Exhaust changes causes problems

[GOLDCYLON]

Originally Posted by rogerzr1

Good idea. I just got the car back in July. How hard is it to change the fuel filter?

20-25 min job flare wrenches make the job easier

One thing to check as well is for exhaust leaks. Those will create some of the problems you are describing as well.

[tomtom72]

Roger, the fuel filter is over on the frame rail on the right side next to that cat....well sort of next to the cat. Ya can't see it too clearly as there is a heat shield that hides most of it.

I usually do that when I do my season "get ready" so I have the car up on 4 stands, makes for one trip to do all my underside stuff. Anyway, one stand under the right front rail where it turns in should do it.
Remove gas cap.

bleed off any pressure at the front of the right fuel rail schrader valve with rag to catch fuel or if ya got a gauge with a bleed line your gold.

Use a catch basin under the filter anyway, or a rag. I always get some spillage.

Take off the two bolts that hold heat shield....mm, 10 or 13.

Using Line wrenchs on the filter and line 19 & 19 or 19 & 20 mm(?). Hold filter with one wrench and undo the line with the other wrench at "in" & "out".

Remove the filter band clamp bolt, 10mm & remove filter.

Reverse to install new filter. Leave car up and KOEO to test for leaks. Heat shield back on. Lower car.

Go for test drive, then have beer!


Tom

[GOLDCYLON]

Originally Posted by Jeffvette

One thing to check as well is for exhaust leaks. Those will create some of the problems you are describing as well.

Good point !

[bradslt5]

Jeffs got a good idea too. you might want to test for the exhaust leaks when you do the fuel filter. that is only if you jack the whole car up in the air with 4 jackstands under the car . do you have the zr1 bible (helms manual) they are just over a hundred bucks and very worth it . also worth considering is a scann tool to dk for codes that may pop up from time to time. congrats on your new ride . these are very special and cool rides

[rogerzr1]

I appreciate everyone's help. I talk to Marc H today. He thinks it may be a sparkplug or ignition problem. He doesn't think that what is going on is a result of the new exhaust. Since I had recently changed the sparkplugs he said it might also be fuel related. He said to hook up a long hose and a gauge and drive it around to see what the fuel presure measures. If someone could give me an idea how to pull this off, I would like to try it. BTW I just drove the car for about 15 minutes and it didn't seem to hesitate as bad(then it started snowing). Don't know if this means anything or not. Looks like the fuel presure is as good a place as any to start. Please help.

[XfireZ51]

roger,

When you say that it feels like it almost wants to backfire, what exactly do you mean by that? What is it doing? Can you be more specific?

[rogerzr1]

Originally Posted by XfireZ51

roger,

When you say that it feels like it almost wants to backfire, what exactly do you mean by that? What is it doing? Can you be more specific?

In talking with Marc, the backfire issue doesn't seem to be a problem. I am use to hearing the stock exhaust. He said what I was hearing had always been there, I just didn't hear it as bad. The real problem is that in low rpms the car seems to hesitate more and at WOT it was stumbling at around 4500 rpms. Once past that it was fine. It almost seems like maybe the engine isn't getting enough gas, I don't know. I feel stupid not being able to describe the situation better or know more about what is going on.

[Pete]

What kind of plugs and where did you gap them?

Pete

[rogerzr1]

Originally Posted by Pete

What kind of plugs and where did you gap them?

Pete

They were the recomended AC DELCO part. I can't remember the part number. The mechanic said they were the right ones. I also had a new spark plug wire set to put on the car, but the mechanic said the ones on the car where ok. I wish he had changed them, at least I would feel better about it knowing the wires were new.