JonnieBlue Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 Well, i was leavin school today, and the 86 XT started actin up. When i started it, it was really loud and 'growled' i guess. Within a few feet, it started smellin funny, but not sure what it was. Also, it seemed like there was fairly big loss in power, and when the engine reved, it was 3 times as loud as usual, but like 1/2 the power. When i let go of the accelerator on the highway, it slowed Drastically, and made the sound of a baseball card in bike spokes (which after getting home and listening outside determined came from exhaust). Also, while ideling, you hear an almost uneven, loud, running like a boats outboard motor sound. Also, there was lots of exhaust (more than usual), didnt appear to dark usually, except when starting from complete stop; it was a bit darker from complete stop. It is currently 34degF, snowy/slushyish- but i dont think its the weather, seems like a developing problem. Any suggestions, or am i just screwed?? _____ JB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thealleyboy Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 JB: I would start with compression and take it from there. A compression check will cut this down to size in a hurry. You may have blown a head gasket (funny smell, lack of power) or one of your belts may be ready to go (very loud, baseball card sound). Most of the symptoms you mention seem to point to the head gasket, but it it's far from a sure bet. What kind of oil pressure are you reading? How about the temp guage? John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnieBlue Posted March 4, 2004 Author Share Posted March 4, 2004 temp seems about right.. after warming up generally remains at slightly above the midpoint.. oil pressure runs average, drops down when ideling, but ive always had to keep track of the oil (it IS a 86 soob afterall ).. About the compression check, i dont have the equipment, and cant afford to take it in, so is there anything quick and easy i can do? ALSO: When i was listenin and revin the the engine up - there was a fairly prominent almost highpitched whisteling comin from the front - dont know what that meay point to, but it is a new development.. Thanks Again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subaru_styles Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 I sounds like the problem may be with the exhaust......I would check for an exhaust leak first just to rule it out.... my car got REALLY loud and clankiny a couple weeks ago..sounded liek my engine was detonating!! turned out that a 2 out of 3 bolts on my exhaust manifold were missing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meeky Moose Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 as for slowing down fast, and noise, you might have a stuck brake.. my wagon did this.. chewed up the front pass. side inner pad, and rotor.. the outer looked fine.. i attributed this to a bad caliper.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goatboy Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 I was going to suggested that too. The exhaust. Sounds like what happened to my Celica when I curbed it and ripped my exhaust pipe open between the cat and muffler. I didn't loose power or smoke anymore though. Just sounded like a Nascar race truck! --GoatBoy-- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thealleyboy Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 JB: Yeah, I was thinking exhaust too, but losing power doesnt make sense. The compression guage is not all that expensive. One of those discount auto parts stores (Auto Zone) may even have one to lend. This is a longshot, but check to see if one of your spark plugs is loose or blown out. This is about the only single incident I can think of that would account for all the symptoms you describe. good luck, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subarubrat Posted March 4, 2004 Share Posted March 4, 2004 If he had a cat plug up and then split that would sound possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baccaruda Posted March 5, 2004 Share Posted March 5, 2004 check your oil and coolant to make sure they aren't mixing. that would be another sign of a head/gasket related problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnieBlue Posted March 5, 2004 Author Share Posted March 5, 2004 Can someone give me a fairly detailed runthrough on how to preform the compression check - like, i know this is a very sad newb question, but block throttle open, do that using throttle valve? and crank over, how exactly..??.. all help apreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thealleyboy Posted March 5, 2004 Share Posted March 5, 2004 JB: Not a dumb question at all... There are actually several ways to do the test. I'll describe how I do it (instructions with the compression guage may be different, but will also work): Run your car up to operating temp if at all possible Make sure your battery is fully charged Disconnect coil wire, and jump the coil (two alligator clips and a legnth of wire) to chassis ground. Mark your wires for correct firing order, and remove ALL spark plugs Screw the guage into the spark plug hole and have someone crank the engine. Make sure the guage is fully threaded and not leaking. Write down the max PSI for each cylinder. Not a bad idea to go around twice to confirm your readings. When you have your PSI readings, post the results on this thread for some opinions. good luck, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnieBlue Posted March 5, 2004 Author Share Posted March 5, 2004 when you say crank engine, just turn key and "start"?? or do something manually? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thealleyboy Posted March 5, 2004 Share Posted March 5, 2004 JB: Crank the engine normally - as if you were to start the car. Don't worry, it won't start. By grounding the coil to the chassis, the car cannot fire. You are trying to build up pressure inside the motor, and measuring what that pressure is. The readings, and their location will give you some good clues as to the condition of your engine. Getting accurate readings is important, so do this procedure as many times as necessary. Be especially careful with "0" readings. They may truly be 0 psi, or they may be because the guage isn't completely seated. good luck, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnieBlue Posted March 5, 2004 Author Share Posted March 5, 2004 Compression check came back: (Looking from front) LR:170 --- RR:165 LF:165 --- RF:165 Theres no major differences, and none seem too low, so im guessin its good?? I didnt add any 'squirts of oil' since the psi seemed pretty reasonable. I DO know theres an exhaust leak - exhaust coming out from under the car, so as soon as it stops snowin, ill put it up and see where it is... how much am i lookin at to fix it, and do i 'fix' it or replace entire system for something.. newer..?? I did change out plugs and wires (one wire was completely rusted on the harness in the boot), and it feels like it runs better, except for exhaust. PS Thanks for all the help so far and putting up with my 'newbieness', this board rocks !! I only wish i would have been back from vacation in time to place a sweathsirt order... I guess (hope) theres always next time! ________ JB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thealleyboy Posted March 5, 2004 Share Posted March 5, 2004 JB: Those readings are excellent. You can safely rule out the headgasket. That should put your mind to ease a bit. I'm starting to lean towards the plugged cat theory. This would explain the noise and lack of power. If it were mine, I would drop everything from the Y back (since your exhaust needs work anyway). You can inspect the cat by holding it up to the sun. If you can't see light, it's shot. You may be able to salvage it otherwise. The rest of your exhaust will probably have to be replaced. You can do the work yourself if you can get it up on ramps. good luck, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nug Posted March 6, 2004 Share Posted March 6, 2004 Your test results are nearly perfect. You have problems elsewhere. Your engine seems to be in very good shape, IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baccaruda Posted March 6, 2004 Share Posted March 6, 2004 hm, when i compression tested the brat, i forgot to block the throttle open. how would that have affected the readings (160ish in each cylinder, tested twice each)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forkspear Posted March 7, 2004 Share Posted March 7, 2004 Not opening the throttle will just show you less compression than what you really have. 160 is great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedLance Posted March 7, 2004 Share Posted March 7, 2004 If this is a turbo car, having a leak in the cross over could cause the mentioned symptoms...including loss of power, since turbo isn't spooling correctly. RedLance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myxalplyx Posted March 7, 2004 Share Posted March 7, 2004 Originally posted by Forkspear Not opening the throttle will just show you less compression than what you really have. 160 is great. I forgot to do this recently when checking my compression on an XT6. This is good to know even though 4 of my cylinders where almost right on the money. 1 was higher than normal (carbon build up I guess....higher compression..woohoo) and 1 was right on the verge of being out of factory specs. I don't know how fuel will affect your readings but I disconnected my fuel pump by unplugging it. I didn't want fuel pumping into the cylinders to affect my readings. I didn't see this mentioned...so.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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