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Any Mechanics want to lend a hand?
El Destructo:
If you can't figure out the Paper Clip Trick Nate...AutoZone has the Keys for the older Vehicles too...they can plug it in and read the Check Engine Lights for You also...as for an 88...they were Throttle Bodied....the 3.8...or 3800 both were ...and are very good Motors...I have a 91 3.8 in a Grand Prix...and a 3800 in a 2000 Grand Prix...both exceptional Motors...and Josh is Right about the Converter wreaking Havoc too...might want to let someone else rev the Motor slowly and You listen to the Tail Pipe for the Telltale hissing sound...I know when my 91 Chevy Van's stopped up...it ran like shit...and when I beat the Crap out of the Converter with a 4 pound Shop Hammer...it now Purrs like a Kitten again! The only trouble I had with either of mine was a clogged EGR Valve...and I was lucky...I cleaned out all of the Carbon ...and reused it
NTD:
Wow :o Quite the responses guys I appreciate it.
Mike (El D) is correct it is a fuel injected engine. And the reason I bought the car is exactly because of what you said the reputation of the Gm 3.8.
Autozone told me that unless the check engine light is on they won't get any codes. And my check engine light isn't on ::)
There is no black smoke.
Scott D, it idles fine, just rattles...just like a diesel. Also the rattle stays through out all gears including park but it stops the short time between shifting through the gears. I will check the hose to the EGR valve and don't worry Tim, my lips won't touch it...I've got an air compressor :)
And thanks for the advice on the heat shield, I will check that tomorrow.
Thanks again guys. This is my only air conditioned ride and well with 105 this week....AC is nice.....
Badger:
Another possible simple fix that I run into commonly with throttle body injection is that right at the entrance to the throttel body where the butterfly is a slight carbon build up there will cause rough idle and dieing. It can simply bewiped out with a rag with a little brake clean or laquer thinner on the rag. Steve
Pappy:
Never ran many 3.8 but have had 25 or 30 4.3's in our fleet and the main trouble we had with all of them was the egr valve got carbon build up under the valve and held it open witch will cause just the kind of problem you are talking about.That would be my first check.When it hangs open it creates a huge vacuum leak. :)
Pappy
Justin Snyder:
Like Pappy I never had a 3.8, but I have had a few 2.8 and 4.3. The EGR valve is where I would start also. Then check the heat shield right below the spark plugs.
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