Hello. I have a 1984 Camaro with the 2,8L engine. i finally bought a battery for it, and i finally charged it up so that my car would start! Just fired it up, and drove it. This is also my first Camaro and the first time i have ever bene behind the wheel of ANY Camaro, EVER. I like it! Even the 2.8L

I have a little problem and I need help.

Ok. First of all, i started the car and it ran good for 5 minutes.. until it most likely "Ran out f gas." I added a grand total of four fresh gallons today, two from a gas can, two fresh from the pump at the gas station. I also poured -some- down the carburetor throat, and if the battery had more juice, it would have started then (it was weak, not dead, would not start the car.) A two-hour slow charge gave mr. 1 year old battery enough juice (i topped off the electrolyte with DISTLLED water too, it was a touch low, thanks) as well and that seemed to help it get its proper charge from my Smart Charger 2A in a major way.

So after i had the battery charged enough, car -DID- start. Reverse? Works. Forward? Works too! Lights? a little wonky, i have to manually flip the turn signals, and the right signal lights up the REVERSE light only on the right hand side in the rear.. weird. But it drives nice! Good trans. Even cold First impression: all is good, fresh gas, its running, good to go.

10 minutes later. I drive into the gas station. Open the hood, this IS its maiden voyage.. SMOKE!!

Repeat: THIN, WHISPY SMOKE!! Coming from passenger side, seems to be originating from passenger side of the carburetor circle i take cover off and on.



Ok, ok. Car still runs well. Coolant reservoir was at proper level, so thats noteworth. Car MAYBE not "Fully warmed up" but anyways, time to get back home. I pull in , park, pop hood again, i dont really see it.. turn car off, yeah i see it (I saw it coming from under the sides of the hood it was dark, nighttime trip as i went to open the hood though) and turned off car.. slight hissing sound. ????????

Was it overheating? i couldnt tell, it was dark.. and i dont know where the temperature gauge is on the dash. Non-digital dash, i dont know why i cant find parts for the "Base model." Its always Sport Coupe - ?

P/o Mentioned i WOULD need a "Water Pump" (He sounded confident about this, my mechanic says it looked like the water pump was brand new) AND a "Valve cover gasket." Now, HOW on EARTH does a VALVE COVER gasket go? Tell me. People have speculated it is a small leak of some kind, but w/o temp gauge, i dont even know if it is overheating!!!

I dont see milkshake oil
I saw smoke out the tailpipe, but that is after car had sat for 3 months or so and had old gas in it and i ran it out of gas now it has 4 gallons in it 87 Shell, fresh gas, it went away
didnt SMELL like coolant
and i .. well the smoke was thin, whispy, hard to tell a clolor, couldnt judge the smell, and it came from "Passenger side under throttle body."

Oh and pics of my baby are coming soon But it looks a LOT liek this car.. w/o the hood like that though. And slightly more mayonnaise-color, but its 85% in common with this, id say.



And FTR, i do _NOT- want it to look like this car below, if i HAD T-Tops. NO THANKS! I like mine and mine has the wheels of the first pic, thank you



And is there any way i can put the 1st pic as my siggy pic? Thanks! *End first post, wait for help as to what is happening w my engine and smoke..

- 84CamaroinFL
HELP! Thanks.

 

Can't help with the smoke issue, but you have a nice car. I wish it looked like an 82-84 though instead of a 85-90.

 

If it needs a waterpump do it.

Valve cover gaskets can go thats not a big deal to change. Everything gets old and hardens up from heat cylcles then leaks.

If youve had hands on the thing Im betting some oil or grease is simply burning off the manifolds from handling them typical of an install.

Keep an eye on your gauges and check for leaks your first 100 miles.

 

lol, ill throw some pics up as soon as i can i have an 84 and i dont know the differences in the models cosmetically yet.

As to my "Whispy smoke issue," yeah maybe a VC change is in order. About how much would a mobile mechanic charge for a VC replacement? (Valve Cover gasket) Shall i first make sure my Radiator (not overflow tank, or coolant reservoir) is full, and check to see if it reoccurs?

And WHERE is my Temperature gauge, so i can really read what the car is telling me? Thank you!