GMC problem... any ideas?

[DeanMoriarty]

I've held out, and I hate to post this here... but the GM forums SUCK, and I wouldn't expect to find anything helpful there. You all seem a lot more knowledgeable. Anyway, I'm totally kicking myself now for not taking *someones* advice here (What's up LBR, lol). I bought a 92 Jimmy, and it's been a f**king nightmare. Here's what I have if anyone can help me, I would so appreciate it.
The thing runs a little hot on the highway, about 215 I'd guess from the gauge.
It has a newer radiator, thermostat, O2 sensor and TBI.
I'm getting a service engine error about fuel too lean.
Last night, on the highway, it lost power and started making a noise I can only describe as sounding like popcorn popping, (quick little pops in rapid succession) which seemed to come from behind the engine.) Once I got off the highway, power returned and it seemed to run okay...
I'mma check the plugs / wires today. I've read it could be the catalytic converter? I'm hoping it's all one problem tied to the lean fuel, but I don't even know how to begin troubleshooting that. Help me get this POS running so I can get it off my hands, please?! This will be my first and last GM purchase.

 

[Dusty_Ranger]

id honestly say try the fuel injectors.plugs and wires and the cat and mayby the fuel and air filter. if its running to lean then that leads back to a filter or spark problem. from personal experince id try the stuff i listed i have a 89 chevy cavalier z24 and it did that stuff to and it needed a air filter and spark plugs and now its running perfectly so try that stuff and get back to me man cuz i prolly could help cuz like i said i have a cavalier and its alot alike oh also check the timing cuz if the timing is off that affects the camshaft which affects the valves and that could be a possibility wut engine do u got ? anyways get back to me ttyl

 

[DeanMoriarty]

Thanks for the reply... It's a 4.3 TBI. New injectors, new air filter.
I'm going to try a few of those things tomorrow and see what happens. Plugs and wires don't look bad, but they are kinda old. I have the same post here moved from "general discussion" explaining the problems in more detail if you'd want to take a look and let me know what you think. It's titled "Ok... I know I'll probably be shunned for this..." Thanks again, I hope I get this damned thing figured out.

 

[Dusty_Ranger]

anything new?

 

[Dusty_Ranger]

i mean problem or solution like that type of new

 

[baddis]

running warm maybe the clutch fan.

 

[DeanMoriarty]

Ah, nothing new. Waiting for a nice day to try replacing the fuel filter and give the thing a tune up. The air filter, injectors and throttle body are new. The lean fuel warning / crappy gas mileage has me more concerned right now than running a little warm. I checked the fan clutch, it appears to be in good shape and running strong. I've heard the water pump could be the problem... The Haynes manual says to check the lines going to and from the heater core and see if they're hot, if so, the water pump is doing it's job. They're hot, so I guess it's working...? I've heard GM's sometimes run 210 - 215 degrees, so, I guess I won't worry unless it gets hotter than that. I've also read about cleaning the "tube" not sure what it's called... by the fuel injectors with carb cleaner. I might try that and check the vacuum lines for leaks.

Oh, and the noise... yeah, I'm a jackass... I figured out it was the rear cargo window making noise... : /

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Sounds like a classic plugged cat syndrome.

Cut it off, weld in a striaght pipe, and be on your way.

later,
Dustin

 

[DeanMoriarty]

That's what I'm starting to think too. I've now replaced the fuel filter, plugs, wires, rotor, and cap... Still the same warning.
Searching through the maintenance records the guy gave me, I discovered they had an emissions diagnostic done 2 years ago that suggested the cat *may* need replacement. I'm quite sure they didn't replace it at that time.

 

[Kdawg532]

well my dads 01 blazer 4.3 did it and he got over 7000 dollars of work done to it and it never ran right so he traded it in for an 08 escape and the new 2.3 duratecs they are bad ass engines for a little 4 banger