C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

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Old May 26, 2016 | 07:14 AM
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Hi,
My 86 engine started acting strange and I am trying to figure out where to begin with diagnosis. It seems to idle fine and run down the road at steady rpm ok. When I accelerate though it starts missing badly. When idling there is a very noticeable tapping sound on the top of the engine. I did the old wooden stick to ear trick and the noise is coming, most pronounced, from the aluminum rail across the top of the engine, not from the valve covers or dist cap. How much trouble am I in? Thank you!

Last edited by 86couper; May 26, 2016 at 07:53 AM. Reason: Add info
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Old May 26, 2016 | 07:28 AM
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Do you mean the fuel rail? The injectors do make a clicking noise. Maybe pull the valve covers & check for loose rockers.
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Old May 26, 2016 | 11:18 PM
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The tapping noise your hearing is the injectors Firing. Normally they can sound like a mal adjusted lifter.

Your symptoms of bad acceleration can be one of many. Might take a bit of time to narrow to the real problem. Starting with fuel, can you measure the fuel pressure? Both idling and accelerating.

You can also check the fuel pressure regulator by pulling the vaccum line off and smelling for the presence of raw fuel. Should this be the case, you need to replace the FPR immediately.

Last edited by JrRifleCoach; May 27, 2016 at 12:42 AM.
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Old May 27, 2016 | 06:39 AM
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New dist cap/rotor/plugs/plug wires for the win!

Something electrical's breaking down when you get on it..
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Old May 27, 2016 | 07:19 AM
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Originally Posted by JrRifleCoach
The tapping noise your hearing is the injectors Firing. Normally they can sound like a mal adjusted lifter.

Your symptoms of bad acceleration can be one of many. Might take a bit of time to narrow to the real problem. Starting with fuel, can you measure the fuel pressure? Both idling and accelerating.

You can also check the fuel pressure regulator by pulling the vaccum line off and smelling for the presence of raw fuel. Should this be the case, you need to replace the FPR immediately.
Start with fuel

When was your last fuel filter change ?
Do you have a pressure gauge ?
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Old May 27, 2016 | 08:52 AM
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Originally Posted by JrRifleCoach
The tapping noise your hearing is the injectors Firing. Normally they can sound like a mal adjusted lifter.

Your symptoms of bad acceleration can be one of many. Might take a bit of time to narrow to the real problem. Starting with fuel, can you measure the fuel pressure? Both idling and accelerating.

You can also check the fuel pressure regulator by pulling the vaccum line off and smelling for the presence of raw fuel. Should this be the case, you need to replace the FPR immediately.
I do not have a pressure gauge. Once I locate the FPR I will check that. Thank you. If it is it terribly expensive I think I'll just replace it along with cap plugs etc. I am convinced it is fuel or electrical problem. I charged the battery on a trickle charger overnight and it ran fine for about 5 miles with no noise. Then the check engine light came on and a few miles later it acted up again, but not as bad and no noise still. Does the battery have to be at a certain charge or the charging need to be at a certain voltage for the fuel delivery to operate properly? Thank you to everyone for the replies.
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Old May 27, 2016 | 12:08 PM
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if the check engine light is on, pull the codes and let the car tell you whats wrong.
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Old Jun 6, 2016 | 06:57 AM
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Originally Posted by exitwound
New dist cap/rotor/plugs/plug wires for the win!

Something electrical's breaking down when you get on it..
Replaced cap/rotor/plugs/wires and that seems to have fixed the problem. Thank you.
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Old Jun 6, 2016 | 07:21 AM
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My pleasure..
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