Hey guys, got a problem.

My iroc has been sitting in the garage for about 2 weeks not and I have not started it since. I went to start it yesterday and it started, but i had engine troubles. It sounded like it was not getting combustion in all cylinders, and the exhaust was smokin like a ****. Any ideas?

thanks
james

 

What color smoke, and how long did you run it for?

 

Started for 10 seconds, then I stopped it, tried it for another 10 and stopped it again. Smoke was white Im pretty sure

 

How is your coolant level?

 

Right up full. But I set a few mice traps (Im in Canada and winter is coming) and got 2 mice over night. Could the problem be mice in the exhaust?

 

You checked the level in the rad?

You'd have to broil a mouse in the exhaust for a long time before it started giving off white smoke.

 

Rad is full.

 

I lol'd.

 

Pull the plugs and see how they look, and try a compression test.

 

Does that mean the motor is running mousy?

Hot then cold then hot may have just built condensation in the pipes and the engine. If you have oil pressure, just let it run for a bit and see if it clears up.

 

That's best to check all the plugs and if things look wrong then do a compression test. 2 weeks isn't that long so your fluids should all be still good. Just check the plugs and replace if you need to and let it run for a while.... keep us posted

 

Did you have any concerns or running problems two weeks ago when you shut it off?

 

No sir, ran perfectly fine.

 

If you think about it, the only thing that could cause damage to the engine would be a lack of oil pressure and excess temperature. (You probably don't have to worry about temperature right now.........but do consider a coolant temperature sensor. Those effect the air/fuel mixture and seem to go out at the drop of a hat). Yes, it might run crappy; but running it will just mean that it runs crappy. I wouldn't push it too hard. You may find that one of your two little buddies had a snack prior to their untimely demise at the hands of the spring-loaded jaws of death................

 

How many miles on the engine and how long since a tune-up?

 

127xxx. Have no idea as to when the last tune up was.

 

IMO, start it, let it get to operating temperature and see what it does at idle. You tune-up status may effect how well it runs.

 

Ok I will try that later today. But how would a tune randomly go from purring to gargling?

 

One other trick is to get some octane boost. Now hang on - for those of you who are going to draw and quarter me for recommending that, let me finish. Octane boost won't do much for performance, but it DOES make the exhaust gases hotter which will free up sticking valves (EGR) and moving components. In addition, it will delay combustion which makes the explosion a little stronger.........

 

Is your garage heated? If not, moisture will build up all over the place. You may have arcing between the plug wires or something like that if the insulation is broken down. If I remember reading the initial post, you only let it run for about 10 seconds each time before you shut it off. This wouldn't be enough to clear out moisture.

 

No my garage is not heated. I will let it run and warm up later today to see if the problem goes away once its heated up.

 

Ok started snowing today so I couldnt take it out and start it. I will let you guys know what happens once I do.