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1988 Pontiac Firebird hard to start and poor performance 30

Tiny
TRISTANB
  • MEMBER
  • 1988 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
Engine Performance problem
1988 Pontiac Firebird V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic? Miles

when starting I usually have to turn the car over for a good 5 seconds or so and usually with the pedal to the floor to get it to start and when it does fire up I have to feather the gas for about another 10 seconds till it reaches normal idle. Occasionally it surges 3-500 rpm when at a light or in park. The idle is not high and it emits quite a bit of blue smoke. I have tried several adjustment on the timing but have had not much change.
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Monday, May 4th, 2009 AT 6:31 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Try this check coolant temperature sensor resistances, also clean out the idle air control valve also the EGR valve to include fuel pressure check then report back with some results

For the blue smoke-the combustion chamber is leaking-possible valves/stems/seals/ rings and cylinder wear
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Monday, May 18th, 2009 AT 4:52 PM
Tiny
TRISTANB
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It only smokes when this happens, I may be misjudging the color. I definitely know that its not burning all of the fuel that it takes in, I can smell straight gas in the exhaust. I know fuel pressure and volume is good, you guys already helped me solve that one.
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Monday, May 18th, 2009 AT 6:48 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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I definitely know that its not burning all of the fuel that it takes in, I can smell straight gas in the exhaust.

Running rich

Possible causes include a bad O2 sensor, excessive fuel pressure (bad fuel pressure regulator or plugged return line), leaky fuel injectors, dirty air filter or restricted air inlet, or a defective coolant sensor that prevents the engine management system from going into closed loop mode
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Monday, May 18th, 2009 AT 7:06 PM
Tiny
TRISTANB
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  • 34 POSTS
I will definitly check the temp sensors, I had that problem in a Fiero, the engine was hard to start and never dropped its idle. That will be the first thing I do, I have checked all of the fuel lines and replaced the regulator as part of my trouble shooting for the previous issue
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Monday, May 18th, 2009 AT 8:13 PM
Tiny
TRISTANB
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  • 34 POSTS
Its definitely not the sensor, cap or rotor. I know I need new plugs and wires though now. I'm down 2-3 cylinders. I'm getting roughly 8-9 mpg.
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Thursday, May 21st, 2009 AT 8:39 PM
Tiny
TRISTANB
  • MEMBER
  • 34 POSTS
Ok so I have changed out the plugs and wires, its running better but still feels and sounds like its missing, and still pluming a light colored smoke when its given gas. In addition to this the rear pipes on the driver side coming from the plenum to the intake manifold are cold while its running... like refrigerator cold... to the point that they condensate


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/344319_tpi_manifold_1.jpg

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Saturday, May 30th, 2009 AT 12:09 PM
Tiny
TRISTANB
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  • 34 POSTS
Also throwing codes 32, 34, 42, 44, and 45
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Sunday, May 31st, 2009 AT 9:16 AM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
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Hi
Code 45 rich Code 44 lean pull connector from O2 place Volt meter between O2 term and ground what is voltage? Rev up engine does voltage change?
Code 42 possible Ignition control module my experence replace not much $ and will cause all kinds of trouble.
Code 34 MAF sensor try cleaning and look for any leakes in air plenum. Disconnect wire run does code 33 set? If yes replace
Code 32 EGR maybe solenoid or not seating pull off and clean carbon out.
Let me know
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Monday, June 1st, 2009 AT 3:14 PM
Tiny
TRISTANB
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  • 34 POSTS
Well here is what today produced, before I got to read your reply. I replaced the IAC, this produced a little less smoke. We pulled the plenum and replaecd the gasket between the throttle body and the plenum, it had some cracks/ holes. We also cleaned the throttle body out. Rechecked the timing and rechecked the TPS, all good. It starts but tries to die if ANY gas is applied. Still smokes. Rom there we went to injectors and unplugged them on at a time to see if it made any difference (exhaust smoke still smells of unburnt gas). Some made a noticeable difference and some yielded odd results; example: When number 8 was unplugged, the car produced ALOT more smoke, lightly colored.
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Monday, June 1st, 2009 AT 4:23 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
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Check fuel pressure regulator make sure vacuum is present. Also see if fuel in line
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Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 AT 11:50 AM
Tiny
TRISTANB
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  • 34 POSTS
Have also already gone through the vacuum lines and so on, fuel pressure. Volume rather, was my first issue with this car.
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Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009 AT 4:14 PM

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