Black Smoke
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Aurora IL.
Black Smoke
I just got my first corvette!
My dad past away 12-22-2009.
He gave me his baby.
Drove it home with some trouble half way home.
Everyone told me it needed a tune up.
But I think it much more.
It was unning rough but had normal running conditions until half way home. It began to die a stops and would not idle. I started to blow big bad black smoke. I thing I am deep trouble with this. I had a 1987 Iroc 350 tpi years ago and did some fuel injection work to her but want to get on the right track before spending tons of money replaceing good parts. So far I did a basic tune up. Plugs cap and rotor. Have been through the forums and found some things that could do this. But maybe someone has had this happen to them. I like to say I am happy to join the forum and plan to be a member for life as this corvette will be pass on to my family in the future. Thanks to all who have help others and maybe me too.
My dad past away 12-22-2009.
He gave me his baby.
Drove it home with some trouble half way home.
Everyone told me it needed a tune up.
But I think it much more.
It was unning rough but had normal running conditions until half way home. It began to die a stops and would not idle. I started to blow big bad black smoke. I thing I am deep trouble with this. I had a 1987 Iroc 350 tpi years ago and did some fuel injection work to her but want to get on the right track before spending tons of money replaceing good parts. So far I did a basic tune up. Plugs cap and rotor. Have been through the forums and found some things that could do this. But maybe someone has had this happen to them. I like to say I am happy to join the forum and plan to be a member for life as this corvette will be pass on to my family in the future. Thanks to all who have help others and maybe me too.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 549
Likes: 13
From: Richmond VA
May need a little more information. What year is the vette and what type of motor is it (LT1....). did the car sit for a long period. Black smoke is Fuel being rich but it can be caused by several things (injectors, O2 sensor, ignition...)
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Shelton Connecticut
My condolences on your Dad. Welcome to our group. There are some great folks here. I am sure you will get the help you need. Sorry that I don't know enough to give you any ideas, but keep checking back here. Someone who knows what they are talking about will chime in.
Again, condolences. Enjoy his legacy to you.
Again, condolences. Enjoy his legacy to you.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,566
Likes: 4
From: Mt Laurel NJ
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Sorry about your father, and welcome to the madness. You should always tell us what year your car is when asking a question, as C4's have several different engines. The first thing you need is an FSM (Factory Service Manual), as they are worth there weight in gold for the money and aggravation they will save you.
Again, welcome, and post some pictures of your car.
Again, welcome, and post some pictures of your car.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Aurora IL.
reply to black smoke
Thanks
My c4 is a 1986 with a 350 tpi cast iron heads.
Has been in storage for a long time maybe two years.
Exhaust has no mufflers just a y pipe at the end with dual tips on each side.
Runs like crap does have power when hitting hard.
I believe it is ready for injectors but what up with black smoke?
My c4 is a 1986 with a 350 tpi cast iron heads.
Has been in storage for a long time maybe two years.
Exhaust has no mufflers just a y pipe at the end with dual tips on each side.
Runs like crap does have power when hitting hard.
I believe it is ready for injectors but what up with black smoke?
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 549
Likes: 13
From: Richmond VA
Being that you have replaced the cap, rotor, wires and plugs I would check the injectors to make sure they are working properly.
Black smoke (not blue) is a bad rich (fuel) issue. I have a LT1 so maybe someone else will chime in but getting fresh fuel and a good fuel system cleaner would be a start then check the injectors for proper operation.
Black smoke (not blue) is a bad rich (fuel) issue. I have a LT1 so maybe someone else will chime in but getting fresh fuel and a good fuel system cleaner would be a start then check the injectors for proper operation.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,629
Likes: 28
From: FL
Again welcome and deepest sympathy on the loss of your Dad. Lots of good ideas posted already, something else to check is the fuel pressure regulator, if the diaphragm leaks the engine will pull fuel through the vacuum line directly into the intake. Remove the vacuum line with the engine off, look and smell for raw fuel in the line.
Also a good idea to check for fault codes, here is a link to the procedure using nothing but a paper clip.
http://www.corvettephotographs.com/c4vettes/codes.htm
If you do retrieve codes post them here and the members should be able to help diagnose the problem, but always test parts if possible before replacement, a code does not necessarily mean a part is bad.
Also a good idea to check for fault codes, here is a link to the procedure using nothing but a paper clip.
http://www.corvettephotographs.com/c4vettes/codes.htm
If you do retrieve codes post them here and the members should be able to help diagnose the problem, but always test parts if possible before replacement, a code does not necessarily mean a part is bad.
Good advice
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Aurora IL.
Ok guys no check engine light at all not even when I turn the key to on position. It did come on a couple of time on my way home from dads. When the engine began to miss. But not anymore even when I try to run codes. Could this be a bad bulb losse chip in ecm?
I know the light sould come on as a test when key is turned to on position without the jumper in place. Engine runs but misses and still black smoke.
I know the light sould come on as a test when key is turned to on position without the jumper in place. Engine runs but misses and still black smoke.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,629
Likes: 28
From: FL
Might be a good idea to figure out why the light will not illuminate, could be something simple but could also indicate a problem with the ECM. The flow chart below is from the 93 book, if the pictures are too small to read send me a PM with an e-mail address and I will send them as an attachment.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,740
Likes: 2
From: Winchester Virginia
Have you had a chance to pull your codes on the DIC, and if so what did you get?
Also, have you pulled any of the plugs to see what the condition of them are, and verified your spark?
It's hard to following what may be a timing/fuel/??? issue without having more info to help narrow this one down. It's easy to throw parts on a car, but throwing parts has proven time and time again to be a waste of money and doesn't always fix the problem.
First things first, and that would be to check your codes and if you don't have a jumper, use the paper clip method.
R/Noland
P.S. Where are you located? maybe someone close to you could lend a hand!
Also, have you pulled any of the plugs to see what the condition of them are, and verified your spark?
It's hard to following what may be a timing/fuel/??? issue without having more info to help narrow this one down. It's easy to throw parts on a car, but throwing parts has proven time and time again to be a waste of money and doesn't always fix the problem.
First things first, and that would be to check your codes and if you don't have a jumper, use the paper clip method.
R/Noland
P.S. Where are you located? maybe someone close to you could lend a hand!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 858
Likes: 5
From: Fl,USA
I just got my first corvette!
My dad past away 12-22-2009.
He gave me his baby.
Drove it home with some trouble half way home.
Everyone told me it needed a tune up.
But I think it much more.
It was unning rough but had normal running conditions until half way home. It began to die a stops and would not idle. I started to blow big bad black smoke. I thing I am deep trouble with this. I had a 1987 Iroc 350 tpi years ago and did some fuel injection work to her but want to get on the right track before spending tons of money replaceing good parts. So far I did a basic tune up. Plugs cap and rotor. Have been through the forums and found some things that could do this. But maybe someone has had this happen to them. I like to say I am happy to join the forum and plan to be a member for life as this corvette will be pass on to my family in the future. Thanks to all who have help others and maybe me too.
My dad past away 12-22-2009.
He gave me his baby.
Drove it home with some trouble half way home.
Everyone told me it needed a tune up.
But I think it much more.
It was unning rough but had normal running conditions until half way home. It began to die a stops and would not idle. I started to blow big bad black smoke. I thing I am deep trouble with this. I had a 1987 Iroc 350 tpi years ago and did some fuel injection work to her but want to get on the right track before spending tons of money replaceing good parts. So far I did a basic tune up. Plugs cap and rotor. Have been through the forums and found some things that could do this. But maybe someone has had this happen to them. I like to say I am happy to join the forum and plan to be a member for life as this corvette will be pass on to my family in the future. Thanks to all who have help others and maybe me too.
A replacement is available at autozone or you can buy an adjustable one with the diaphram from TPIS.
John
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Aurora IL.
I have check fuel pressure reg. not leaking gas. Plugs gap tips burned off around pin only center of tip left. But can not get to codes engine lite no working plan to check out bulb issue sunday when it warms up out here in chicago. Have used TPIS before good guys over there. When I get check engine lite to work I will post codes here. Thanks for the help so far. I know we can get this vette running like a wild one soon.
