My engine is running absolutely horrible. for a while it would NEVER start the first try, but turn rite over on the second try, today is started to not always start on the second. twice it would start, and if I kept my foot on the gas it would run, but it was real lopey, like I had a cam in it...and while running like that it would smoke, pretty bad too.

I got on it at a light once tonight and looked back and it was pretty smokey back at the intersection. While cruising I kinda hear dead spots, or quiet spots in my exhaust, like little burps.

what do you think it could be, I have NO CLUE.

 

Check for codes, may yeild a clue. Smoke is black, smell rich?

 

smoke has a wierd smell, dont know what it is, but I know I had it in a garage, and it was doing it while trying to pull it out, my tops were off, and it burnt my eyes.

I hope a wal-mart code reader thing, that reads codes if you turn the key to accessory, well it doesnt throw the code till after it starts running, so that wont pick it up.

 

oh yeah smoke is black....or grey.

 

It will have thrown a code. There is a tech article on how to check the codes with the motor off with a paperclip. As long as you havent disconnected the battery it will have them logged. Check the articles. The trouble code will put you in the right direction at least.

 

Brian, whats up with the message board man?

As for your problem, the exhaust is burning your face. The car is running VERY rich. Lots of gasoline vapor exiting your tailpipes. Check to make sure your spark plugs are not loose. Could be your fuel pump going dead/malfunctioning. Not fun.

 

I have always been able to hear my pump, like if I turn the key sometimes or whatever, and I remember hearing it yesterday, and it sounded normal

my site is running good, just no people lately, everyone left, I dont even check it except every few days anymore.

 

chattin w/ nj speeder on AIM he mentioned IAC. it only smokes when its trying to idle. and that time I stepped on it at an idle at the light.

how hard is it to change IAC, how much does it cost, could I go to a dealer and pick up the part tomarrow and isntall it in my driveway with basic hand tools?

 

The IAC is very simple to remove and reinstall. The part should be at GM...but go and try a Carquest or Autozone first...may be more inexpensive. My IAC was causing a rich condition...turned out part of it was broken. You may want to go ahead and clean the passages around the IAC while you're at it. Also, follow a chilton book or other repair book when reinstalling the IAC. There's something about setting it's length correctly, I forget.

By the way...your car is the sweetest thirdge I've ever seen. You're my inspiration for a RAII hood.

 

I have a spare throttle body, the IAC is the thing bolted on the underside rite? could I use my spare? I originally had a 305 TPI, the bought the L98 complete, have the injection from the L98 and have the spare stuff from the 305, most is gone now, but I do still have the throttle body.

so could I use my spare, or just buy new.

 

Ill bet money on it being a blown fuel pressure reg. Lopey idle, smoke, running VERY rough... theyre all symptoms of this. My FPR blew a while back in my GTA, and did the SAME thing. The best way to tell is take off the vacum line going to the pressure regulator, and start the car. If gas starts coming out, theres your problem. Also check you ignition controll module.

 

Check out my recent thread:
'88 L98 Stumbling/surging diagnosed - MAF.

My L98 MAF trouble started out with mild stumble and an occasional miss at idle and got progressively worse. Fortunately I had a similar MAF to substitute.

If you don't have a MAF to swap, go to the Wells site and check out their MAF diagnostics.
http://www.wellsmfgcorp.com/

 

This is actually 86FyrBrd posting:

if this will confuse you guys more, the FPR and MAF are bothless then 6 months old. Did the IAC this morning,seemed to fix it kinda but its still not perfect. I'm doing the 02 sensor in like an hour to see if that will help any.

any more ideas.