Hi everyone. My names Matt. I live in South Jersey and have owned a 1988 corvette since 2020. Been a lurker of this forum since I got it. And it’s been very helpful as I didn’t even know how to change my oil before I got the car. Just decided to make an account today finally because She’s currently not running and I’m a little stumped after throwing a bunch of parts at it.

‘88 charcoal metallic paint and Greenwood kit!

 

Welcome to the forum.

Wait for someone to move this thread to the C4 Tech section of the forum. They'll be glad to help you.

 

Welcome, hope you get advice you need, first rule don't waste money throwing parts.

Now tell us what your problem, and what you replaced.

 

Okay cool. I guess I’ll just comment the problem in here.

Soo a couple months ago. I was driving the car to work and on the last road before I got into the parking lot I gunned it. After a few seconds some grey or white smoke was pouring out the back. Right before I parked it, it started to run like garbage and misfire. When I clocked out and got back in the car I found that all of the coolant was gone. It would start and then die after a few seconds. I got it towed back to my house.

I don’t know much about cars so I just read the c4 manual and this forum and threw a few parts at it.

I put in a new thermostat, all 8 spark plugs, O2 sensor, Maf sensor, fuel pressure regulator, fuel pump and all 8 injectors.

I figured it was fuel related because I bought a pressure gauge and when I primed the engine it would shoot up to 40psi and then immediately fall to 0. The last thing I did was the injectors. I bought refurbished Bosch ones from South Bay injectors. After replacing them I tested the fuel pressure and this time the pressure would hold after priming. However after I put everything back together the car was even harder to start. It back fires from the throttle body and shoots flames out of it when I have the air intake duct off. After a bit of trying to start it with it being jumped it eventually starts but it still runs very poorly and will die after a few minutes.

not sure where to go from here. My friends dad thinks it’s timing related. Posting here as a last resort before I take it to the corvette shop and they take my arm and leg for payment lol.

 

Hi Matt,

Welcome to this great Vette Forum. Tons of info here to help you with your problem...

Jud

 

What did the plugs look like when you removed them? Whats the oil look and smell like?
Almost sounds like the head(s) gasket.....where did all the coolant go?.... let us know

 

I changed the oil right after that but I don’t recall the color being off. The color looks fine now but it does smell a little like gas. when I took the old plugs out they were all pretty gunked up with I think oil.

I originally thought it was the head gasket when this first happened. I did buy this tester that looks like a turkey baster and tested for the exhaust gas at the radiator. The chemical never changed color which made me think that it wasn’t a blown head gasket. But I’m not sure how accurate those tests are.

also I have no idea where the coolant went. I thought maybe it just burned off? But the reservoir was bone dry.

 

Hard to see but that ground strap looks like its touching the center electrode?

 

I threw them out after I replaced them so I can’t look. But I remember the ground strap being bent and touching. They were all in pretty bad shape.

 

I’m guessing there’s a couple problems going on. Because the fuel pressure wasn’t holding until I replaced the fuel injectors. But now it’s added backfiring and flames to its list of issues with it running like crap.

 

Are you saying that when you opened the Coolant tank cover it was bone dry or are you talking about the overflow tank? When you said you show "white smoke" it makes a case for a possible head casket failure, What maintenance have you done on the car since you got it?

 

Sorry to say but if those plug grounds were bent, that's not good. That would be a physical interference issue.

 

I mean the over flow. It hasn’t had much maintenance from me. But I’ve had a couple break downs when I first got it that resulted in me sending it to the corvette mechanic. That was a fuel pump that failed. Another time the mechanic replaced the distributor and something with the ignition. The last owner had a msd box in it and I was told that it made the car run badly so he took that out. And the last thing that was replaced before this break down was the diff because it was damaged. The cars automatic but had a 3.07 in it.

also I put a new belt in it, alternator, and the tensioner. The belt snapped a month into ownership

 

When you say Corvette mechanic are you talking about dealership or the only other one close to you would be Conte's in Vineland? How many miles on it?

 

Yeah Ive taken it there and to corvette paramedic in mt holly also. I was trying to avoid doing that again because its way to expensive so I just been learning how to do things myself but I’m thinking this problem may be a little too advanced for me.

it’s got about 135-140k on the odometer. I’m not sure if that’s exactly accurate tho. It seems like it turns over faster than normal. My speedometer is a little fast like 70mph on it is actually 50mph. That’s probably because the upgraded diff.

 

Turning over faster? Flames out intake? I'm starting to think bent valve/broken spring...

At this point you need to take plugs back out and look. Borrow a bore camera if you have to. Do a compression test......I know it sucks but pull valve covers off as well..... Even pull distributor cap off and watch it spin while you crank engine (doubt it, but broken timing chain possible) engine would not start or run if that happened....

Maybe i missed it,, but you said you changed oil before this...have you looked at its condition since?

 

I changed the oil after it happened. The oil looked fine in color. I just pulled the dipstick again to see and it looks normal except it smells like gas.

I’ll have to buy a compression tester and a camera soon then. When you say to pull the valve covers is that just to inspect the valves?

 

Before you take it back to mechanic you can do some basic trouble shooting. First check the fuel pressure at prime and see how long it holds; You can check ohms at each injector to ensure they are within spec. You can check spark at the plugs. I'm not a wiz, but just in Mays Landing so would be able to look at it with you. During the week work is too crazy, but could find time during a weekend.

Lots of good people here who can provide you with other possible tests to try.

 

Pull valve covers and just look at springs and rockers, yes.. especially while cranking engine with coil disabled...if you broke something there its probably going to be obvious.