Alright, took the z28 out to the bank and I was heading to my gf house, I was on the highway and I got off the exit. I stopped at the light and then when I went to make the left turn onto a major road the car seemed to have lost all power. The los was so bad, the car started shaking as I made the turn. I reved it once and the rev sounded all muffled and deadened. The weird thing is, the car was working great seconds before this happened. I dropped it down getting onto the highway and ripped through the gears and all was well. Only took it to 70. Any ideas? Ill list the problems in case no one wants to read it.

1. Total loss of engine power, but no electric problems
2. Very bad poping sounds coming from back of car, sounds like in the muffler or cat
3. Very bad vibration


Havent done anything to the car recently. Full exhaust change in the beginning of march and an oil change last week.

Thanks

 

O, I also smelled burning and it smelled like the clutch was burning, but I dont think it was that.

 

You sure it's coolant? The A/C drips water directly onto the exhaust on mine. If coolant, maybe a bad hose or connection goint thru the firewall

 

I m a putz, trying to post on the coolant leak problem. But I'll give this one a shot. Have 170000 miles on mine. Every once in a while when I started it b4 all the mods at 94000 miles, it would start and run like crap. Backfiring and the exhaust manifolds got red hot. Like the timing was a tooth off in the distributor. (I'm an old guy I know what this does) I'd pull off the road shut it down and start it up and it would be fine. Other than that if the opti has seen some deep water, maybe some got in there. Could be water in gas. Oh ya, the fuel filter should be changed at least every 50000 miles, probably more like 30000. Cut them open and it's amazing how much brown crap is in there. Check connection on the distributor, lots of corrosion in there

 

This may sound stupid but were you low on fuel ? All though you said you were making a left turn, that usually makes the fuel rise a bit soo .....hmm I was driving down th road on the way home from work one day ,stoped at a gas station to get cigs . fired my car up put it in d and started to take off and it starts to hesitate a little so I think. I better get her home so I am on the way home and the dang thing keeps hesitating , went down a hill and it stalls. Try to start it cranks but wont turn over so I think fudge fuel pump is shot. Becuase my brother made me I went and got a gallon of gas and put in my tank. Walla fixed I totaly ruled that out because my guage said 1/4 of a tank. Dang thing was stuck! Dont know this helps

 

It may be a the Cat is plugged disintegrated finally let go.Never had this happen to my Camaros.But I had the same thing happen to my Cougar XR7 and thats what it was.Have read others posts of the problem w/ their Camaros bad cats.And the serious loss of power is a symptom,also bad shaking. Pretty cheap"if not free" test at a midas or chain muffler stores.

 

I am hoping it could jus be something that will go away lol, it could be the cat, but the cat is only 3 months old. I had a half tank of gas. O and I dont know if it matters, but the temperature guage was reading just above 160, usually it runs way hotter than that.

 

Well, I took it out a few minutes ago and it is still running like ****. I didnt get as many compression pops though. It sounds like a gurlgle and clunking from under the car. I noticed at certain rpms the car runs smooth, i think 2nd and 3rd at 2500 rpm where as they should be, but first gear is total ****, horrible horrible vibrating, I had to rev it up to 4 to get enough power to make it up my driveway.

 

Couple of questions:


is the ses light on?

have you checked for burned wires?

does it run better when in open loop - ie in the first 2 minutes of starting?

 

I did not notice an ses light and when I first start it up it starts fine and it reversed fine, but once in first, clug clug clug, ran like ****. I have to rev so high to start moving in girst gear. I looked to see for burned spark plug wires, because I smelled some burning last night.

 

90% chance you have a clogged/dead cat converter. I've put 2 on my car over time, and what you describe is exactly what it feels like whan a catalytic goes on you. It clogs up the exhaust and the engine has no power, smells lame and just generally acts freaky.

Good news is, it's an easy and cheap fix. Get a new cat. And you will probably find out you're running rich. That's what nukes 'em, mostly.

 

Hmmm...it is a carsound got, I actually bought two, but when the shop installed my longtubes, they only used one. So I believe they still have the cat, I never got the computer tuned, but the cat is barely 3 months old, went out pretty quick. I called the shop, but they wont be in till Monday, so I left a message.