platnum78

I have a 91 camaro with 170,000 miles. I have been experiencing starting problems but the problems only seem to occur when the engine is hot. When I try to start the engine when it is hot the dash lights dim as if the starter was trying to turn the engine over but nothing happens no click nothing but the dimming. After about 20-25 tries and 30 mins after turning the car off it will just start no problem. Another thing that I have noticed is that after the car is hot the oil pressure drops dramatically almost near red while I idle in gear at a light, and the idle is very rough almost seems like it might stall. The starter is one year old, and I have installed a heat shield on it. The battery is fine. Do any of you have any suggestions or similar past problems?

TheGreatJ

the starting problem sounds like heat soak. Iif the starter you put in is remanufactured, the windings in the solenoid are slightly different than the original factory windings. When they get hot they expand, and can lock up the solenoid. This is a common problem with F-body's since the starter is so close to the exhaust. Heat shields usually help but don't always cure the problem. You can try getting a new (not rebuilt) solenoid and swapping it onto your starter, or use my method and take the oppurtunity to get a gear reduction starter.


As far as the oil pressure problem...you have 170,000 miles of wear on your bearings and oil pump. The clearances are gettin a bit loose which makes it harder to maintain pressure. Try a thicker oil or get ambitious and do a bearing/oil pump job.

platnum78

I thought about the oil. I was thinking about running a 40-50 weight I use 30 right now. I also use Fram filter which I just heard is not good to use... no reason why though.

As for the starting problem, my mechanic who has always seemed like a good guy suggested that I had a warped cylinder. I was however thinking about a remote mount soloniod to get it away from that y collector. A $25 repair is much more favorable than him charging me to put in a new block. Besides I would rather save for a big block. Thanks I needed to know if these things would actually help.

aklim

A better starter might not have that problem. I have a higher compression motor so I got a GM high torque starter and it works fine. In any case, I never had a problem like that with any starter stock or otherwise.

At that low pressure, I would suggest an entire rebuild. Pressure is way too low at warm idle. I would say no less than 25 psi is good.

TheGreatJ

I've been running Fram filters for years and have never had a problem with them.

With 170k on the clock I would be running 20-50. But thats just me. I figure 5-30 till 100k, then 10-40 till 150k, then 20-50 till I blow it up or need to rebuild it. The rule of thumb is that you need 10psi for every 1000 rpm.....I personally wouldn't like less than 20-25 at idle though.

platnum78

I decided to run a 20-50, got a new oil filler cap and the pressure is fine now thanks.