LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

'95 Z28 Car Problems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 7, 2009 | 04:35 PM
  #1  
Speedy Z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Default '95 Z28 Car Problems

Hey everyone, Im new to Z28's but not Camaro's so I'm going to do my best to describe with all what it seems to be wrong with my car at the moment and please help me on this one.

I bought a 1995 Camaro Z28 last week and it was running fine when I test drove it. It passed state emissions and really had nothing wrong with it so I bought it. The previous owner did state that the car has a new LT1 motor, caps, distributor, plugs, wires, and also a fuel pump.

So in general I'm having really bad fuel efficiency and had to fill up three days in a row. (I do travel 20 mins both ways everyday but still?)

The first problem is the fuel gauge. It appears to be low on gas once the meter hits the "F" and has gas when it goes completely past the "F". The Check engine light comes on once the arrow hits full. The previous guy said it should have been fixed with the new fuel pump but wasn't. How much to fix this? Is it just the sending unit?

Also the coolant light is on even though it has coolant and doesn't appear to be leaking anything.

Also my car is having trouble with turning on. Once again once I test drove the car it was fine but now it seems to take several tries to start the car. I thought it could be the Optispark system but realize once it has fuel in it, it starts right up. I'm thinking it could be low fuel or something else?

The last problem is one the car is idle or just turning on, the RPMS stay around 1-2 and don't drop to 0 even when parked. THE RPMS will bounce a little when accelerating then it would go back to normal. I'm thinknig it needs a tune up but it just had one 3 months ago?

Also, I have very high oil pressure, its right below the 80 mark..

I know its a lot but anyone who can help thanks!

Last edited by Speedy Z28; Jul 7, 2009 at 04:41 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2009 | 04:51 PM
  #2  
djjab57's Avatar
TECH Addict
15 Year Member
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,496
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Default

The fuel gauge is a common problem on our cars and the coolant light could mean you have some air bubbles in the line or another common problem the sensor. Its on the radiator and it gets dirty and the light will stay on
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2009 | 04:55 PM
  #3  
djjab57's Avatar
TECH Addict
15 Year Member
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,496
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Default

as far as the hard to start problem it could be a number of things The ignition switch is going out or the Ignition control mod is going out or even the coil. you will have to do your homework there and track down the one
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2009 | 05:50 PM
  #4  
derekderek's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
From: Dothan AL for now
Default

Well with the hard start I would say its the fuel draining back into the tank. Try priming it acouple times before actually trying to start it see if it will crank like that. If the pump was just replaced maybe the fuel line on the puimp came loose and is making it loose fuel pressure causing bad idle and running.

Is the high oil pressure constant no matter what the engine is doing if so the sensor is either disconnected or went out. If it spikes as soon as you start it and stays there I would check connection on it.
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2009 | 07:10 PM
  #5  
Speedy Z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by derekderek
Well with the hard start I would say its the fuel draining back into the tank. Try priming it acouple times before actually trying to start it see if it will crank like that. If the pump was just replaced maybe the fuel line on the puimp came loose and is making it loose fuel pressure causing bad idle and running.

Is the high oil pressure constant no matter what the engine is doing if so the sensor is either disconnected or went out. If it spikes as soon as you start it and stays there I would check connection on it.
Yes, as soon as you turn the car on the oil pressure goes up and stays consistent throughtout the drive.
Reply
Old Jul 7, 2009 | 07:21 PM
  #6  
derekderek's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
From: Dothan AL for now
Default

Originally Posted by Speedy Z28
Yes, as soon as you turn the car on the oil pressure goes up and stays consistent throughtout the drive.
Then check the sensor make sure its connected because if its disconnected it will cause that. Also if the sensor has failed completely it will do it. That should fix that problem.
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2009 | 07:12 AM
  #7  
DAVE00's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 2
From: Houston, TX
Default

Coolant light? Do you mean the Low Coolant light? If so then this is very common and you have two options unplug it an don't worry, just check your coolant level every now and then or get a new one and replace it. Here is where it's located:

Right behind the filler neck (down a bit) next to the battery on the pass side of the vehicle: (Courtesy of ShBox)



As to the fuel, as stated the hard start could be related to the Fuel Pump and a bad check valve allowing the fuel to leak back into the tank. Get a fuel pressure guage and hook it up to the schraeder valve on the back of the fuel rail and manually check the pressure and see if it drops off immediately after you kill the car. It should hold pressure for several hours and bleed off slowly. Also, the normal PSI while running is 43.5 (I believe) so check that as well to make sure the pump is working properly. Let us know what you find and good luck.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:09 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE