HELP!!!!!! Stranded at work.

[petec]

I pulled into work at about 2:30 this afternoon. Car ran fine other than the minor stumbling I've been getting which, hopefully, the new plugs/wires are gonna fix. I did notice a bit of coolant leaking directly below the overflow tank as I walked away from the car, but, didn't give it much thought since I had just topped off the tank and rad prior to leaving for work.

Went back out to the car a few minutes ago and noticed it was still leaking slowly. I got into the car to back it up away from the curb so I could investigate the leak. It wouldn't start, it did seem to fire the moment I hit the starter, but, then nothing. It just spins. Did this for a minute or two and presto, it starts and settles into a nice smooth idle....then it crapped out again. Sounds to me like either spart or injection timing is going away. Now when I turn it over, It seems to try to fire for a rev or two, but that's it. If I had to make a guess, it would be the coil. Oh, yeah, the coolant leak is still there. It is dripping off the seem of the cross member than runs directly beneath the rad. It's probably a hose or the rad, but, I can't see for sure without ripping some stuff outta the way.

Any tips on quick things to check would be greatly appreciated.

thanks,

pete

 

[projectSHO89]

There aren't any real quick checks.

Stick your head in and under there and identify the source of the leak, then fix it.

Steve

 

[sdpatt]

You need to check for spark. If not spark, it is probably the CID, CPS or DIS. Does the CHECK ENGINE light go out quickly as the engine cranks? If so, the CID it telling the EEC where the number one cylinder is. If not, bad CID sensor. But even then there would be an ugly start rhater than just cranking. Have you had any engine cut-outs previous to this? That would point to the CPS. If you do have spark, the fuel pump would be suspect.

 

[petec]

the check engine light comes and goes kind of erratically as I turn it over.

 

[petec]

Well, went back out and cranked it over again. It sputtered a few times, kinda like a backfire, made another sound which sounded like the starter jumping a tooth on the flywheel, sputtered a few more times and STARTED!!!! I think I am gonna take a ride down to advanced auto and get a big bottle of electrical contact cleaner and spray the shit outta every electrical connector under the hood. Does this sound like an invitation to trouble or a good idea?

 

[petec]

went back out, fired 'er up ripped around the parking lota few times, running like a champ. Stopped, got outta the car and coolant is dripping down directly beneath the water pump. I am starting to suspect that I have that same problem and that a drowned cps was causing it. Hopefully, it won't do again on the way home. I-91 is a lonely place to break down at 11:30 PM. Wish me luck. BTW, do you think 2 bottles of Zerex and another two of distilled water will get me 35 miles?

 

[sdpatt]

You need to check for any codes as the erratic CHECK ENGINE light during cranking may be pointing at a CID sensor. The cutting out while running points to the CPS, but could also be caused by the CID from what I have heard and read in the Forum.

Scott

 

[93nighthawk]

It sounds like the water pump died on you and took the CPS with it. When you go back to Advance Auto for the waterpump and CPS you might as well grab a new timing belt and front main seal.

The coolant might get you home, but if the CPS takes it last breath, the SHO is going no-where. Get it home or to your mechanic ASAP. I definitely would not recomend driving it.

Eric

 

[pete c]

The sho is now safely home in the driveway with the front end up on jack stands. Looks like it's gonna sit there till I get back off vacation, at which time it will get the lower 60K treatment. Any recommendations on parts suppliers would be appreciated. My usual philosophy is cheap is good. But, when replacing a cheap part means lot's of work, I tend to go with quality stuff. Is there a certain brand belt such as gates which is preferable?

How about preping that side of the motor prior to begining such as gunk engine degreaser?

 

[projectSHO89]

De-gunking will make the maintenance less of a mess. Recommended.

sdpatt has posted his parts list several times for the 60K service. It includes parts sources and prices. Use the "SEARCH" link on the top of every page here on the forum....

Steve