87 Corvette..has A Problem
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: braintree ma
87 Corvette..has A Problem
Last night i was leaving work..i went to start my 87 vette 88k on the clock and it idled around 400 rpm and sounded like it had a lumpy cam in it ( it doesnt ) and was puffing out white smoke for about a mineut( usually just lets a puff out when i start it in the morning )..then it seemed to be fine but then last night i was comming through an intersection and i went to hit the gas and it bogged down and almost died and i had to hit the gas on and off every 2 seconds so it wouldnt stall..i finally pulled over and it stalled after idling at around 400..i let it sit all night and it seems fine this morning....please help..i just replaced the tps last week thinking that would help but im running out of money to just guess with
any help would be greatly appreciated
any help would be greatly appreciated
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
first off, you need to stop guessing. the best tool to help you with that is a Helm Factory Service Manual. www.helminc.com.
The manual has trouble shooting guides that will help a lot.
I would suggest you remove all 8 plugs... check them for any signs of coolant. It sounds almost like the head gasket has blown.
The manual has trouble shooting guides that will help a lot.
I would suggest you remove all 8 plugs... check them for any signs of coolant. It sounds almost like the head gasket has blown.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
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From: The Top of Utah
A puff of smoke on the first start up of the day should be blue and it is oil that has seeped past the valve stem seals. White smoke is steam, and as badly as you say it is running, I would check the level and condition of both the coolant and the oil. My first guess, with no more details, and not being there, is a blown head gasket. Maybe, hopefully, not.
RACE ON!!!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,694
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From: Beaverton Oregon
first off, you need to stop guessing. the best tool to help you with that is a Helm Factory Service Manual. www.helminc.com.
The manual has trouble shooting guides that will help a lot.
I would suggest you remove all 8 plugs... check them for any signs of coolant. It sounds almost like the head gasket has blown.
The manual has trouble shooting guides that will help a lot.
I would suggest you remove all 8 plugs... check them for any signs of coolant. It sounds almost like the head gasket has blown.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,099
Likes: 1,724
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Depending on how much white smoke there was, it could be the head gasket. A little in the morning could just be condensation in the exhaust and is not a problem, but you do need to check for oil in your coolant, coolant in the oil, and pull all the plugs to check this out.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,833
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From: Calgary, Alberta
Depending on how much white smoke there was, it could be the head gasket. A little in the morning could just be condensation in the exhaust and is not a problem, but you do need to check for oil in your coolant, coolant in the oil, and pull all the plugs to check this out.
Sounds like it is slowing drowning. I had the exact same thing happen to my Chevy 3500 Van, turned out to be the head gasket. Get it fixed before anything else happens.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: braintree ma
Thanks for the advice guys...i meant to say that it was oil smoke it did have a bluish tint to it..its definately not coolant white smoke..would there be any performance difference if the head gasket was blown.?? and last night when it was doing it , it looked like black smoke comming out leading me to think that there is a fuel problem..when the motor was idling at 400 all shakey you could hear the intake sucking really loud, but when i brought the rev up to about 1200 it went away..if that explains it anymore..ill take all the advice i can get
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
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From: seattle WA
There would be a performance issue with a blown head gasket. I'd do what the guys suggested as far as checking your oil for coolant etc. pull the plugs and have a look. Could be you have some foulded plugs, bad plug wire etc. You're not throwing any codes are you?
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
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Our same advice still applies, check out everything and eliminate other possible causes. You still need to pull the plugs, pronto. Then check the wires and other ignition components out.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 116
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From: Morrison IL
That sucks! Come to think of it so does mine!
Huh... My 87 just started running rough with the intake making a loud sucking sound. I'm really curious as to what that is.
Mine is not putting out the smoke like yours, but it smells rich. An initial check for vacuum leaks found nothing. I hope we both get some good ideas!
Mine is not putting out the smoke like yours, but it smells rich. An initial check for vacuum leaks found nothing. I hope we both get some good ideas!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Beaverton Oregon
I was two cars behind a Blazer one day while waiting for a DEQ Inspection when his head gasket blew. His Blazer became a Steam Locomotive. He pulled off the line and you could see his steam cloud for hundreds of yards as he left. Damndest thing I have ever seen.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by rich2004
Thanks for the advice guys...i meant to say that it was oil smoke it did have a bluish tint to it..its definately not coolant white smoke..would there be any performance difference if the head gasket was blown.?? and last night when it was doing it , it looked like black smoke comming out leading me to think that there is a fuel problem..when the motor was idling at 400 all shakey you could hear the intake sucking really loud, but when i brought the rev up to about 1200 it went away..if that explains it anymore..ill take all the advice i can get
RACE ON!!!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: braintree ma
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
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....think of it like this; you are running down the road and hit some debris and your car starts driving "funny" (all of a sudden after after a long drive and weeks of clean driving), all due to a break in the cord of the tire or wheel alignment. at any time the "drivability" of your car can change with conditions or wear and tear or age.......
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: The Pines South Jersey
changing the TPS is not like changing a light bulb,
it has adjust ability to be set up correct.
It is a position sensor - it has to be set up properly initially, so when you move the throttle the computer goes off of the reference (position).
it has adjust ability to be set up correct.
It is a position sensor - it has to be set up properly initially, so when you move the throttle the computer goes off of the reference (position).
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 2
From: port charlotte fl
just go to the top of this page,hit search and type in "setting a TPS" in posts and hit go.All will be relieved.(I meant revealed but maybe both apply!) Hope you have a digital multimeter.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 555
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From: RDU NC
I had a very similar experience in my 85 about 8 years ago... in the middle of the night in the middle of BFE alabama on my way to FL. Came up on a dead stop interstate traffic jam and turned the car off for an hour. When I fired it back up, barely idled and was coughing out the biggest cloud of smoke I've ever seen. I had to laugh, perfect end to an endless night as I thought about blown head gaskets, cracked block, etc. I thought wtf, I'll just drive it till the engine blows up or falls out. Once traffic cleared and I got cruising, the car ran fine and the smoke went away after a mile or two. Turned out to be the cat. Still running strong with 187k on the ticker.