I wasn't sure what thread section to post in. I bought my 92 Camaro RS Heritage 305 TBI in May. The car didn't have a air cleaner and is missing a lot of stuff under the hood from what I can tell. The car over heats, runs rich, smokes black constantly thickness changes, idles high, tachometer and speedo read wrong, have a code 23 at the ECM and steering pops when i turn wheel too far. Also i recently bottomed out and now the exhaust backfires and the whole car shakes when i let off the accelerator. If someone could give me some advice on how to tackle these problem one by one or if there is one solution to multiple problems i would appreciate it.

 

Congrats on the car...too bad about all these problems.

First thing, get a repair manual for your car (Chilton's or Haynes at minimum).

Running rich could be due to: TPS not properly set, O2 sensor has failed, CTS has failed, or leaky injectors. Unfortunately its not a straight forward answer.

Do you have access to a scanner, either professional or home-made? This info could be invaluable to us in diagnosing your problem.

Hope this helps.

 

I have a haynes manual and a chiltons manual. I did the DLC connector test and got a code 23. Is there another way to diagnose problems on these cars? I just need a place to start from so I don't replace stuff that isn't broke. There are a lot of sensor harnesses that aren't hooked up to anything. Are there suppose to be extra connectors?

 

Major tune-up time..... That is just a start from what you describe. It's never a waste of cash when you buy a car to do: Oil change, plugs, wires, cap/rotor, fuel filter, Air cleaner and like Skib said sounds like some sensor issues. Overheats > radiator fan coming on? E.C.M/ take it off and autozone can test it. Steering pops > low fluids will whine, pop? At age 38 done my fair share with cars but diffidently not a mechanic. Maybe some others will have better avenues for you to check. I would start with a major tune up regardless what the previous owner sold you on!

 

X2 on major tune up time...sure doesn't hurt.

You said the Previous Owner removed some components from under the hood and now you have extra connectors everywhere. This is most likely the source of many problems. Your Chilton will be a good source of info regarding where assorted relays and sensors belong, make sure all your components are there. Keep resetting the ECM and pulling new codes (if any) as you put back, what should be there (relays and sensors). When you get stuck, start posting pictures here and we can certainly try to help.

Hope this helps.

 

It's been awhile since I have been on here. I changed the oil in my car, checked the spark plugs and wires, put a new manifold air temperature sensor, and a new power steering hose on it. I think I still need to change the throttle position sensor. I am still getting a code 23 so I am gonna try putting the new throttle sensor on it this week. Think the sensor will help with my high idle and the running rich. The heater core is bad after i hooked it back up it started leaking inside the passenger side. Going to replace that this week also. The radiator does have a leak I figured that out when hooking heater core back up. My dad suggested leak stop for it. I am wondering if that would fix it or if I should just get a new radiator instead. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you in advanced.

 

if your digging into this car like you are, dont use leak stop, leak stop should only be used as a temporary fix to help get you home, it can cause a lot of other head aches, clog up heater cores, sometime affects your thermostat. Id replace it seeing your already digging deep into this project.

 

Just put in new TPS and the idle went down to 2500 rpm from 4500 rpm. I am not sure if I have to set the TPS to the car or if the computer does it on its own. The computer seemed to be doing it but it stopped at 2500 rpm. I checked the throttle to make sure it wasnt catching on anything. After messing with the throttle I started it again and it went from 2500 rpm slowly up to 3000 rpm. Is there something I need to do? Any advice would be great.

 

This is one of many articles in the technical articles section you should read. Lots of good stuff in there
https://www.thirdgen.org/tpimod2
The TPS on your car in not adjustable so ignore the part about adjusting it. Should read within the values listed though

 

I checked the TPS voltage and it checked out. I dont think the emissions control in my car is hooked up right at all. From what i can decipher from my chiltons book and haynes book i am missing a lot of stuff. If anyone has better picture or descriptions for the whole emissions system it would really help. I can take pictures of how mine is tomorrow if i need to. There are vacuum lines not hooked up. The po really messed this car up. I will take pics of the sensor connectors that arent hooked up as well. Under the hood of my car dont look good at all. Once I get everything back to atleast stock I am planning on dressing it up.

 

Here are some pictures of what I am dealing with. One of the pictures is the back of the air pump. You cant really see very well but there is a place for a pipe. There is a picture of the extra sensor connectors that melted. If anyone can give me some insight on what is suppose to be hooked up to the stuff i took pictures of i would appreciate it. Have a feeling it is all emissions and EGR stuff.

 

More Pictures

 

And more

 

Your EGR seems to be still there, but the AIR (smog pump, etc) system seems to be removed or capped off. I'm guessing there is no longer a catalytic converter at the other end of that pipe either. Plugged port on front of the TBI is for the charcoal canister and fuel vapor purge system which I'm also guessing is gone. Hope you don't need to pass any smog testing there. Burnt plug is for the Air valve also gone. Last pic shows the vacuum source for heater bypass and HVAC controls, etc

 

I found a post on how to clean up my engine bay. Gave me an idea on how to repeat what the po did to my car. Only thing i need to know is what would i need to hook back up to fix my idle and excess smoke in my exhaust. The po tried to do the smog pump delete and failed badly. think i still have the charcoal canister. It is near the wiper reservoir correct?

 

I am pretty sure I have a coolant leak into one of my cylinders. Going to double check tomorrow. Lots of white smoke in exhaust but no coolant in oil. Would it be better to rebuild my 200,000 mile stock engine, put in a 350 that a guy I know will sell me, or buy a new 305 block and build it how I want it? I cant find a decent priced new 305 block with headers and valve covers. Does anyone know of any good sites or stores that dont mark up their engines?

 

Bump

 

Upgrade to an LS-series motor and T56 trans. I bet that for the same price as a properly rebuilt 305 you could get a LS-motor/tranny combo from a junkyard.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the advice. Dont think I will be able to find a very good engine at the junk yard I went to yesterday. They didnt have any decent camaros or firebird there.

 

Got my RS running almost perfect. I am getting a 91 Z28 next week. Get to replace fuel pump and completely put interior back together. He was going to sell me the parts but decided to buy whole car instead. I might have to replace fuel line and brakes lines as well. Would it be a good idea to put my TBI intake on the z28 since it is TPi? I was also looking into a notchback. Do those open up like a stock hatch?

 

So what did you wind up doing to it to fix the high idle/rich condition?

 

This Should Help To Some Extent. This is my post on my car work and what ive done, except my car has been sitting for several years. ive gathered alot of info tho. :: here is is:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...ct-camaro.html

 

imeridith the idle wasnt as bad as I thought it was but one of the spark plug wires was on the exhaust manifold and was bare. I replaced all of the wires and it fixed the idle some its not off by much now. As far as the running rich Im pretty sure its cause the PO took all of the emissions stuff out. The car still smokes a bit out exhausts but im fine with that since it has 213,000 miles on original motor.