VANITY - Car Question

12/1/05 | Bear_Slayer

[Bear_Slayer]

Can any Freeper suggest a good online resource for car questions? I have the Chilton manual for the car, but I looking to pick someone's brain.

Specifically: I need detailed information to solve a fuel problem for a 88 Chevy Spectrum.

[Little Pig]

For what it's worth, many 80s and early-90s GM cars could produce codes without a reader (at least my 84 Z28 and 86 Fiero GT would). Either the Chilton's or Haynes (or maby the internet) should give you the procedure. It involves using a piece of wire to jumper between two of the contacts on the diagnostic port. One of the idiot lights will flash the codes, which you can then interpret (whatever manual you get the procedure from should have the chart with the meanings).

[Old Professer]

Make sure the vacuum hose is good going to your MAP sensor located on the air filter housing (it looks like a black skinny matchbox) and then unplug the hose from the manifold to the charcoal canister (looks like a black coffee can made out of plastic with three hoses) behind the left headlight assembly and plug it with a golf tee or something similar and test drive the car.

[Flying Circus]

I beg to differ. I had a '84 Celebrity that did exactly that when the O2 sensor went out.

That POS did a lot of other things on a weekly basis, but that particular problem was fixed by a new O2 sensor. I ultimately found the problem with the car was it was a Chevy, replaced it and have had a very few problems since.

[freedomlover]

They were very light in the rear end. I have never dealt with snow but I hear the thing to do was to put about 200lb of sand bags in the rear.

[Bear_Slayer]

I did some reading on this and it might be the problem.

The car idles high and I've read that this can burn out the catalytic converter. Are these expensive to replace?

[Loyal Buckeye]

It depends on where you have them installed. I would try Midas or some similar muffler shop. OEM converters can be very expensive.

[Hegemony Cricket]

"Are these expensive to replace?"

Expect to pay about $100 - 140.

[MotleyGirl70]

LOL! You guys are baaaad.

[Fierce Allegiance]

Keith, post #37 may be of interest to you.

[Bear_Slayer]

I replaced the O2 sensor. It seemed to help some, but It still has the problem. Thanks to all that provided help.

[scott7278]

I guess that makes sense, but I only drove it once in the snow/ice and no more after that. The lightness and narrow tires made for a bad combination.

[Petronski]

Someone mentioned adding "gas antifreeze" to the tank. It's good advice, but I'm worried about the name.


Ask for "drygas." That way, you won't have some moron dumping Prestone in your tank because he was confused.

[Petronski]

I don't care who you are, that's funny right there...

[Rate_Determining_Step]

Usually a hundred to two hundred. The hard part is usually replacing it. If the exhaust is on the back of the engine (between the engine and firewall), fun days. If it's in front - between the engine and radiator, it shouldn't be too hard.

Although I usually turn my own wrench, but from Dec to Mar, I've been known to hire out a few jobs. Especially on cars I hate.