that cylinder strength thing is one step in diagnosis. it does not actually confirm a weak cylinder. test properly
that cylinder strength thing is one step in diagnosis. it does not actually confirm a weak cylinder. test properly
I forgot one more test: the RUNNING compression test. It is a bit of a pain to run (hot engine), but can reveal some things that can be missed on a cylinder leakage test. Lifters that are pumping up too far (but only with the engine running), and holding a valve slightly open.
Had it happen to me when somehow the lifter lost its wire retainer for the pushrod cup, and had unlimited travel hydraulically.
Hopefully, the intake leaks are sealed now, and a second vacuum reading is in order.
running compression test on stock b body manifolds isnt a realistic undertaking at all
the problem you describe would show up on a vac gauge for sure
There are other problems it finds, and will confirm a cylinder leakage test. My tool bill is unrealistic, though. Tons of one-time wonders at my disposal, but it gets me there. If it were a trans am, I would agree. The b-body manifolds are a cake walk compared to the wretched sports car.
Thanks for the tip on posting files.
our plan is to go over everything externally and use EEHACK to guide us with electronic issues. Then we’ll get into more mechanical issues. This car ran perfect for 6-7000 miles then over night began with the problem.initially I thought it was a transmission problem but it really does work perfectly..maybe not as I would like but as it was designed.
Dang, I accidentally closed this before posting and lost it. I had s stoke a bout a month ago that has left me with some double vision up close so typing is a challenge. As I have to select letters where I can’t see them.
Anyway.it snowed 6” of wet snow last night so I didn’t go out to the shop.
My so got a new MAP sensor as the gasket was mangled on the original one. We straightened it out some but it was cracked and I dint want an issue back on the car. It still works but it is a question mark.
The car idles smoothly as far as the rpm reading but you can hear themiss and feel it at the exhaust pipe.
He was going to get another pair of O2 sensors as he feels these are not right. On EEHACK if you look at them the trace is a very jagged line. Those of you that had penmanship in grade school will remember the lead in to cursive writing. LOL
We spent most of the afternoon just going over the motor, looking for issues externally. We found several connections not connected and harnesses not in the proper place. The plugin with multiple vacuum Lin’s has cracked lines so my son is going to try to get a replacement. Otherwise we’ll figure out alternate hookup. The fuel pressure vacuum line was not hooked up the EGR vacuum line was not hooked up and another line I forgot what it was also not hooked up..
At least the oil was changed as I had requested months ago.
They were going to work on it last night but I didn’t hear from them probably due to the weather. I won’t get out again until the weekend
He should have his test equipment back then too.
here are a few pictures.
the first the missed fitting is to the left and down just a little.
the second is the MAP sensor gasket safer straighting the best we could.
the third might be the fuel pressure regulator, not sure however.
these are just a few or the things we found. Over all I’m greatly disappointed on the work. I know I got a deal on it but ...the old saying you get what you pay for. As old as I am I’m still learning my lessons if life...sadly LOL
BYRON
Last edited by Bentwings; 11-27-2019 at 08:03 PM.
Sounds like the other guy.....let's just call him 2-cycle-john.....was in over his head. I wonder if carburetors frighten him. I just hope the vacuum and vent hoses to the distributor are still in place.
Last edited by vilefly; 11-28-2019 at 05:51 AM.
That line is in place and clean. My son just reported that the spark test was great. It maxed out the tester and he even got juiced once by it. So good news there.
My grand son likes the EEHACK. He likes that it allows editing but he says he won’t do it until he has his own . Might be a while as they are Ford guys.
The vacuum line in the picture was also open...not hooked to anything. I’ll have to ask where it was supposed to be connected or if it was just a blank and supposed to be plugged.
They won’t get to do any more until Friday.
you really can't even begin to work on this car without isolating the engine from any suspected bad vacuum plumbing. having open hose barbs on the manifold definitely will cause the engine to run horribly.
that map sensor seal actually looks kinda normal, they're always a bit squishy but rarely leak. if you wanted to buy just the seal itself i have a mercury marine part number for it somewhere, it's a few bucks, for some reason it's hard to find in the automotive world.
Thanks for the info. I looked up much of your sig. and passed this on to my son and grand son.
The gasket was much worse than the picture. We straightened it out enough to continue testing. It would be nice to have a spare on hand.
They may be working on the car now. I’ll know more tonight.
Well, good news for a change.The new MAP sensor got the vac up to a little over 16 almost 17 inches. Then adding tested and known good O2 sensors got it just over 19 inches at idle. My son says it runs much better. He is going to put a few miles on it tomorrow and see if it cleans out a bit. Then they will put the scanner on it and record where we are at. I’m curious to see what the new O2 sensors look like on the scanner. The air cleaner only has a few miles on it so I think we’ll leave it alone.
I don’t know if they put a fuel filter on or not but I think it would be a good idea.
p
If all goes well I’d like to fix the right exhaust pipe. It looks like it got hit by something backing up. It hangs down too far and looks terrible. Not a big deal but I just don’t like exhaust pipes that face the wrong way. I really hope it’s finally fixed. It’s going to get brutally cold next week and more snow. The el Camino is just a handful in the snow that I don’t need.
They are going to try and bring the car to me then take the el Camino back and fix the idle, change oil and a couple other fixes I’ve had to delay.
So that’s it for now.
I want to thank everyone for all the help and tips and tests. I hope this finally fixed this car. I’ll know more
tomorrow afternoon.
Byron.
Looks like 2-cycle-john is out of a job. Failed miserably in his work. Didn't even find a single vacuum leak, and you guys found them all. He is so fired. No worthy of his own scan tool which would have told him about an inaccurate MAP sensor reading KOEO.
I’m bending over ready for the butt kicking. My son drove the car around quite a bit today but it started missing again. He parked it in his shop to cool off. After a couple hours he tried it again. It started right up and ran fine for about five minutes then started missing. So he shut it off and let it sit for awhile. Grandson noticed AF leaking all over. So they raised up and it’s pouring out of the “new water pump”. So they pulled the vacuum lines off the Opti and AF drained out. They blew a little air through it gently then started it without the lines. It ran fine but water was still pouring out of the water pump.
Give me a boot. I had a new WP install so it would not be a problem later. Supposedly a new old stock Opti too. Looks like I got taken to the cleaners. I told them to take pictures before they fix it. And take a scan from cold start until it starts missing. I need the car and I’m out of time. I’ll deal with the other guy Mon.I know...ya all told me there were issues in the manner the testing was going.
I need to go outside and cool off. More later.
Byron
months of diagnosis work that starts with 'it can't be _____ i just replaced that' ends with 'it was the ______ all along'
Time to make 2-cycle-john's shop public knowledge, so we can drop off small bags on fire on his doorstep. It's standard proceedure, you know. Sounds like he didn't replace a thing.
Bookmarks