Hi,

I am new here so please excuse any "lack of information". I have a 1995 Z28 all stock convertible automatic. I bought it about a year ago and it has been sitting in my driveway for about that long never being driven due to tag & insurance and the problem I am about to reference.

Okay, the first week I had the car It drove fine, then one day I was doing about 50 MPH everything was smooth and BAMM ! the car backfired and the RPM needle bounced all over the place and the car finally stalled and a little smoke came into the cabin of the drivers side.

THus the reasoning behind the car sitting for so long.

I recently tried to start the car. No power (so I replaced the battery) when turning the key over there is alot of loud clicking and popping and it does finally turn over now but the service engine light will come on intermittently, then, disappear. THe car also backfires at heavy revving and release of gas.

Now , Im not a mechanic AT ALL so I could really use any theories from the experts here before I get potentially ripped off by a local mechanic.
Is there anything that stands out that this could be (any of the problems)

I am sure that there is a Exhaust manifold leak more then likely causing the backfire right ?
I just cant figure out why the car bounced the RPM needle back in the early days of ownership as well as I still cant place the smoke either.

ANy help would be really appreciated.

thank you so much

 

Sounds like an ignition timing problem. Backfires happen when intake valves are open and the plug fires. Could be a problem with the Optispark distributor, timing chain, cross-firing on weak ignition wires, etc. An erratic tach signal could be caused by a faulty reading from the optical sensor in the Optispark distributor. Timing could be off due to a damaged timing chain/sprockets. Backfires can also result from sticking valves.

You indicate the SES light comes on. Scanning the PCM for codes would be the logical place to start the diagnosis.

 

thanks very much I will do that