There is a guy down the street selling an 88 SC 2.8L 5 speed. The interior is pretty bad, and the car doesn't run. I really want it (cause I am really missing my 3rd gen!!!) but it doesn't start. One problem is the battery. The other he has no clue about. He said he has replaced the MAF, the sensor in the housing that covers the air filters (what the heck is that?), and the sensor that is on the front DS of the block, under the TB, next to the thermo. He also said he has had it checked by a mechanic and is sure the problem is a sensor. He said the car floods itself sometimes and that that is most likely the problem. Any ideas what sensor that could be affecting startup? Other than the ones he has changed, of course. I know I haven't givin you guys much to work with. Any help is appreciated. Also, it has the AIR pump, and how bad/hard is it to take that off???
Vman

------------------
1969 Camaro
383, Corvette heads, 700R4
Resto is in progress

1988 Toyota 4-Runner
aka the Parts Hauler

 

No dont get it. Save up for a nice 3rd gen that you will be proud of and isnt a POS. it might make a good parts car tho.

------------------
1992 Camaro RS 3.1L
T5 Manual 5 speed
Cold/RAM air intake
Z-28 Exhaust
8.5mm MSD Ignition wires
TB Coolant bypass

Kills:

95 (****) Probe GT
94 Mustang GT
91 CRX (dont ask me why he raced me)
2nd Gen Z28 (350) haha to you V8 guys!
1992 RS 305 TBI (good race)
More to come

 

How bad's the interior?

Sounds like he replaced the MAT air temp sensor in the airbox, and the coolant temp sensor by the thermo. I wonder what the deal with the mechanic is...? Did the owner run out of cash, and asked the mechanic to stop work? Or could the mechanic not find the problem? Hm.

You could run a compression test on the motor to see if the rings/valves aren't shot. I'd imagine a compression test might also show a broken timing chain. Also check the oil for signs of antifreeze, and the radiator for signs of oil. The spark plugs might also help tell you what the story is; if they're all fouled up, it might point to the car flooding.

A fuel pressure gauge would help; that would show if the pump is good, and if the injectors aren't leaking down. Next we need spark; I guess you could check for that. The timing might also be way off, that would cause a very hard start / no start condition (and might lead back to a busted timing chain).

The AIR pump shouldn't be too bad to remove, as long as you can either buy the AIR-pump-delete-pulley, or route the serpentine belt differently to bypass the missing pulley. I'm not too sure what has to be done, since I don't have an AIR pump I don't know the deal with 'em.

I don't know; hard call. You can't really go working on it before you bought it- what if you get it started & running fine? Does the price go up? I guess if he wants to sell it cheap, it's a good idea, because even if you can't get it to run, you could part it out to make the cash back... that is, if he doesn't ask much.


------------------
-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!