Long Road Trip and Some Mechanical Prolems

[shmoky]

Just finished a long road trip. From northern B.C. down into Washington to the Grand Coulee Dam. Then onto Pendleton and down to John Day Oregon. Cruised around John Day for a day on some really fun windy roads. Then over to Baker City and up to Joseph and Orofino, Idaho. Wanted to spend the night in Orofino but the fair was in town and not a room to be had for 40 miles. So, carried on to Missoula, Montana. Then straight north thru Kalispell (wanted to do the “Road to the Sun”, but the road was closed due to forest fires) and up to the border crossing at Roosville. Finally, up thru Alberta and over to B.C. to home. A total of 3752 miles from start to finish.

Had some minor mechanical troubles. 2x had to weld up the exhaust after I thought it was repaired before I left home. Pretty minor in the scheme of things.

With all the rattling (37-year-old car) I had one of the exhaust manifold bolts come loose and it was leaking exhaust into the cab of the car. Midas muffler couldn’t/wouldn’t fix it as couldn’t get a new gasket. So, had to drive it home another 600 miles breathing the fumes all the way. Both the wife and I are recovering from the fumes.

The biggest problem was whenever I was gong down a long hill and using the engine compression to slow me down (keep speed under control) for any length of time (1-2 miles or longer) the car would start to run VERY rough upon acceleration. Also, it smelled like it was flooded or over fuelling. We could smell a lot of fuel in the cab of the car. It would hesitate and stumble, fat and pop unless I put the “go” pedal to the floor. Wife said it sounded like a machine gun. LOL If I let off completely or stopped it would stall and I would be on the side of the road. It would then not start for 15-45 minutes. Turned over fine just wouldn’t start. Couldn’t tell if it just wasn’t firing or flooded so bad it couldn’t fire. Waiting the 15-45 minutes let it clear the fuel (I guess) and it would start although reluctantly. Any of you Gurus have any ideas as to what my problem could be?

Over all a great trip with lots of new country to see for both the wife and I.

[nelsonj]

Sounds like you have a great wife!

[phaetn]

Sounds like flooding or fouled plugs to me. The farting and popping is unignited fuel/air that ignites in the exhaust rather than on the power stroke. It will still suck in a lot of fuel air (and oil if valve seals or guides are sloppy) during lift off because of the negative pressure.

Sounds like the "Italian tune up" of flooring the car under WOT cleans up the plugs.

Check if your mixture screw is right (too rich on idle?). Also, carry some spare, clean (and properly gapped) plugs in your pocket. They \might get you started right away rather than having to wait 30+ minutes.

Cheers,
phaetn

[ORFORD2004]

Adjust your throttle position sensor.

[RRoller123]

Adjust your throttle position sensor.

+1 on that. Probably still putting fuel into the intake rather than cutting the injectors off when you release the throttle.

[shmoky]

Thanks for the input. I will have to check a few things out I see. Of course fix the exhaust leak first. Have to wait for the parts and that will take awhile so will post when I have some answers/results.

shmoky

[architect]

Sounds like you have a great wife!

+1