Just got a 98 Firebird for $250! Need some input

M

mmill148

New member
Joined
Nov 9, 2012
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Hey everyone! This is my first post, so hopefully y'all can help me out.

Like I said, I got a 98 v6 Firebird for literally $250. Long story short I had a connection, the kid I bought it from just got his second DWI so his dad said he will take $250. I drove it home, which was a 30 minute drive and it ran rough, but drove fine so I don't think there is any big problems.

It was sitting for a year, and hadn't had a tune up for almost four years. You could easily tell, too. As it idles it shakes very bad. I was told it could be that the MAF Sensor And throttle body need cleaned. So I will be doing that here soon when I can get it to my buddies place where I can fully work on vehicles. The shaking could also be from what looks to be a loose idler pulley. Or the bearing is busted on it. When I change the belt I will be taking a look at that, too.

The thing I am wondering, and hoping I can get input on is two things. The first one is that the temp gauge doesn't work. At all. So I am thinking it is the thermostat or the temp sensor? Any one have experience with that?

Also, with it sitting for awhile, and not having a tune up for four years, what should I look to be doing get it back up to par? I will be doing plugs and wires, and I have already done an oil change, coolant flush, and replaced the fuel filter(it was super dirty!).

So.... Tell me what you think and I look forward to hearing what you say!
 
Take the wire from the sensor and ground it, see if the gauge moves, if it does, bad sensor. You didnt mention the type of trani but regardless change the fluid and also the rear end fluid. You didnt mention air filter. Is the check engine light on?
 
Given the age and abuse, get all maintenance actions out of the way, plugs, wires (don't go with the cheap generic), include the IAC while cleaning the throttle body, probably worth changing the vacuum hoses as well. You may find that after a thorough maintenance, you have a decent running car.
 
The air filter was fine believe it or not. I just got done cleaning the throttle body and dang, it was dirty! I will look into checking the temp sensor, I did't know how to tackle it so that's a big help. I am slowly going through all the routine stuff, I am a college kid so I have to watch how much money I dump into her. It is slowly getting there though.

When it comes to changing tranny fluid, for one it looked okay when I checked it, but I dont know if that means it is okay or not. I don't have a lot of experience with transmissions. I have always been under the impression to not change tranny fluid becauae it could cause problems with the gears meshing. Can someone debunk this theory for me?

Thanks for the input, when I have a chance I will post a picture of her cause overall the body is in great condition!
______________________________
 
Do not get the transmission flushed but since you dont know how old the fluid is change it along with the filter.
 
So don't change the tranny fluid?

Also, I went to go buy plugs yesterday and they said to only put in iridium plugs becasue thats what is suppose to go in. I asked why cant I use platinum and they said that it may interfere with how the car acts. So I skipped buying them in hope that someone might know what route I should take? I also will probably be getting AC Delco plugs since thats what they came with out of the factory.

When I cleaned the throttle body I noticed the gasket for it is TOAST. So that should help with the idling problems as well. Should be able to work on it tonight so we will see what happens!
 
That's not what Mel said, don't do a flush, just change the fluid and filter, flushing an older tranny that's never been properly maintained, a flush can do more damage than good.
 
Okay, so I am really proud of myself cause I have done a lot of basic stuff like plugs and wires but I have never tackled cleaning a throttle body. It went without a hitch and I replaced the gasket as well.

Once I turned the car on, you could tell it reacted better so it for sure helped. It is still running shaky, the whole car vibrates quite a bit. It is just a stock 3800 Series II engine with nothing fancy, so i know something is still wrong.

The thermostat gauge doesn't work, and the service engine flashes non stop. I haven't got it tagged yet so I can't run up to Auto Zone to hook up to the OBD II yet.

Anyone have an idea on what it might be? I know I need to get it checked, I just haven't been able to yet.
______________________________
 
There are too many possiblities which is why you need the code to be read.
 
I have always heard that you should replace the hoses, but I don't understand why if they are okay as is? I am probably missing something though, if anyone can tell me why I need to take this step it would be well received!
 
Vacuum hoses can develop leaks that can be almost impossible to find without doing a smoke test that is expensive to have performed. It's just cheaper and easier to replace them.
______________________________
 
A flashing check engine light means a catylist damaging missfire. You need to get it scanned.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top