Every time I start my car, black smoke comes out of it for about 1 or 2 minutes. Then is stops smoking.

Which one do you think it is:

- No muffler or catalytic converter?
- Parked for 14 years, could it just be carbon build up?
- Head gasket? (hopefully not)
- Timing?
- Running rich?

I'm definitely hoping it is not a head gasket, and if it was, I would most likely just take the L28 out and drop in a 350SBC.

Thanks for your help,

Derek

P.S. The car only has 175,000 kilometers, which is about 100,000 miles on it.

 

blue smoke = burning oil

white smoke = burning coolant (as in blown headgasket)

black smoke = burning too much fuel

If it's only when you first start it, it could be a leaky injector. What do the sparkplug tips look like?

 

Wet with gas. On an unrelated note, instead of posting anything next time, I'll just PM you. You seem to know everything.



Should I just start by tuning my AFM to let more air in?

 

LoL... just post it here, then other people can chime in too.

I assume this is a turbo motor?

 

No, it's a N/A. I was kidding about just Pm'ing you by the way. I was just letting you know how smart you are.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAgCrNlscpY

Here's a video of it, too bad the audio doesn't line up with the video. I also forgot to mention that even when it is warm, it still throws a little bit of smoke out at 4000 RPM+.

 

Yeah, you could adjust your AFM. Also check your cylinder head temp sensor connection. A cat will help somewhat too, but if the plugs are wet, it is running too rich.

 

So is it safe to rule a bad headgasket out of the equation?

 

Does it have overheating probs or use a lot of coolant?

 

I honestly couldn't tell you. I have driven it less than 6 kilometers in the whole time I have had it, and haven't really even checked the coolant since I got it.

 

i sit just me, or does it sound like the car might be missing a lil? did you ever check the timing? do a tune up? if its been sitting and you didnt replace that stuff could contribute to not doing a full burn of the fuel, but if the tips are actually wet, then that might only help out so much and in which case you got some diagnosing to do. seems like its running rich though. cant that also be caused by a bad O2 sensor and of CHTS/?

 

A) I replaced all the fluids before I started her up(oil, antifreeze,)
B) Replaced AFM with a unit from a running, driving car
C) Replaced spark plugs
D) Replaced Fuel and Oil filters.
E) Replaced coil, and all high tension wires
F) Replaced gas tank, and fuel pump.

I haven't timed it yet, so that could possibly be this issue. I think when I get home I'll just try to mess around with the A/F ratio and the timing.

 

replace the cap and rotor? or just the coil and wires

 

Coil and wires. The cap and rotor seem to be almost brand new.

 

Is that the '79? if so then there should not be an O2 sensor. If your plug or plugs are wet then yes it could be timing, not "enough" spark, incorrect gaps on the plugs, crossed plug wires, leaking injectors.....I assume you have no muffler?

I would check the firing order first, then the plug gaps, the timing next, then the injectors for leaks...the pattern here is easiest/cheapest things first.

 

Clean the terminals on the head temp sensor and the connector.