is when the code will come up.

 

Had it "scoped" at the shop. Does that just mean check the error codes? He said it was my Maf and tried to charge me $750cdn. Found 1 cheaper. Any tricks to install?

 

MAF is probably easiest thing to install on f-bodys.Pretty straight forward,just dont let anything jabb through it and ruin it again

 

pick yourself up a Factory Service Manual, or a Haynes/Chiltons repair manual, they will explain how to do it if you are confused.

also, did'nt you test drive the car before you bought it?

 

My 88 GTA did the same thing before I sold it, it was my MAF... Buy a used one here in the classifieds, it should be less than 100$ shipping included.

 

I have had maf faults before on a known good maf, it was other problems, try to borrow someones good maf and try it.

 

Didn't test drive it. It was in another city. Had a recommended mechanic look at it. Said it was good. What a hack. What should happen when you disconnect the maf?

 

When the MAF is disconnected, the car will run, but not as good as with a good working MAF.

 

How different?

 

Sometimes it will idle heratically, or will take 2-3 try to start it and keep running. But don't be hard with the car if you drive with the MAF unplugged, this is only quick fix...