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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 General Board Posts >> Vehicularly Screwed - Fixed!!!
        
(Message started by: Gator on Jul 9^th, 2005, 7:05pm)

Title: Vehicularly Screwed - Fixed!!!
Post by Gator on Jul 9^th, 2005, 7:05pm

I have a 1994 Chevy Astro van, 4.3L V-6 (engine code Z) says Vortec on the valve covers. Throttle body injected. 216,000 miles.

I drove it to OKC and back and parked it at 6:30am. At that time I sat with the engine idling listening to the radio about the London bombings for a few minutes. Idled fine. At 7:45am that same day, when the wife tried to go to work, it started running like crap. More or less starts okay. Runs rough won't stay running unless I keep my foot on the gas. Also am getting the smell of gas like it's not burning it completely.

Has fresh plugs, wires, cap and rotor and air filter. Fuel pump and filter were replaced about 3 or 4 months ago.

Probably not bad gas. I traveled about 150 miles on this tank of gas before it started acting up. I use a fuel system cleaner about every 3 or 4 months - did so with this last tank and it was running great before this happened.

I don't think the catalytic converter is clogged, will check that.

I am off to town to get a new O2 sensor now.

My other vehicle is dead, too, so I am bumming rides from my son until I get this thing fixed. Help!

Title: Re: Vehicularly Screwed - Mechanic Needed
Post by maffumatt on Jul 9^th, 2005, 7:29pm

on 07/09/05 at 19:05:07, Gator wrote:

I don't think the catalytic converter is clogged, will check that.

I am off to town to get a new O2 sensor now.

!

That should fix it. If the exhaust has an eggy smell it is probably your catalytic converter

Title: Re: Vehicularly Screwed - Mechanic Needed
Post by Gator on Jul 9^th, 2005, 8:36pm

Got it! EGR valve was stuck. Taped it with a hammer a couple times and the van is running smooth as ever. Good thing, too. New EGR valve = $180.00. Yikes!

Thanks all.

Title: Re: Vehicularly Screwed - Mechanic Needed
Post by don on Jul 9^th, 2005, 8:41pm

Quote:

If they run, they're VC! If they stand still, they're well disciplined VC!
How can you shoot women and children? Easy. You just don't lead them as far.

Full Metal Jacket

Title: Re: Vehicularly Screwed - FIXED!
Post by Gator on Jul 9^th, 2005, 8:53pm

Quote:

Full Metal Jacket

Yup, I love that movie!

Title: Re: Vehicularly Screwed - Mechanic Needed
Post by don on Jul 9^th, 2005, 8:55pm

MIC-KEY

M-O-U-S-E

Title: Re: Vehicularly Screwed - Fixed!!!
Post by Opus on Jul 10^th, 2005, 12:11am

Gator,

For a perminate fix, take off the EGR valve, cut a peice of tin in the same shape as the mounting, including the bolt holes, but not any holes where the flow is suppose to happen. Then place the fix between the engine and valve and bolt it tight,

Opus/Paul

Title: Re: Vehicularly Screwed - Fixed!!!
Post by notseinfeld on Jul 10^th, 2005, 1:53am

For a permanent fix, grab a new BMW M-5 series black, convertible!

Title: Re: Vehicularly Screwed - Fixed!!!
Post by Gator on Jul 10^th, 2005, 4:46pm

on 07/10/05 at 01:53:58, notseinfeld wrote:

For a permanent fix, grab a new BMW M-5 series black, convertible!

BMW = Break My Wallet

Not on my list. I would like a '53 Corvette, a '57 Chevy Nomad and a '67 Chevy Camaro just to name a few.

Title: Re: Vehicularly Screwed - Fixed!!!
Post by BobG on Jul 10^th, 2005, 4:55pm

'57 Nomad? I like the '56 better.
The Beemer might be cheaper.

or a '57 T'bird.

Or a '57 Cadilac Eldorado Brougham.

But, the Beemer will be cheaper.

Title: Re: Vehicularly Screwed - Fixed!!!
Post by Racer1_NC on Jul 10^th, 2005, 5:02pm

I'll take one of these.....
http://i13.ebayimg.com/04/i/04/55/bd/56_3.JPG

And one of these....
http://carad.ebayimg.com/i23/02/a/04/6f/69/c4_4.JPG
With this under the hood....
http://carad.ebayimg.com/i1/02/a/03/f0/8c/7b_4.JPG

And for those lazy Sunday drives......
http://i8.ebayimg.com/01/i/04/77/b1/f8_3.JPG

Title: Re: Vehicularly Screwed - Fixed!!!
Post by Gator on Jul 10^th, 2005, 5:13pm

My first car - I traded an old Harrington & Richardson .410 single shot shotgun for a '65 Chevy when I was 16. Dude was an ex-con who wanted to hunt but couldn't legally buy a gun. Took 3 days of soldering holes in the radiator and transmission lines and tweaking and tuning to get it on the road. The old man was pissed! Said the other guy got the better end of the deal, but HEY! I had a car, damnit!

Then I had a '62 Rambler Country Classic Station Wagon with the push button automatic transmission. That was cool until the tranny died.

Next I got a '56 Chevy Bel Air. It was a 4 door. Biggest damned back seat you ever saw. ;;D

ah, the good old days...

Title: Re: Vehicularly Screwed - Fixed!!!
Post by BobG on Jul 10^th, 2005, 5:52pm

Hey Gator,
Do you get Hemmings Classic Car magazine? The August issue features the '62 Rambler Classic Custom. It has a picture of the pushbutton transmission/start/reverse controls. Cool old stuff.