Hey Guys, I was wondering if anyone here could help me figure out what is wrong with my Z. It is a 1981 ZX Turbo, auto tranny. It wants to sputter, almost pulsing at low rpm's, if I floor it and the turbo kicks in, it seems to run fine. It's mainly at low speeds. It sometimes hard to keep started too. Thanks for all of your input.

Jeff

 

Possibly your timing... Could be a thousand different things though.

 

is it doing it hot or cold? also.. it sounds like something with air at idle.. may be your TPS could be going bad or your air regulator needs adjustment/replacement.. it sound like its not getting enough air until you floor it and thats when the AFM opens...

 

could be a loose AFM hose.

 

Could be a vacuum leak. Running lean will make it sputter during vacuum, and then the positive pressure from the turbo during boost will leak out making it run rich. Check your vacuum lines, especially those tiny ones on the vacuum pump and even the one leading up to the cruise control mechanism if yours is equipped with CC. Too many hoses in the ZX engine bay, it's hard to keep track of them.

 

You said it man, no joke! I am going to go through the whole engine bay, and check every possible thing. To make sure there is no leaking vaccum lines. While my poor Z sits, and patiently waits!

 

yep, do as wildman is... those vacuum leaks are killers. my Z was nonturbo, so i'm not too sure on that end of things.