I am currently having a problem with my 1982 Trans am. After the car has been stopped for a few hours and I restart it, it starts ok but when i start driving the car is very sluggish and will not go faster than 40 mph and 1800 rpm. After about a mile or 2 this problem seems to go. It sounds a bit rough after when the engine is idling, almost as if it is trying to cut out. Unfortunately i live in ireland and no mechanics are willing to touch the car as they do not know much about V8's. The only thing I have noticed is that i seem to bee topping up the coolant in the radiator at least once a week. would appreciate any help in identifying the problem.

Regards,
Gareth

 

does it smoke while idleing or driving ? losing coolant would make me assume you have a blown headgasket

 

I first assumed choke problem.

What carburetor is on it, stock non computer controlled quadrajet?
When it's running really poorly, do you notice the exhaust? Any white/blue/green etc color to it?

 

The car only smokes on first start up, which it has done for as long as i remember, however while at idle speed no noticable smoke comes out the exhaust. As far as the carburetor it is the original stock part.

 

Are we talking about the '82 T/A 305 crossfire listed in your profile? If thats the case, you don't have a carbureator. Crossfire used two single barrel throttle body fuel injection units.

Crossfire can be a real chore to diagnosis when its not working right. How many miles has it been since the TBI units where last sync'ed together?

Have you looked for any antifreeze leaks? Is there any evidence of leakage where the plastic side tanks are crimped onto the aluminum core on the radiator? If the engine is burning the coolant you more than likely have a head gasket problem which can cause rough idling and driveability problems.

 

Whoa, good eye Dens, I didn't even notice that.
Do you notice any puddles under the car? You hope it's just leaking anti-freeze, burning it is a much harder to fix problem.

 

I found a leak in the bottom of the radiator which seemed to appear after i ran the engine for a few minutes. i have just ordered a new radiator from the states via internet should be here in 2 weeks. Hopefully this may be the cause of the low rpm

 

A bad/leaking radiator isn't going to effect your engine's performance! We're just trying to make sure you don't have a blown head gasket, which is a much worse way that you'd be losing antifreeze.

 

I told a local mechanic about your suggestions that it may be the head gasket and he is going to take a look at it for me. The problem he had was in trying to figue out the cause as he is unfamiliar with american engines. Will keep you all posted. THANKS!

 

Well if the rad is leaking then it needs to be replaced anyway. Just be sure it's not leaking from a pinhole in a hose, and draining over to the rad.

aawww, "not familiar with american engines" is such a cop out. Internal combustion engines are all so incredibly similar it's scary. The symptoms and problems are the same. If he's a good mechanic he shouldn't have a problem.