[DROPTOP STANG]

today i just listened to how my car was sounding while i was driving it. i put my windows down becuz its not too hot out yet and i noticed when i was idling in drive my rmps are about 700 and when im in neutral or park im around 1k is that normal? and im also getting a strong smell of gas, that may have something to do with me almost on e though, i can hear the fuel pump whine. also my mpg's are kinda shitty i dont know whats goin on. should i be worried?

1991 lx vert

[kalen1991]

I thought my fuel pump was whining but while i had ripped off the tank to install a new fuel pump i relised there was a pinched relief line.

when you open the gas tank do you hear it hiss like its sucking in air? you may just need a new relief line as well. I got a 3 ft line, cut it down to size and routed it around safely. probably 2 ft was lots though.

If i was you, check to make sure all four spark plugs are getting power.
while in park let the engine idle.

there are two coils in your car, one for the right hand spark plugs and one for the left, the coil near the back of the engine or farther from the front of the car is the coil that controls the main spark plugs (so i am told)
while the car is idling disconnect these one at a time, if the engine changes tone vibration or you see sparks put it back on and go through the remaining ones. if you see that one of them has no sparks all your spark plugs arent running. if you see that they all have sparks but you note no change in engine tone or vibration check spark plugs and the cables.

if there is no sparks i would try taking off the egnition module and taking it into an auto parts store to see if they can test it.

Also check & clean/replace the 8 spark plugs.

you might not even know only 3/4 of your chambers are igniting. but this would explain the smell of gas in the car,
alternately it could just be the fuel pump like you have said.

just dont waste money buying and replacing stuff like i did unless you know whats wrong haha! i spent a grand replacing parts for a 280 dollar ignition module problem.

[kalen1991]

also there is a sticker on the right hand side of the engine compartment that will tell you the proper idle speeds.

[TOM RENZO]

The idle speed is set by the ECM. Look at the fuel rail they break at the regulator. I have changed many on the 2.3. If the rail checks out ok then go to the carbon canister. Sometimes the line gets brittle and cracks. I have also seen the line that feeda the canister get pinched under the inner fender well. If you still cant find the problem have a smoke test done on the tank.

[DROPTOP STANG]

see im not much for mechanics, my dad is that guy. im more on the technical side of things i.e. computers, audio etc. unfortunately im in texas and hes in california. i dont even know where the spark plugs are on this car...

[IXXBC]

The spark plugs are on both sides of the engine. looking from the top of your engine down you will see 4 rubber plugs on either side. Those are your spark plugs.

when you pull them off to listen to your engine (be careful not to pull on the cable, pull from the rubber. beware of the electricity too, it hurts), always do them one at a time. you never know...might have a brain fart for some reason to check your spark plugs and forget what order the wires go in.

[kalen1991]

Yes, always check them one at a time its easiest.

If you're dad is mechanically inclined you might be too! you never know, gotta get your hands dirty and start somewhere!

with common sense and a little knowledge it's pretty hard to mess things up and sometimes its a simple fix, sure feels great fixing it yourself for the first time though!

Good luck.

[kalen1991]

Oh, if your car comes with a manual check it out, or buy a manual. It explains these things in great detail, and you will know everything you need to know how to change your plugs with a decent socket set.

[DROPTOP STANG]

i actually am good with body work and changing stuff as long as i dont have to diagnose whats really going on. i can follow instructions tho. bout to go put on a rubber glove and check the plugs one by one. i didnt know those were the spark plugs though i guess i had a brain fart. and i do have the manual im going to bust it out and get to work. thanks everyone

[DROPTOP STANG]

okay so i go and uplug the plugs one at a time and the first four are good. that was on the front box.

the other box 3/4 had spark but there was no change in idle speed or any sort of engine vibration.

i did this like


unplug one, put it back
unplug next, plug it back.
etc etc

should i do these in a row like unplug, diagnose, move on?

[DROPTOP STANG]

BUMP

:lurk:

:lurk:

:lurk:

[SM90Stanger]

Originally Posted by DROPTOP STANG

BUMP

:lurk:

:lurk:

:lurk:

Creepy enough?

[DROPTOP STANG]

lol i lurk around here all the time youd be suprised what ive learned. but seriously i want to find out whats really wrong without having to to play the 60 dollars an hour diagnosis game with a crooked ass shop owner

[DROPTOP STANG]

okay so now i noticed im leaking fluids.


its about one foot in from the passenger side. i believe it to be the fuel line because its not oil or coolant.


i just really hope its not trans fluid, i cant afford a new transmission right now or a re-build. that would retire my car for good.

any way i could tell forsure its my fuel line???

[SM90Stanger]

Ummm, yeah. If it's on the passenger's side in the middle of the car, it is probably a brake line.

Step 1: find out exactly which line it is coming from
Step 2: follow that line to wherever it goes. If you follow it to the back of the vehicle and the line goes to the brakes, it's a brake line (duh) and if it goes to the gas tank then it's agas line (duh).
Step 3: these instructions were only intended for the brake or gas lines cause if that leak is in the front portion of the vehicle, it could be any number of things! The gas line is on the driver's side any way (i think).

Good luck, let us know what you find!