So, here is the story. A coworker's son (17) just bought himself his first car. A 1991 Isuzu Trooper for $1400 from a kid in the east mountains. It has a Chevy 2.8L V6 TBI under the hood. Factory. Over the last week I've been helping him get the thing running right. As of yesterday, it didn't pass smog. Close, but no cigar.
Over the last week we have been doing a general baseline on PM, and replacing a few things thanks to a CEL. Some of the PO items discovered so far:
The OX sensor was hard wired in ... and seized. What should have taken 10 minutes took over an hour. This was a generic sensor that was soldered and shrink tubed into the wiring. Fortunately, the new sensor had a Weather Pack connector and I was able to fix it properly. Then it was seized into the pipe. A good soaking with PB Blaster, and it was finally removed.
The PO told us that the CEL had come on, but he took it to a "mechanic" who solved the problem. How? By removing the bulb of course. grrrrrrrr. The mom took it to a "real" mechanic who was able to "read the codes" for $80. I kept telling her to get a manual. Well, finally she did. The procedure to pull the codes? Plug two wires together under the center console and count the flashes. So easy I had the son do it.
As I said, it failed smog. Today we gave it a tune up. Ever try to time a Chevy 2.8L V6? What a f'n pain in the butt. Anybody have the sst to reach the dang dizzy bolt? I managed to get the bolt loose to change the timing, but I'm not convinced I have it tight. Oh, the engine was timed at 0 degrees. Spec was 10 degrees. I took it to 12 degrees. I think it runs better now.
Here is Jared with his new ride:
Over the last week we have been doing a general baseline on PM, and replacing a few things thanks to a CEL. Some of the PO items discovered so far:
The OX sensor was hard wired in ... and seized. What should have taken 10 minutes took over an hour. This was a generic sensor that was soldered and shrink tubed into the wiring. Fortunately, the new sensor had a Weather Pack connector and I was able to fix it properly. Then it was seized into the pipe. A good soaking with PB Blaster, and it was finally removed.
The PO told us that the CEL had come on, but he took it to a "mechanic" who solved the problem. How? By removing the bulb of course. grrrrrrrr. The mom took it to a "real" mechanic who was able to "read the codes" for $80. I kept telling her to get a manual. Well, finally she did. The procedure to pull the codes? Plug two wires together under the center console and count the flashes. So easy I had the son do it.
As I said, it failed smog. Today we gave it a tune up. Ever try to time a Chevy 2.8L V6? What a f'n pain in the butt. Anybody have the sst to reach the dang dizzy bolt? I managed to get the bolt loose to change the timing, but I'm not convinced I have it tight. Oh, the engine was timed at 0 degrees. Spec was 10 degrees. I took it to 12 degrees. I think it runs better now.
Here is Jared with his new ride:
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