1989 Chevrolet Camaro Rough Idle

Reader Question: I was wondering if you might be able to help me out.

I have a 1989 Chevrolet Camaro 5.0L V8 and I am having some trouble with it and every mechanic I talk to does not seem to know what the problem is. When I start the car, it will idle a little uneven at first then even out.

However, when I put the car in gear it will stall out unless I hit the throttle and take off. I was just wondering if you might know some things this could be.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

William

Hey William,

If this is a fuel-injected engine, I would first start with cleaning the throttle body and I would clean the injectors if this is a multi port fuel injected engine.

Second, I would look and listen for a vacuum leak under the hood with the engine running. You can carefully take a can of intake cleaner or WD40 and lightly spray around the intake manifold and throttle body area with the engine running.

Since both of those products are flammable if you have a vacuum leak it will suck up the product and increase the engine RPM, thus pinpointing the vacuum leak. Make sure you do not spray around the distributor or spark plugs or spark plug wires or you will have a fir on your hands.

I would also want to test the TPS throttle position sensor and read the computer codes with a hand scanner.

Lastly, I would get someone to bang on the bottom of the fuel tank with their fist or a rubber hammer when the engine is running ragged. If the RPM’s change, chances are you have a weak fuel pump.

Blessings,
Austin Davis