bhg reassembly woes...

[te72]

alright, we tore down the motor last saturday, put on a new head gasket, lower and upper manifold gaskets, all gaskets except y-pipe gasket (kit didnt have it...). car also has new plugs and wires.

checked for codes, and came up good, when it would idle.

possible explanation for vacuum leak... while removing old gasket on lower intake mani, i sanded a groove into where the egr pipe goes, oops.

problems include missing below ~2k. there is also a whistling noise above 1800~2200. one last thing, car idles at ~450 or so... when it idles. when it would idle, if ISC was unplugged, engine would idle to ~1800, until it starts whistling. coincidence? thanks guys!

brad

 

[wingman]

hey any help we can get with this is greatly appreciated. We've replaced almost everything short of major components like the manifold itself and this job is getting just a little bit tiring to say the least...right now were just two noobs replacing anything that might even remotely cause the problem, and it's getting a little expensive.

 

[Joel W.]

I have had good luck chasing vacuum leaks with a 3ft rubber hose to my ear listening for leaks.. Also a can of something flameable like starting fluid or carb cleaner to pinpiont vacuum leaks. ***disclaimer>>>(be careful here as fire is dangerous) It will raise the RPM as it enters the motor.

The whistle is most likely a vacuum leak somewhere..

 

[te72]

I have heard this same idea about the leak pinpointing, but the people i have heard that from all seemed crazy, haha. thanks joel! I will let you know how it goes, off to wrenching...

brad

 

[Joel W.]

Also, if the hose trick does not work.. Just spray a small amount, stop and listen for change, No change? Then spray somewhere else with a small amount,, Do not spray in the direction of the plug wires or any electronics. (just around the intake parts...)

Keep a fire extinguisher handy..

 

[MDCmotorsports]

I like to use a propane torch, with out it lit.

Take the torch on low and run it around each vacuum spot. If the idle picks up wala.

I would check the water level in the car first and then the water temp sensor.

 

[IJ.]

A spray bottle of water works as well and is a little safer.

You're listening for any change in RPM as you spray around the manifold.
(used to do this with aerostart but NOT safe in any way shape or form)

 

[te72]

We tried the carb cleaner method, found a leak at the front of the lower manifold... tightened things down, that seemed to help. there is another leak around the egr valve. that will be fixed in the near future, i need money haha. thanks guys!

brad

 

[Joel W.]

Those are both good ideas guys, Safer too.. I remember when they made the carb cleaner or brake cleaner non flammable and it did not seem to work anymore..

Never tried water though, that is interesting...

 

[te72]

well we decided to block off the egr, in order to eliminate that leak... seems easier in the long run. just gotta wait for the JB to finish doing its thing, and we will be re-installing things tonight, hoping for the best!

i never tried the water spray idea either... i gotta wonder how that would work. i know that water has oxygen in it, and unmetered O2 in a vacuum leak... but water?

brad