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1989 GTA driveability problem..

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Old May 14, 2011 | 09:12 PM
  #1  
Notplayn's Avatar
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From: Wilmington
Car: Depends on the day!
Engine: the kind that runs on money
Transmission: One that holds up, I hope
1989 GTA driveability problem..

Here is a list of symptoms

*Hard to start, turns over several times before starting.
*After aprox. 30m driving: doesn't want to take the gas like vapor locking.
*fuel and tank hot
*idling surges, sometimes cutting off.
*opening fuel cap warm air rushes out(more then should) and tank popping like it had expanded.

whats been done...
*Replaced fuel pump 3 times
*replaced mass airflow
*check engine light NOT on

*has an adjustable fuel regulator
*does not have smog pump hooked up.
*exhaust and muffler NOT to close to tank.

thanks for any help
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Old May 15, 2011 | 11:01 AM
  #2  
fireburdluvr85's Avatar
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: wallingford,ct
Car: 91 formula ws6
Engine: 355 tpi OBDII
Transmission: 4l60E
Axle/Gears: 2.73 with 4th gen brakes
Re: 1989 GTA driveability problem..

injectors. i didnt wanna believe it when it happened to me till i ohmed them out for myself. just cuts out when hot? wont rev over 1300 rpm?
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Old May 15, 2011 | 02:24 PM
  #3  
camaronewbie's Avatar
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,192
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From: Cary, North Carolina
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: 1989 GTA driveability problem..

Hard start - check fuel pump relay - does the fuel pump prime?

If relay goes bad, pump won't prime, thus takes a bit to start since the backup oil pressure sending circuit has to see oil pressure before it starts to run the pump.
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Old May 15, 2011 | 10:24 PM
  #4  
Notplayn's Avatar
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From: Wilmington
Car: Depends on the day!
Engine: the kind that runs on money
Transmission: One that holds up, I hope
Re: 1989 GTA driveability problem..

How might this cause the fuel tank to seem over pressurized? hot? thanks
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Old May 16, 2011 | 07:39 AM
  #5  
Notplayn's Avatar
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From: Wilmington
Car: Depends on the day!
Engine: the kind that runs on money
Transmission: One that holds up, I hope
Re: 1989 GTA driveability problem..

Checked, yes the fuel pump primes everytime.
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Old May 16, 2011 | 08:33 AM
  #6  
ASE doc's Avatar
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Aurora, OR
Car: 87 IROC Z28
Engine: 355 cid TPI
Transmission: Custom Built 700R4 w/3,500 stall
Axle/Gears: QP fab 9" 3.70 Truetrac
Re: 1989 GTA driveability problem..

Purge canister clogged, fuel tank pressure control valve faulty, or pinched vent line.
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Old May 16, 2011 | 04:38 PM
  #7  
Notplayn's Avatar
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Posts: 162
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From: Wilmington
Car: Depends on the day!
Engine: the kind that runs on money
Transmission: One that holds up, I hope
Re: 1989 GTA driveability problem..

Hey ASE doc, could those issues also cause the driveablility problems I described? and thanks for the help
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Old May 16, 2011 | 06:16 PM
  #8  
torque_is_good's Avatar
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Re: 1989 GTA driveability problem..

Originally Posted by ASE doc
Purge canister clogged, fuel tank pressure control valve faulty, or pinched vent line.
I'll put 20 on that being the issue

there's a process for diagnosing that on the 4th gens, there must be something similar on the 3rds.......I'd hope
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Old May 17, 2011 | 08:28 AM
  #9  
ASE doc's Avatar
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Aurora, OR
Car: 87 IROC Z28
Engine: 355 cid TPI
Transmission: Custom Built 700R4 w/3,500 stall
Axle/Gears: QP fab 9" 3.70 Truetrac
Re: 1989 GTA driveability problem..

One quick way to verify if the tank pressure is causing your drivibility issues is to remove the fuel cap and drive it. If it's all better, then you know. I would not discount the injectors though, they are a huge failure item on these cars. As far as diagnosing the canister and tank control valve, I'll see what I can find and post it for you.
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