so i finally removed the POS alarm system from my 92 v6(3.1) and I took it for a run around the block.

Upon attempting to accelerate up the hill back to my house, i started losing mad amounts of power. I couldn't make it over 2500 rpms or so without it struggling and making a loud popping noise.. Kinda like a backfire, really. At least I think that's the noise. honestly, you'd hear grumbllle grumbllle(straight pipe sound =D) then sksssshhh POP and it'd start to accelerate a bit more, but I didn't wanna push it

I'm also burning oil, or at least smoking something out my tail pipes. I know there are waaay too many places that could burn the oil, but I'd like some ideas as to where it's common in our 3rd gens. i've checked nearly all the normal things, lines, gasket, filter, etc, and they all looked fine.

I can take a video of the sound happening if it makes it easier, but any ideas are greatly appreciated. thank you!

 

Sounds like maybe a clogged catalytic converter, what color is the smoke coming out your tailpipes, hate to break it to you, but unless its cold out, or only does it when you first start the car up, if you have smoke out the tail pipes it means you probably have bad piston rings.

 

The smoke comin out is white. A buddy of mine who is a decent mechanic said i was burning oil, and should put stop leak in until I can afford the 305 swap. and yeah, if by cold you mean a bit nipply, it is. it was around 45-50 that night, and the morning i tried to start it, it was a around 50 with cloud cover, so there was no easy way to warm it all up.

and I'm pretty sure I don't have a catalytic converter in it, but i'll have to double check. I was told it's a full 2.5" straight pipe

 

White smoke is more than likely a head gasket, blue smoke is when it's burning oil... don't use that stop leak crap in your engine if you plan on repairing that engine because they will do more harm than good. If it's cold out it's normal to get that white smoke which it's just condensation... Does it do it once the engine is up to normal operating temperatures?

 

right now, I couldn't tell you. It won't fire up at all. When I try to start it, it turns over and makes it to about 500rpms then dies. Also, while I'm turning it over, the temperature gauge flares to 260 then drops to base line when it dies.

If it would warm the **** up around here, I could see if it's turning over and burning blue smoke. Before hand, when I'd start it up, it would just sound really harsh, then die off. I haven't had it running long enough to be able to tell you what it's like at normal temps. I did drive it about 10 miles when I bought it, and other than some soft *** brakes, it ran fine. I gotta hold the brakes for a looong time before I start to slow down.

but first things' first, i need to get it to start again. I'll take a video tomorrow of me turning it over, and I guess we go from there. I appreciate all the help guys!

 

id check the plugs first see what they look like... check the oil for water ... (should look like chocolate milk if theres water in it) and check your coolant level and condition before i went crankin all that stuff through my engine anymore ONLY MY OPINION

 

could probably be the fuel pump or clogged fuel filter, i had the same problem under acceleration, i didnt even have enough power to do a burnout, the fuel tank was rusty and clogged the whole system

 

Is the distributor loose?

 

I'll check all of those in the morning. Any tips for getting the spark plugs loose? I can't seem to reach in there far enough to get any torque, and using any sort of power tool is out of the question since I'm broke enough as is.

 

Spray some penetrate oil in the holes and let soak over night to hopefully get the plugs loose.

 

from the top, they look brand spankin new. I had AC delcos to put in, gapped to .045, and i looked at the wires(they looked exactly like the $20 ones i just bought) and both wires and plugs looked perfectly new. I'm thinkin the guy before me didn't gap them right.

anybody in northern va willing to help sometime this week? I'll pay what I can...

 

This almost sounds like the plug wires are crossed up. As for the white smoke, that usually signifies a blown head gasket,cracked head\block,wasted intake gaskets.(could be any of those) Get yourself a printout for the firing order and check the plug wires. Another thing you might check is since you removed the alarm system, make sure all your ignition wires(from the ECM to the dizzy) are going where they are supposed to. Alot of these alarm systems interrupt the ignition system and are wired into it. I would check the plug wires first though. And I would take a look at the electrode side of the plugs and see if there is evidence of water in the cylinders. And the obvious, is the car throwing any codes?

 

The thing about that alarm, is that they didn't cut any cables. They just stripped parts and electrical taped them in. I have since rewrapped the exposed wires and heat sealed them so there couldn't be any shorts as far as i know.

I have yet to be able to find te firebird v6 specific firing order, so I looked at a 3.1 camaro's firing order, and if they are the same, then I'll have that checked.

So far as I know, it isn't throwing any codes, I don't have a scanner, nor the money to buy a scanner at the moment.

As for the head gasket/cracked head etc, I was able to drive this car 12 miles on a donut, doing 45-50 in moderate traffic with nothing more than a few break squeals(replacing them soon too), so i would believe none of those would be bad. The gasket is going to be replaced soon anyway, beccause it's got around 125k miles and its due for a change.

can you describe what the smell would be like if I were burning oil or coolant?

 

The camaro and firebird have the same firing order's. You can pull code's using a paperclip to ground out the A-B pins on the ALDL connector. If your burning coolant it would have a sweet smell to it. A car can still start and drive with a cracked/blown head gasket it depends on how bad it is.

 

Funny ha ha yes, buddy had a v6 Regal that ran smooth as silk but the constant stream of coolant out the exhaust pipe was a hoot
Like someone turned on a hose.

 

haha that wouldn't be good. I don't have the money to keep refilling my coolant. It's more of a bitter smell, but I'll know for sure once I go and hopefully start it today. Woo, working on a car in 34 degree weather!

 

My cars have that same habit- nothing ever breaks when its warm outside.

 

So I'm sure I'm not burning coolant. Why? Cause it's a bitter smell, that reminds me of my buddy's 84 camaro z28. It's got a carburated smell. It smokes white a little. But I'll hopefully be replacing the gaskets soon, like I said.

Any other ideas are welcome!

 

haha...same here