lt1 overheated...less power than before?
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 305
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From: Goldsboro NC
lt1 overheated...less power than before? As the title implies...my lt1 overheated a few weeks ago. One of the bleeder screws somehow opened up and I lost coolant. I fixed the problem after work and its been running okay ever since, however there is a loss of power. It made my exhaust leak worse, which I know can cause performance issues, but the main problem is a high rpm miss. My question, is it possible that the engine overheating could have damaged my ICM or ignition coil? Could coolant have gotten on the optispark and caused that to **** out on me (I can't see any coolant down there but I suppose its possible)?
Thanks for the help, hope this isn't a costly repair.
Thanks for the help, hope this isn't a costly repair.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 305
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From: Goldsboro NC
anyone have any suggestions?
I also went to autozone to get a fuel pressure gauge so I could check that but they don't have one for fuel injected motors (the gauges only went to 15 psi..)
I also went to autozone to get a fuel pressure gauge so I could check that but they don't have one for fuel injected motors (the gauges only went to 15 psi..)
I bought my fuel pressure gauge from Oreillys. How hot did it get? I warped the heads on one motor and it lost a lot of power, but it was ran very hot multiple times. Id fix the exhaust leak first thing. Check fuel pressure and check for any burnt plug wires then go from there.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Goldsboro NC
I almost pegged the gauge...
Its ran fine ever since except for the loss of power and the misfire. I'll check the wires but I have a feeling it could be the coil since I've heard the heat can affect them. As for the leak, I plan to get long tubes if I can find them cheap, I've been messing with the stock manifolds forever trying to fix this leak and its become pretty much useless.
Its ran fine ever since except for the loss of power and the misfire. I'll check the wires but I have a feeling it could be the coil since I've heard the heat can affect them. As for the leak, I plan to get long tubes if I can find them cheap, I've been messing with the stock manifolds forever trying to fix this leak and its become pretty much useless.
I almost pegged the gauge...
Its ran fine ever since except for the loss of power and the misfire. I'll check the wires but I have a feeling it could be the coil since I've heard the heat can affect them. As for the leak, I plan to get long tubes if I can find them cheap, I've been messing with the stock manifolds forever trying to fix this leak and its become pretty much useless.
Its ran fine ever since except for the loss of power and the misfire. I'll check the wires but I have a feeling it could be the coil since I've heard the heat can affect them. As for the leak, I plan to get long tubes if I can find them cheap, I've been messing with the stock manifolds forever trying to fix this leak and its become pretty much useless.
If I had to guess, I would say that you are getting a bad reading at your o2 sensor because of your exhaust leak. The car is in open loop when it is first cranked and doesnt go into closed loop (using the oxygen sensors) until the engine is warmed up. Try unplugging your mass air flow sensor and drive the car. This will force it to stay in open loop not using the oxygen sensors. If it runs better with it unplugged then more than likely it is indeed the exhaust leak.
It is possible that your ICM is getting hot and causing a missfire but I doubt it. You could do the ICM spacer mod which is usually a good idea anyways.
It is possible that your ICM is getting hot and causing a missfire but I doubt it. You could do the ICM spacer mod which is usually a good idea anyways.
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Brett Foote
Launching!
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Horn Lake, MS
I'm having similar problems after my car ran hot. I've decided its the opti. I don't think running hot once could do that much damage to a coil. Or the icm. But I'm no expert. Try looking for an icm online. I imagine it will be cheaper.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Goldsboro NC
After some more research I think my engine may be fine, the problem might actually be my fuel pump...it hesitates, stumbles at low rpm's, misfires at higher rpm's, and has almost no power in the higher rpm's...
I got to get a fuel pressure gauge
I got to get a fuel pressure gauge
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2011
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When your bleed valve opened it pissed coolant all over the opti.
Sounds like an ignition problem IMhO.
Pull the opti spark harness out and make sure there isn't any crap or moisture in there.
Next reconnect the harness and make sure the connection is tight.
If you suspect a fuel issue, pull a spark plug out and see what it looks like.
Iv'e had several LT1 fbodys, a 93 also. Every ICM that went bad on mine would shut the car off with out warning.
Sounds like an ignition problem IMhO.
Pull the opti spark harness out and make sure there isn't any crap or moisture in there.
Next reconnect the harness and make sure the connection is tight.
If you suspect a fuel issue, pull a spark plug out and see what it looks like.
Iv'e had several LT1 fbodys, a 93 also. Every ICM that went bad on mine would shut the car off with out warning.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 305
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From: Goldsboro NC
I don't see any excess moisture on the front of the motor, so I don't think the opti is bad. My fuel pump seems to change pitches when it primes the motor, so I'm going to get a fuel pressure gauge and check that out.
However my alternator died on me today, so I guess that is the first step lol
However my alternator died on me today, so I guess that is the first step lol
