Brought my 88 Sunbird GT Turbo Convert into Pontiac dealership for routine check. It only has 13,000 original miles and has been garage kept since the day I bought it. Unfortunately since I used it quite infrequently I figure seals may have dried out and they found an oil leak through the distributor turbo fitting. The replaced the distributor (with an aftermarket one because they couldn't get a GM anymore). They also replaced the AC unit and compressor because of leaks.
On the way home from the dealer, the car now stalled at every traffic light after about 10 seconds of idling. (It's NOT the TCC problem that is common with GMs. That was repaired about 2 years ago.)
I brought the car back to the dealer and it has been there now for 2 1/2 weeks. They can't find the problem. The service writer said they've had numerous mechanics and supervisors looking at it, but they still can't figure it out. Pretty lame for a Pontiac Dealership to not be able to figure it out. They even drained the gas tank and refilled with fresh gas but no luck.
I'm not real knowledgeable but after the last call from them I told them that since it did NOT stall prior to my bringing it to them and it does AFTER, I'd say to look at the distributor.
Any ideas?
It really bums me out because this car looks like it came out of the showroom yesterday. No exaggeration. It is SPOTLESS. I was planning on keeping it because of the rarity of the car. I seriously doubt there is another 88 Sunbird GT Turbo Convertible in the country in this condition. Its black with a black top.
But if and when they find the problem, I think I'm selling it as much as it will break my heart.
I would agree with it being an ignition problem. I think you would be better off taking it to a "Ma and Pa" type place, since those guys have alot more experience with older vehicles.
I posted in maintenance on the subject but,if those clowns can't figure it out I would also check the EGR valve to make sure it's not sticking or the vac diaphram inside of it is not toast not so much by use but leaking and causing the vac to be inconsistent and would choke the car but restart every time.Carbon builds up in those things and age does affect it regardless,but still think the timing or distr is the issue.There just new school mech,not doubting there abiltiy just being a 1st gen owner I won't take my car to a dlr cause they would b lost in a haze bc of its age.
Ron,
You were right on the money. Got my Bird back today and it runs great. The dealer finally decided to recheck the distributor they put in and sure enough it was marked incorrectly. They compared it to the old one (which I'm amazed they kept) and made the adjustments. Thanks.
