A New Formula In Our Stall

[GTRS Fiero]

We know the cat isn't clogged, right?

[TopNotch]

I think it's going to live.
Today before the meeting I checked the continuity between the TPS connector and the PCM connector. All wires good.
I re-connected the PCM connector but left the TPS connector off and started the car. It ran exactly the same as with the TPS connected.
After the meeting I turned the key on and checked the reference voltage at the TPS connector -- good.
Then I plugged it back onto the TPS, and measured resistance at the PCM connector. Infinity.
So I removed the TPS to see if it might be bad. And then I discovered the problem. Two of the pins on it were bent. Here's the thing. While the engine is a 94-95 type, the throttle body is DEFINITELY a 96 model, because that's the only TPS that will fit it. And while the connector will fit that TPS, it's a loose fit, and if you're not careful, you can push it on crooked and bend the pins.
So I straightened the pins, made sure I could plug the connector on without bending them, and then put everything back together.
Now the car seems to respond properly to the throttle. I still need to fix the coolant system, because the last time i test drove it, it was leaking coolant after a short drive. But I think she'll be alive soon.
 

[GTRS Fiero]

That's great news!  Good sleuthing.  It's always the simple things.

[Fierofool]

 

[MikeMac]

Bent sensor pins have chewed my butt many times.

Good work Pat!!

[GTRS Fiero]

On my digital EGR, one of the pins pushed down into the solenoid.  I pulled the pin back up, but changed EGR valves, anyway.

[Raydar]

Very cool, Pat! Good show!

[TopNotch]

Update on the engine. If it wasn't for a coolant leak, I think I could drive it around. But there's a long hose from the engine down to the driver side coolant tube that's leaking. It's similar to the hose on that side of a duke, and that hose is no longer available. I had to use a do-it-yourself corrugated hose on my duke to replace that hose, and will probably have to do the same on the 3800.
But the engine also sounds like it has a bad lifter. The tapping you hear in this recording seems to be coming from the top area of the engine.
Engine idling

[Fierofool]

I have had an exhaust manifold leak and a stuck injector sound like a bad lifter.  I have a mechanic's stethoscope I can loan you to check the injectors.  I think they're all visible on the 3800 aren't they? 

I also have 3 3800 emblems to go on the car.  They were part of what came with it.  I guess he was going to put one on each side, maybe the quarter windows or C pillar or maybe even on the sides of the front fenders, and one on the rear.  I can get this stuff to you Monday if you want them. 

[Raydar]

...
 The tapping you hear in this recording seems to be coming from the top area of the engine.
Engine idling

It doesn't sound so bad in the recording. Not to say that it doesn't sound worse in person, though.
I might be inclined to drive it around for a bit and see if things don't "tighten up".

Again... good show.

[TopNotch]

I ordered this kit to replace the leaking hose. Since it comes with 4 ends and 48" of corrugated metal hose, I'll have enough to fix another bad hose if I find one.

[GTRS Fiero]

When I got my Fiero back after the engine swap, it sounded like that.  Like a sewing machine.  The problem ended up being that the valve lash was adjusted incorrectly.

[TopNotch]

Today I took of that long hose, and found it to be fine. Maybe the clamp at the top was leaking and running down it. But ion any case, I put everything back together and made sure all hose clamps were tight, and refilled the cooling system. I noticed that the overflow bottle in front was filling up as I added coolant in the back. That ain't supposed to happen. Turns out that it had the wrong kind of radiator cap. See this page of the Ogre's cave. So I went to the parts store and got the right one. After the coolant system was filled, I idled it until it was warm. No leaks.
So I cleaned it up a bit, and drove it around the block. It did better than any previous drive, but it is missing on one cylinder, and I think it's an injector. But the best part is that it didn't overheat or leak.

[GTRS Fiero]

Plenty of power?

[TopNotch]

Plenty of power?

More power than before. The last time I drove it, I had trouble just backing it into the driveway. This time, I didn't even have to touch the gas pedal It backed into the driveway idling (It's an automatic).