| Author |
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Etennuly
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - 09:25 am: | 
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Surge at idle could be many things. Has the trans been serviced. The trans filter may be plugging up, usually most notable if it sat for a while, then put back in service. Check fluid see if it is anything other than new looking.
Could be many other things mechanical. Vacuum hoses first suspect. EGR, O2 sensor, rotor/dist cap/wires, plugged/rusty exhaust. You could need at least a case of beer! |
Azxb9r
| | Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2008 - 04:52 pm: |
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The trans in that van should be a 4L60E. They have been pretty solid overall, but you must keep the fluid clean and full, a cooler would be a good idea too.
The engine is most likely either a 5.0 or 5.7 liter V-8, both very solid if you change the oil once in a while.
FI system on the 94 should be a TBI unit. This is a basic, no frills FI system that has good throttle response and few problems.
As far as the surge is concerned there are several possibilities. If the trans. fluid is low you can end up with a hunting or surging idle. The A/C system cycling can also cause this, as well as a sticky IAC motor, a bad ground, a sticking EGR valve, or a PCM that is acting up.These are a few common issues, there are plenty of other things.
Do you have any maintenance records? If so, compare what has been done to what is called for, and do what is necessary to catch up(if any). If you do not have any records, I would recommend changing all the fluids, inspecting/replacing all the rubber(belts, hoses, tires) components, as well as spark plugs, wires, cap, rotor, air and fuel filter, and PCV valve. It would also be a good idea to have a look at the brakes and u-joints. By doing this you can establish your own "maintenance baseline" to work off of.
Some other weak spots include the sidepost battery. Be sure that the terminals are clean and tight(but not too tight). Sometimes the pivot on the automatic belt tensioner will begin to seize, causing it to put too much tension on the belt, which burns up the bearings in the alt. The other problem the tensioners have, is coming apart at the pivot, you can see if that is starting to happen just by looking at it.
At 120K the van should still have plenty of life left in it, but it is one of the points where you are liable to see a number of items reaching the end of there usable life, things like the water pump, fuel pump,starter and alt., etc.
Good luck with your new "race support vehicle" |
Coolice
| | Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2008 - 10:47 pm: |
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Gee you guys sound old.....
I still have my 77 Chevy Nomad van, sb 400, 12x,xxx miles, had the body all redone, New AR chrome rims and BFG tires and its been in heated storage for 4 yrs. Any body interested? Has a full tank of gas  |
No_rice
| | Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2008 - 11:31 pm: |
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i just stopped to look at a 99 chevy panel van sitting in town. the door unlocked so i gave it a good look see. $3200 so i thought it was atleast worth stopping. rubber mat floor. 2 buckets and thats it.
its new enough it has the digital odometer so i thought damn i wonder how many miles are on it. well i happen to look up towards the corner of the windshield and about crapped. there was one of the oil change reminders stuck there that said 380,000 miles on it. i just shut the door and walked away.
it didnt look bad, but there is no way im getting into a 400,000 mile vehicle unless that thing is damn near free! |
Mr_grumpy
| | Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2008 - 06:47 am: |
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I'm a Mopar man like Ratbuell, but I'd agree on the tranny, as for the rest just keep on top of the maintenance & it'll run for ever. if the injection packs up, don't piss about, just slap another intake & a carb on it, there's so much available for those lumps. |
Thumper74
| | Posted on Saturday, June 14, 2008 - 10:46 am: |
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Any word on the surge?
On the lines of fun cars... My two faves were station wagons. I had a Fairmont wagon swapped in the powertrain of a 5.0 Mustang (Foxbody so same platform...) and built a 347 stroker for it. She was running high 12's had a cage tucked up rear close to the body and was grocery getter beige. I also had an Edsel Ranger Hearse, complete with rollers in the back. |
Wolfridgerider
| | Posted on Monday, June 23, 2008 - 07:59 am: |
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Any word on the surge?
Me thinks its because the fluid level is LOW!
I'm gonna pick up some Lucas trans stuff on my way home...... WHAT at DC! should have checked that when I brought the van home!
I hope a little juice will fix it.... |
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