Anyone Wanna Help A Newbie Out?

[PhenomSHO]

Hi everyone from the Northwest area. I live in Vancouver, WA and was wondering if anyone that knows their stuff from the Vancouver/Portland area could give me some assistance. I am a newbie when it comes to the SHO and I need to figure out what all I should do to get mine all up and running right. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am not asking for anyone to do any work on it. Just looking for someone to tell me (or at least point me in the right direction to) what all I need to replace or if possible, fix.

Oh, and it is a Red 1994 MTX by the way

Thank you in advanced!

-Kelly

 

[FastAndFurious]

What kind of problems is it showing? You can just search through SHOforum to find answers most of time.

 

[shopartsnw]

Kelly,

There are a few good SHO owners in the Vancouver area, as well as SHO Source. You should join the local club at groups.yahoo.com/groups/sholist to network with us.

Mike

 

[FastAndFurious]

Kelly,

There are a few good SHO owners in the Vancouver area, as well as SHO Source. You should join the local club at groups.yahoo.com/groups/sholist to network with us.

Mike

I think she already joined it. I got the welcome e-mail thingy.

 

[PhenomSHO]

I think she already joined it. I got the welcome e-mail thingy.

Correction: "I think he already joined it." Haha

But yes, I did. But I am still not sure how to do it, like I am not sure how to send it to everyone. Like I said, I'm a newbie lol

What kind of problems is it showing? You can just search through SHOforum to find answers most of time.

It has a knock in the engine. But not exactly sure where it's coming from. It won't pass emissions, too many hydrocarbons while idling. I know hydrocarbons is unburnt gasoline, but why is it only while idling? I don't know. Lol. And also, it randomly dies. Like I will be driving it down a hill, put it into neutral and hit the brakes and it will die. I don't know why. I thought it might be a vacuum leak. But I don't know.

:thankyou:

 

[FastAndFurious]

Correction: "I think he already joined it." Haha

But yes, I did. But I am still not sure how to do it, like I am not sure how to send it to everyone. Like I said, I'm a newbie lol



It has a knock in the engine. But not exactly sure where it's coming from. It won't pass emissions, too many hydrocarbons while idling. I know hydrocarbons is unburnt gasoline, but why is it only while idling? I don't know. Lol. And also, it randomly dies. Like I will be driving it down a hill, put it into neutral and hit the brakes and it will die. I don't know why. I thought it might be a vacuum leak. But I don't know.

:thankyou:

No idea why I put she. I was talking to one of my girl friends. That could be why. Haha

Knock? It could be serious or could be nothing to worry about. Depends what kind of knock it is... Where is it exactly coming from? bottom of the engine? front(timing belt area) of the engine?, top of the engine?

emission.. hm.. I'm not really familiar with emissions because I don't need it where I live. It could be o2 sensors or cats.

Randomly dying problem could be crank sensor, but need more history of the car.

What has done to it? upper lower 60k? rod bearings?

If you don't know history of the car, I would suggest you to do full 60k, rod bearings, change tranny fluid, and etc.

Oh and check codes too. Seeing what kind of codes it is spitting out is a good way to start.
http://www.shophoenixproject.com/eec/eec.htm
This website shows how to check codes.

This website will come handy.
http://www.shophoenixproject.com/maint.htm

Oh.. and like Mike said, there are many SHO guys in vancouver area. I bet those guys are willing to check out your car for you!

 

[PhenomSHO]

No idea why I put she. I was talking to one of my girl friends. That could be why. Haha

Knock? It could be serious or could be nothing to worry about. Depends what kind of knock it is... Where is it exactly coming from? bottom of the engine? front(timing belt area) of the engine?, top of the engine?

emission.. hm.. I'm not really familiar with emissions because I don't need it where I live. It could be o2 sensors or cats.

Randomly dying problem could be crank sensor, but need more history of the car.

What has done to it? upper lower 60k? rod bearings?

If you don't know history of the car, I would suggest you to do full 60k, rod bearings, change tranny fluid, and etc.

Oh and check codes too. Seeing what kind of codes it is spitting out is a good way to start.
http://www.shophoenixproject.com/eec/eec.htm
This website shows how to check codes.

This website will come handy.
http://www.shophoenixproject.com/maint.htm

Oh.. and like Mike said, there are many SHO guys in vancouver area. I bet those guys are willing to check out your car for you!

Haha, it's all good. I'm used to the she thing by now

The knock appears to be coming from the top of the engine, towards the passenger side of the engine bay. I took a long screwdriver and put it on the bolts to try to listen and see exactly where it was coming from, and to me (not a mechanic lol) it sounded like it was coming from the 4th cylinder intake valve. But then again, I'm not a professional here haha.

The lady who did the dyno test for emissions said that my car was idling too high for the computer tests. Don't know if that has to do with it. Once it warms up it idles it about 900 (ish) RPM's. Is that normal? High?

As far as I know, nothing has been done to it, I bought it in January for $250 (knowing it would be a project). The oil was filthy. So I changed it. The head gasket needs to be replaced, most likely along with every other gasket lol.

I will do the code test sometime tomorrow and post up what I find out. Also, I think my CCRM went bad at some point. There is a wire from my fuse box under the steering wheel and is running a constant power to the radiator fan. So if I turn the key backwards (to turn on the stereo and all that good stuff) the radiator fan comes on too. I was just told that that was probably what it was.

Add another problem to the list!! I found today that one (only one!) of my spark plug wells is getting filled with oil. I pull out the wire and oil spurts out. Not constant, just like flicks out when I pull the wire out. Could it be the Valve Cover Gasket?

This car is gonna be loads of fun, I can already tell

 

[Brent]

When in doubt, go to the SHO Doctor, Mike Stimson.

If he can't diagnose it nobody can.

 

[pitaSHO]

We're having a BBQ up at my place on August 21st. You're more than welcome to come up. I'm in Longview.

Chris K.

 

[FastAndFurious]

We're having a BBQ up at my place on August 21st. You're more than welcome to come up. I'm in Longview.

Chris K.

There is a BBQ up here on July 14th. You are more than welcome to come.

 

[FastAndFurious]

Haha, it's all good. I'm used to the she thing by now

The knock appears to be coming from the top of the engine, towards the passenger side of the engine bay. I took a long screwdriver and put it on the bolts to try to listen and see exactly where it was coming from, and to me (not a mechanic lol) it sounded like it was coming from the 4th cylinder intake valve. But then again, I'm not a professional here haha.

The lady who did the dyno test for emissions said that my car was idling too high for the computer tests. Don't know if that has to do with it. Once it warms up it idles it about 900 (ish) RPM's. Is that normal? High?

As far as I know, nothing has been done to it, I bought it in January for $250 (knowing it would be a project). The oil was filthy. So I changed it. The head gasket needs to be replaced, most likely along with every other gasket lol.

I will do the code test sometime tomorrow and post up what I find out. Also, I think my CCRM went bad at some point. There is a wire from my fuse box under the steering wheel and is running a constant power to the radiator fan. So if I turn the key backwards (to turn on the stereo and all that good stuff) the radiator fan comes on too. I was just told that that was probably what it was.

Add another problem to the list!! I found today that one (only one!) of my spark plug wells is getting filled with oil. I pull out the wire and oil spurts out. Not constant, just like flicks out when I pull the wire out. Could it be the Valve Cover Gasket?

This car is gonna be loads of fun, I can already tell

Hm.. Knock might be shims? Good thing is it's not coming from the bottom of the engine. You should do upper and lower 60k service since you don't know the history of the car and knock, and since you said there is oil in one of the spark plug wells. That means you are in need of upper 60k service. Wait.. you said just one? Maybe upper 60k service was done in the past.

Factory original idle is i believe 800rpm, but it can be altered when you reset the idle. Or maybe someone played with TB plate nut(I don't know what it's called, but there's a nut or a bolt that adjusts idling. I've never touched it before so I can't really remember. Haha).

I've never heard of head gasket failing in these cars. How did you determine it needs a new head gasket?

Hm.. Yeah you should pull codes and get back to us. Oh and do rod bearings!!

 

[PhenomSHO]

Hm.. Knock might be shims? Good thing is it's not coming from the bottom of the engine. You should do upper and lower 60k service since you don't know the history of the car and knock, and since you said there is oil in one of the spark plug wells. That means you are in need of upper 60k service. Wait.. you said just one? Maybe upper 60k service was done in the past.

Factory original idle is i believe 800rpm, but it can be altered when you reset the idle. Or maybe someone played with TB plate nut(I don't know what it's called, but there's a nut or a bolt that adjusts idling. I've never touched it before so I can't really remember. Haha).

I've never heard of head gasket failing in these cars. How did you determine it needs a new head gasket?

Hm.. Yeah you should pull codes and get back to us. Oh and do rod bearings!!

The car drinks coolant. It's pretty ridiculous. And if I pop the hood after the car is running, I can smell coolant. So there must be a leak somewhere. I had my dad (an ex mechanic, although not familiar with the SHO at all, of course) look and he said it was most likely the head gasket.

I will probably do the upper and lower 60k when I get some cash flow (I am looking for a job at the moment, the job market isn't friendly for an 18 year old fresh out of high school).

And where are you located in Washington? Just out of curiosity.

We're having a BBQ up at my place on August 21st. You're more than welcome to come up. I'm in Longview.

Chris K.

I might come up if my SHO is running okay by then. Hopefully these problems it has aren't TOO serious. Haha I'll let you know if I will be able to make it. Thanks Chris

When in doubt, go to the SHO Doctor, Mike Stimson.

If he can't diagnose it nobody can.

I'll have to get a hold of him then

 

[FastAndFurious]

The car drinks coolant. It's pretty ridiculous. And if I pop the hood after the car is running, I can smell coolant. So there must be a leak somewhere. I had my dad (an ex mechanic, although not familiar with the SHO at all, of course) look and he said it was most likely the head gasket.

I will probably do the upper and lower 60k when I get some cash flow (I am looking for a job at the moment, the job market isn't friendly for an 18 year old fresh out of high school).

And where are you located in Washington? Just out of curiosity.

I'll have to get a hold of him then

I'm located in Everett, WA. It's north of Seattle.

I'm still doubting it's head gasket. It could be, but I doubt.
Do you see white smoke out of mufflers when the car is running? What about sign of milky oil? If you don't see any of these, it shouldn't be head gasket. Oh and check if you see bubbles in coolant overflow bottle.

To be honest with you, you could do upper 60k... I did upper 60k on my old SHO with about $10. Haha All i bought was rtv for valve cover gasket and a feeler gauge... I didn't have money either, but wanted to check valve lash gaps. I don't suggest you to do the same thing tho. You wanna do it right at first place.

If you lived closer to me, I would come to you and check it out. If you don't show up at the BBQ, I could stop by vancouver just to meet you since it's on the way.

I'm around your age too! Glad to see young people driving SHOs!

 

[PhenomSHO]

I'm located in Everett, WA. It's north of Seattle.

I'm still doubting it's head gasket. It could be, but I doubt.
Do you see white smoke out of mufflers when the car is running? What about sign of milky oil? If you don't see any of these, it shouldn't be head gasket. Oh and check if you see bubbles in coolant overflow bottle.

To be honest with you, you could do upper 60k... I did upper 60k on my old SHO with about $10. Haha All i bought was rtv for valve cover gasket and a feeler gauge... I didn't have money either, but wanted to check valve lash gaps. I don't suggest you to do the same thing tho. You wanna do it right at first place.

If you lived closer to me, I would come to you and check it out. If you don't show up at the BBQ, I could stop by vancouver just to meet you since it's on the way.

I'm around your age too! Glad to see young people driving SHOs!

There is no bubbling or white smoke lol. So what else could it be?

And I would do it right, I don't want to take any shortcuts.

That would be awesome if you could stop by Vancouver if I don't get to the BBQ. I need some professional input haha But my friend actually talked me into buying my SHO. I had no idea what it was till he told me about it. I am so glad I did though, I love the car and all it needs is a ton of love. So yeah, thanks for all the input. I'm gonna go run some codes now haha

 

[FastAndFurious]

There is no bubbling or white smoke lol. So what else could it be?

And I would do it right, I don't want to take any shortcuts.

That would be awesome if you could stop by Vancouver if I don't get to the BBQ. I need some professional input haha But my friend actually talked me into buying my SHO. I had no idea what it was till he told me about it. I am so glad I did though, I love the car and all it needs is a ton of love. So yeah, thanks for all the input. I'm gonna go run some codes now haha

No bubble or white smoke! That's a good sign. You should check for puddles. Or it might be dripping on heat shields or something since you said you can smell it. It is surely dripping somewhere since you said it eats a lot of coolant. Does it ever get pressurized? Oh man.. I'm asking so many questions Haha.

I could probably stop by Vancouver to pick you up, and we can go to the BBQ together actually. Oh.. I thought Vancouver is on the way to Longview, but it's not! ugh.. Well I could still pick you up. It looks like it's only about 20-25 miles away.

Yeah my SHO wants a lot of attention too. It's ridiculous. My SHO is leaking oil somewhere, and I think I know where it is, but I'm still waiting for a while cause it's not leaking crazy. Haha

 

[PhenomSHO]

No bubble or white smoke! That's a good sign. You should check for puddles. Or it might be dripping on heat shields or something since you said you can smell it. It is surely dripping somewhere since you said it eats a lot of coolant. Does it ever get pressurized? Oh man.. I'm asking so many questions Haha.

I could probably stop by Vancouver to pick you up, and we can go to the BBQ together actually. Oh.. I thought Vancouver is on the way to Longview, but it's not! ugh.. Well I could still pick you up. It looks like it's only about 20-25 miles away.

Yeah my SHO wants a lot of attention too. It's ridiculous. My SHO is leaking oil somewhere, and I think I know where it is, but I'm still waiting for a while cause it's not leaking crazy. Haha

Haha its all good. I am not sure what you mean when you asked if it gets pressurized. That would be sweet if you could pick me up. I mean, as far as I know I got nothing going on lol. I could probably chip in gas money as well, these cars don't exactly get ideal gas mileage

I just ran those codes though. The KOER and cylinder balance tests both came out clean. I got two codes with the KOEO test though. They were 551 and 542. And, according to the SHO Phoenix Project 551 is "Problem in IMRC solenoid/circuit - Solenoids" and 542 is "(O,M) Fuel Pump open, bad ground or always on -- Power/Fuel Pump Circuits."

My question is could the Fuel Pump problem be caused by the failing CCRM? Cause doesn't the CCRM control the fuel pump too? So the folks who had it before me could have ran a constant power to the radiator fan and the fuel pump?

And I have no clue about the IMRC. Lol.

 

[FastAndFurious]

Haha its all good. I am not sure what you mean when you asked if it gets pressurized. That would be sweet if you could pick me up. I mean, as far as I know I got nothing going on lol. I could probably chip in gas money as well, these cars don't exactly get ideal gas mileage

I just ran those codes though. The KOER and cylinder balance tests both came out clean. I got two codes with the KOEO test though. They were 551 and 542. And, according to the SHO Phoenix Project 551 is "Problem in IMRC solenoid/circuit - Solenoids" and 542 is "(O,M) Fuel Pump open, bad ground or always on -- Power/Fuel Pump Circuits."

My question is could the Fuel Pump problem be caused by the failing CCRM? Cause doesn't the CCRM control the fuel pump too? So the folks who had it before me could have ran a constant power to the radiator fan and the fuel pump?

And I have no clue about the IMRC. Lol.

542 is nothing special I guess.

the 542 code is "fuel pump secondary circuit failure" which gets set if the engine ever stalls, and can nearly always be ignored.

For 551 code, I found this.
http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=102417&highlight=code+551

Have you experienced anything weird when secondaries open up? or can you hear secondaries opening up? You might have vacuum leak somewhere like you suspected.

Yeah CCRM controls fuel pump as well. Or it could be crank sensor. I forgot to mention that. You said it randomly dies. Bad crank sensor can cause that issue.

 

[FastAndFurious]

Now that I think about it your water pump might be leaking. This will cause your crank sensor go bad, and this causes car dying randomly. I'm not 100% sure it's your water pump tho.

You will have to find where coolant is leaking. That might solve a lot of things.

 

[PhenomSHO]

542 is nothing special I guess.


For 551 code, I found this.
http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=102417&highlight=code+551

Have you experienced anything weird when secondaries open up? or can you hear secondaries opening up? You might have vacuum leak somewhere like you suspected.

Yeah CCRM controls fuel pump as well. Or it could be crank sensor. I forgot to mention that. You said it randomly dies. Bad crank sensor can cause that issue.

I actually took another look out under the hood. And found the IMRC sensor and it was unplugged (yeah, I'm a smart one), so I plugged it in and the code is gone.

Just the Fuel pump code now. Do you think it is the CCRM?

Now that I think about it your water pump might be leaking. This will cause your crank sensor go bad, and this causes car dying randomly. I'm not 100% sure it's your water pump tho.

You will have to find where coolant is leaking. That might solve a lot of things.

Is the crank sensor easy to find and replace? Or not so much?

 

[FastAndFurious]

I actually took another look out under the hood. And found the IMRC sensor and it was unplugged (yeah, I'm a smart one), so I plugged it in and the code is gone.

Just the Fuel pump code now. Do you think it is the CCRM?



Is the crank sensor easy to find and replace? Or not so much?

You don't have to worry about the fuel pump code. The code usually means your car was stalled at some point. Clear the codes, and run the test again. If the code comes up, then there's something wrong, but otherwise, I think you are good to go.

Crank sensor.... You can't see it, and it takes time to get it replaced. It's under the lower timing belt cover right above crank. You will have to do front 60k, but I'm not 100% sure it is crank sensor so yeah.