[Shotimes] Couple of questions

[George Fourchy]

On Fri, 17 Jan 2003 14:11:50 EST, RPIERCE66@aol.com wrote:

>1. Every 2 months or so I get a low coolant light. I check and the overflow 
>is empty. THe rad is full and fine. So I beleive I have a slow leak in the 
>Overflow. Agree?

First thing I'd do is disconnect the overflow bottle and drive it for a day.  Then
let it cool and check the radiator.  If it is low, the leak is obviously in the
cooling system proper.  It probably is there anyway, because if the leak is in the
overflow, it will simply drain out and disappear as you watch it.  The fact that it
is a plastic bottle eliminates the possibility it is a "slow" leak....it will just
drain right out.  Most likely you have a leak in your radiator tanks, and it is time
for a new radiator.  That's common after 8 or 10 years of use.

>2. Starting is getting longer. and it seems if I give it a little gas when 
>starting it wont go. Lately I have been having to start twice. 

If you can, check the fuel pressure at the fuel pressure valve in the center of the
intake manifold.  You should have "about" 39 lbs of pressure with the system
connected normally....maybe a little less, due to the fuel pressure regulator doing
its job.  If you can't check the pressure, just depress the center of the schrader
valve to see that fuel sprays up.  Watch your eyes.  If it does spray, you have
pressure, but it would take a gauge to make sure there is enough to start.  If there
is very little pressure, you have a blockage in the line, most likely a clogged fuel
filter, or a weak fuel pump, usually audible as a noticable whine when you turn the
key on as they get old.  The test is to turn the key on and off several times before
starting the first time.  If it starts easy after you do that, fuel pressure is the
problem...either the filter or the pump, or both.  I need a new filter, and I often
have to turn the key on several times, priming the fuel lines, to start in the
morning....and sometimes when it is warm.  

>3. When cold she has a little hesitation when I blip the throttle. What could 
>this be?

When cold, this could be considered normal, since the cold engine requires a richer
mixture to survive "blipping" that it would if warm.  The fuel pump/filter problem
mentioned above would also cause a leaner than normal mixture, which would cause
additional hesitation at cold acceleration.

>4. Does anyone have a dashboard electronic clicking when switching the wipers 
>on and off? Works fine but doesn't sound right

The little 'computer' for the intermittent wipers is down there somewhere, and it
might be having some malfunctions.  You can check in the EVTM for its
location....Electrical and Vacuum Troubleshooting Manual.

>5. I Have the SHO shop Y Pipe and Cat back, I had replaced the doughnut 
>recently, but it seems to be a loud again. My mechanic says it looks like the 
>doughnuts will not last too long with this setup. Anyone have any experiences 
>similiar? I was told I also have some leaks in some of my welds. I will be 
>getting that looked at and also look into adding a larger and possibly second 
>resonator.

I also have the same exhaust.  I go through a doughnut about every 6 months or so. 
There is just not enough machining or workmanship in that joint for a doughnut to
last any longer than that.  A solution is to have a flexible coupling with boltable
disconnects welded in place of the original flex joint.  A larger or additional
resonator will increase the mellowness of the sound, and make it sound better, at
least to most folks' ears.

Good Luck...

George and the Lowrider