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Redfallon · 08-03-2004, 08:56 AM

Well time for a little bit of an update/vent here

Tore the thing apart, computer had two bent pins on the middle cable, hence the cable was slightly loose, re-hooked it, then thanx to my friends $2500 snap-on scanner, found the problem to be the IAC (idle air control) valve. Replaced, ran good after a couple minutes of "reset time". Then began running hot. 230F stop/go traffic driving for around 30min. Thought "maybe t-stat just stuck closed" even though I've *never* had one stick closed. Little housing on side of block, two bolts, no problems ehh? Removed housing, no t-stat...turns out 1994 and up they moved it to the water pump housing. Spend next three to four hours trying to get to the t-stat by removing/loosening various brackets, parts, etc. Little metal "down tube" that holds t-stat is wedged between engine pan, tranny pan. Decided, Fri night around midnight, maybe tomorrow morning would reveal more. Sat still couldn't get the pipe completely out, got it down enough to find it has *no* t-stat in it. Realizing water pump has 75,000 on it, figured a water pump/t-stat would be in order for her closer to winter. Couldn't bring myself to drop tranny slightly to removed the wedged pipe, I've never torn a car apart and had to tuck my tail in shame and put it back together without fixing why I took it apart in the first place. But I figured with no t-stat, and still overheating, my time was better spend tracking down the real problem for now. Got the thing buttoned up, but housing where I thought t-stat was leaked. . . Removed again, cleaned up, put back on and then it was time for the Fireman's festival sat night. Sunday morning, puddle of antifreeze still on drive, decided Sunday was a day of rest so I let it go till yesterday. Last night replaced housing again (no leaks this time!!) and determined overheat caused by fan control relay. Easy fix there, got a new one, all ready to drop the car off last night when, *BAM* flat tire. After waiting 45 minutes for someone to come get me to take me to get my car (as this POS didn't have a tire iron or jack in it!) I finally get the donut inflated (0 psi out of the trunk) and get it on, limping the car back to my place. Sigh. . . Oil pressure light still flicking on hit and miss while idling. I am thinking bearings in pump are going. If that's the case, next week or two I am thinking drop the pan, replace pump and/or sender, t-stat (as that should free the pipe) and probably a water pump and since ya have to take the exhaust manifold off to get to the water pump, might replace cat-back exhaust! Gotta love it! Thanx for all your help above guys

08-03-2004, 08:56 AM	#12
Redfallon Resident Intel Fanboy Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 1,669	Well time for a little bit of an update/vent here Tore the thing apart, computer had two bent pins on the middle cable, hence the cable was slightly loose, re-hooked it, then thanx to my friends $2500 snap-on scanner, found the problem to be the IAC (idle air control) valve. Replaced, ran good after a couple minutes of "reset time". Then began running hot. 230F stop/go traffic driving for around 30min. Thought "maybe t-stat just stuck closed" even though I've never had one stick closed. Little housing on side of block, two bolts, no problems ehh? Removed housing, no t-stat...turns out 1994 and up they moved it to the water pump housing. Spend next three to four hours trying to get to the t-stat by removing/loosening various brackets, parts, etc. Little metal "down tube" that holds t-stat is wedged between engine pan, tranny pan. Decided, Fri night around midnight, maybe tomorrow morning would reveal more. Sat still couldn't get the pipe completely out, got it down enough to find it has no t-stat in it. Realizing water pump has 75,000 on it, figured a water pump/t-stat would be in order for her closer to winter. Couldn't bring myself to drop tranny slightly to removed the wedged pipe, I've never torn a car apart and had to tuck my tail in shame and put it back together without fixing why I took it apart in the first place. But I figured with no t-stat, and still overheating, my time was better spend tracking down the real problem for now. Got the thing buttoned up, but housing where I thought t-stat was leaked. . . Removed again, cleaned up, put back on and then it was time for the Fireman's festival sat night. Sunday morning, puddle of antifreeze still on drive, decided Sunday was a day of rest so I let it go till yesterday. Last night replaced housing again (no leaks this time!!) and determined overheat caused by fan control relay. Easy fix there, got a new one, all ready to drop the car off last night when, BAM flat tire. After waiting 45 minutes for someone to come get me to take me to get my car (as this POS didn't have a tire iron or jack in it!) I finally get the donut inflated (0 psi out of the trunk) and get it on, limping the car back to my place. Sigh. . . Oil pressure light still flicking on hit and miss while idling. I am thinking bearings in pump are going. If that's the case, next week or two I am thinking drop the pan, replace pump and/or sender, t-stat (as that should free the pipe) and probably a water pump and since ya have to take the exhaust manifold off to get to the water pump, might replace cat-back exhaust! Gotta love it! Thanx for all your help above guys __________________ ...wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat... Last edited by Redfallon; 08-03-2004 at 08:58 AM.