The actual distributor shaft itself would be plastic? I guess I've only ever seen a standard hei so I don't even know which part would be plastic to keep an eye on
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
Diagnostic advice needed, 97 7.4
- Thread starter Smokinthehippies
- Start date
The actual distributor shaft itself would be plastic? I guess I've only ever seen a standard hei so I don't even know which part would be plastic to keep an eye on
The distributor housing would be plastic.
chulisohombre
1/2 ton status
That gap looks too big for sure. They are fuel fouled as well. I only run a .045 gap on my plugs on my 94. I did a quick search and found that they like .045-.060 on that engine. You may try and do .045 to make sure it's getting a good arc on the plugs. Something is definitely making it run rich unless the plugs have a lot if miles and were just in need of replacement. The electrodes look burnt on most of those plugs though like they've been in for awhile. Double check that the coil isn't arcing to ground at the main power plug wire to the cap. Mine was recently doing that and melted the wire. Also use the dielectric grease they give you in the box of new plug wires. It will make taking them off when you need to much easier and wont rip the boot with the heat and corrosion that collects there.
While the plugs have a lot of mikes I'm sure. The running rich was a very recent change. It ran great and like a beast before I went on the trip.
I agree. I always use the dielectric grease on the wire ends. Ill keep taking pictures as I get the parts pulled off today.
chulisohombre
1/2 ton status
Yeah that's a lil weird. I'd suspect the gas if it wasn't a place that was real busy in the middle of nowhere. It will play havoc with sensors and run bad as well if the o2 is sensing a bad gas mix coming out of the exhaust maybe and add more fuel trying to keep it running. Just a thought as water in the fuel wouldn't burn and would come out of the exhaust as vapor.
Last edited:
That's kinda what I was thinking as well when it first started. It was a five little shack on a mountain road. I thought about dumping some octane booster/fuel system cleaner in and seeing if that helps also.
Guess you have no idea what an 02 sensor does. An 02 sensor senses the amount of OXYGEN in the exhaust then tells the ECU to add or subtract fueling, has nothing to do with water/moisture.
Well I lied. There's no way my tubby ass was getting back in there to the cap and rotor. I did get the new wires on the plugs.
And it made
0 difference.
Still idling like poop
I know it's rough because the exhaust looks like its gonna shake off the truck
Still puffing smoke and dripping out the tailpipes
Still smells like gas.
And it made
0 difference.
Still idling like poop
I know it's rough because the exhaust looks like its gonna shake off the truck
Still puffing smoke and dripping out the tailpipes
Still smells like gas.
Did you replace the spark plugs or just the wires?
chulisohombre
1/2 ton status
I know what the o2 is supposed to do Scott. But Water in the gas is going to have more water vapor as a by product of combustion and less oxygen and throw the sensor off and make the engine not run right as well would it not. and then not fully burning off in the combustion chamber and trying to get a good mix by adjusting the incoming fuel mix. At least that's how I've had it explained ti me before. I know you are much better at explaining how things work than I am. It was just a guess at what could be an issue. If it is bad gas I've used octane boost with some luck and some stabil or heet gas treatment will dry out the fuel if it has water in it. Hopefully it doesnt have dirt or other contaminants. You may want to check your fuel filter as well.
Last edited:
Both plugs and wires
chulisohombre
1/2 ton status
If the only thing that changed was you put gas in and then after running it through the truck you are having problems that's what would be suspect to me. Have you put more fresh gas in yet. Top it off with a good name brand gas of the highest octane you can. I don't know how to test the gas for octane rating but if you can get some out and into a clear container, you can see if fuel seperates and has water in it when it settles.
Since this thing is carbed, I assume that you have made sure the choke is not stuck. If so, then I am beginning to think that you may have trash in the carb or something that is causing the float to let the fuel level get too high.
Maybe he got a nice dose of that E-15 Ethanol crap we have to use here...compared to regular gas its barely "fuel"...
I miss the old leaded gas ,it seems to be all that runs my old air cooled small engines "right"..they hate this new "alka-gas"..it also lets water stay mixed with gas so its harder to tell if its been contaminated..adding more alcohol in the form of dry gas often makes engines run worse too..
I do think the truck in question here could have a bad cap or rotor,or possibly the distributor,I've seen a few of those plastic ones crap out suddenly..
I miss the old leaded gas ,it seems to be all that runs my old air cooled small engines "right"..they hate this new "alka-gas"..it also lets water stay mixed with gas so its harder to tell if its been contaminated..adding more alcohol in the form of dry gas often makes engines run worse too..
I do think the truck in question here could have a bad cap or rotor,or possibly the distributor,I've seen a few of those plastic ones crap out suddenly..
Thats what you get when you try to help too many people at one time........
I was thinking of this truck, with a mechanical fuel pump,
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=308597
and did not look to see what you were driving.
In that case, you need to check the injectors. Pull the cap off, and watch the spray for dribbles or leaks.
Also, the fuel pressure regulator may be stuck closed letting full pressure go to the injectors.
Would have expected it to set a rich code though, but might not have.
I was thinking of this truck, with a mechanical fuel pump,
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=308597
and did not look to see what you were driving.
In that case, you need to check the injectors. Pull the cap off, and watch the spray for dribbles or leaks.
Also, the fuel pressure regulator may be stuck closed letting full pressure go to the injectors.
Would have expected it to set a rich code though, but might not have.
I dont know if that truck has a fuel pressure regulator,but if it has one that works on vacuum,I have seen thouse pop the diaphram inside ,and fuel gets sucked into the intake directly...usually it wont idle and floods it out badly enough to stall it when that happens ..
I would say my next step would be exactly what Bob suggested! Check your fuel pressure and make sure it isn't too high.
CHECK THE CAP AND CHANGE IT. My vortec 454 did the same exact thing and it was the cap. It had small cracks almost too small to see but it was arcing between a few posts internally and firing two plugs at a time.
Also those engines call for a platinum plug, not a standard plug.
Also those engines call for a platinum plug, not a standard plug.
Keep in mind that the only thing the Platinum plug does for you is extends the service life close to 100K miles. My 96 Impala also specs a Platinum plug but I just run a standard plug and no issues (other than still having a thick wallet).
