you think cracked heads?

[1987surfranger]

i got a 1987 2.9 that running like crap, the idle surges and engine is shaking bad. now the truck has been sitting for a while but there is a lot of oil on the headers... so if i put the two together you think it means the heads are cracked? or could it just be the gaskets are bad... i havent started changing stuff or replacing anything yet. i did put some high mileage oil that will hopefully swell up the engine seals... any help would be great!

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Sounds like your valve cover gaskets are just leaky. Buy the rubber ones with the metal core. I think they're made by Fel-pro? Mine never leaked another drop after switching to the rubber variety, and I had changed several sets before and they ALWAYS leaked.

As far as the shaking, that could just be a plug wire or plug. check to see that you have fire to all cylinders. Check it with a new plug while grounding it to the block somewhere.

GB

 

[Area 52]

Drain fuel tank and put in fresh fuel if it's been sitting a long time.

 

[1987surfranger]

i did drain the fuel (for got to mention that) ill check the plugs later this week, thanks for the tip on fel-pro...new gaskets are way cheaper then new heads...

 

[Psychopete]

Check your oil for coolant if you think your heads are cracked. You will also have some coolant loss, no coolant loss and not in oil, no worries. Check over your vacuum lines if it's running like it has a really lopey cam. If it's been setting a while, do a good tune up to rule out those as being the problem. (Fuel filter, oil/filter, plugs/wires, PCV valve, etc) Gotta keep on that stuff anyway.

Pete

 

[1987surfranger]

thanks pete, no coolant loss so must just be leaky gaskets... ill go down that check list and hope that fixs the problem.

 

[Area 52]

The idle control valve may be binding or stuck in one position and cannot modulate intake air. Consider removing and cleaning. After unbolting it from the manifold, remove the 2 screws holding the solenoid and then clean it up with some throttle body or carb cleaner spray. Saturate it and then block the holes with your fingers and shake vigorously (wear eye protection). You may have to do this a couple time until you see what comes out looks clean.
Where are you located?

 

[1987surfranger]

mission viejo area, bout 25-30 min from newport...the idle kinda smooths out as it gets warmer, could it still be the idle control valve?

 

[piotrsko]

bet you that there is smoke or black soot emminating from the exhaust pipe end.

sounds like classic '87 sensor problem.

start with pulling codes, but you may not get any codes indicating a problem.

 

[Area 52]

bet you that there is smoke or black soot emminating from the exhaust pipe end.

sounds like classic '87 sensor problem.

start with pulling codes, but you may not get any codes indicating a problem.

Do you mean the coolant temp sensor?

 

[1987surfranger]

there was smoke out the pipe, then i put some high mileage oil in, new gas with injector cleanner and i have put about 20 miles on it, the engine only shakes when cold now... and from what i can tell there is no more smoke out the pipe! i did pull codes when it was running crapy and got some random one. but ill try it again since its running better and see what it says... whats the best place to get new sensors and parts? lmctruck.com? thanks for the suggestions guys

 

[1987surfranger]

ok drove it around a bit to warm it up then i got a code 22 which in the book i have says "manifold absolute pressure (map) sensor or barometric pressure (bp) sensor- signal voltage out of specification (engine off) or not at normal vacuum levels (engine running)

soooo.....

 

[Cyberbeer]

Make sure the MAP sensor is fully connected. Check the vacuum line coming of the intake to it MAP, make sure its not cracked. If those are in order, time to replace MAP sensor. Think I got 1 for bout 20 bux.

 

[1987surfranger]

so anybody have a place they buy new sensors and stuff? the only one i know of is lmctruck.com.... anybody got some good places?

 

[RustedRanger]

Rockauto.com is cheaper on a lot of parts if you can wait. I been getting parts at Orielly's,Autozone and Advance,I check online first to see who has what cheaper.