Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Engine Tech => Topic started by: 88TbirdTurbo on January 17, 2008, 02:58:08 PM

Title: issues with T/C 2.3
Post by: 88TbirdTurbo on January 17, 2008, 02:58:08 PM
I have a 88 T/C with 2.3l turbo. the care hesitates in the all gears when putting the pedal to the floor. When I dont, and the let the boost build it doesn't hesitate that much. Do I have wastegate problems or something else?

The car is stock with a rick gillis stage one boost valve
thanks
Title: issues with T/C 2.3
Post by: Red_LX on January 17, 2008, 03:21:21 PM
How much boost are you running? Does it sound like it has a boost leak?

Are the plugs gapped correctly?
Title: issues with T/C 2.3
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on January 17, 2008, 03:39:49 PM
IF it isn't the fuel filter, it's probably the fuel pump(almost defiantly if it has 100K and the original pump)... Need to verify it has 1lb additional fuel pressure for each lb boost... Base pressure should be 39lb plus 15lb for full boost... OR approx 54lbs...

This can only be verified driving the car or on a dyno while monitoring pressure...
Title: issues with T/C 2.3
Post by: 88TbirdTurbo on January 17, 2008, 06:37:03 PM
well its got the stock fuel pump at 167,000 miles  and the plugs are gapped at 37. I will take a look at the pump. I just replaced the plugs and fuel filter about 2,000 miles ago. the  rick gillis boost valve is set to 6threads which is 2lbs over stock settings. so I guess its around 12 or 13.5 lbs of boost. It was trying to hesitate before changing the boost valve thats why i thought it was the wastegate?
Title: issues with T/C 2.3
Post by: SLEEPER T-BIRD 87 on January 17, 2008, 07:04:52 PM
Quote from: 88TbirdTurbo;198428
and the plugs are gapped at 37.



Gap em at .025-.030
Title: issues with T/C 2.3
Post by: Chuck W on January 17, 2008, 07:30:00 PM
Quote from: 88TbirdTurbo;198428
well its got the stock fuel pump at 167,000 miles  and the plugs are gapped at 37.


Ding!  WAAAAYYY too much gap on the stock ignition system.
Title: issues with T/C 2.3
Post by: 88TbirdTurbo on January 18, 2008, 12:47:43 PM
thanks I will try it out
Title: issues with T/C 2.3
Post by: ipsd on January 18, 2008, 02:22:20 PM
also check to see if the knock sensor is pulling timing.
Title: issues with T/C 2.3
Post by: 88TbirdTurbo on January 18, 2008, 03:35:30 PM
Ok So I am new the T-Bird, where is the knock sensor and how do I check to see if its pulling timing
Title: issues with T/C 2.3
Post by: Chuck W on January 18, 2008, 03:48:45 PM
The knock sensor is screwed into the lower intake, and to test it you unplug it and drive the car to see if the problem goes away. 

You need to pull your plug gap in first though, it is way out of spec.
Title: issues with T/C 2.3
Post by: 88TbirdTurbo on January 18, 2008, 04:06:04 PM
ok I just put new plugs in and gapped them at .28 as told from earlier. As far the knpen 15 sensor I'll give it a try. I just got back from a test drive and the hesitation is starting between 3,000-4,000 range its like there is a dead spot in the turbo. I back off the rick gillis boost valve to stock settings and helped a little bit. but there is still hesitation. I think that the range that I am having problems in starts when the turbo to kick in.  I noticed driving that the boost will build and then comes the hesitatoin That why intialy thought it to be a wastegate issue!
Title: issues with T/C 2.3
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on January 18, 2008, 04:52:05 PM
Quote from: 88TbirdTurbo;198619
  I noticed driving that the boost will build and then comes the hesitatoin That why intialy thought it to be a wastegate issue!


Classic lack of fuel pressure... Been there done that, have 8/9 T-Shirts...
Title: issues with T/C 2.3
Post by: 88TbirdTurbo on January 18, 2008, 06:17:07 PM
ok lack of fuel pressure what is the advice to fix it? New fuel pump, bigger injectors, Or maybe just clean the injectors out?
Title: issues with T/C 2.3
Post by: gumby on January 18, 2008, 07:07:26 PM
ok, first lets keep all your symptoms and things you have tried/previously fixed in one place. makes it alot easier to help you.
Quote from: 88TbirdTurbo;198631
I have the same issue after replacing the TPS I am still having problems with it idiling after worm up?
TPS may have some relevance to a hesitation on tip in throttle, so this info needs to be here so we can see the "big picture."
Quote from: 88TbirdTurbo;198629
.....So I disconnected the knock sensor and the hesitation went away. Do I need to be careful for anything after I disconnect the sensor. The Boost valve that I ran, I started at the vacum t-line and through before the turbo. I havent had any issue's the this boost valve
with the KS disconnected, you need to listen for detonation. if it was pulling timing, you need to figure out why. lack of fuel with higher then stock boost levels can cause detonation. check your fuel pressure under boost, as TC50 suggested.
Title: issues with T/C 2.3
Post by: 88TbirdTurbo on January 18, 2008, 10:58:08 PM
Ok thanks, I am new at this I will keep that in mind next time. I Appreciate the info so far. I will take a look the timing issue.
Title: issues with T/C 2.3
Post by: ipsd on January 19, 2008, 11:23:39 AM
yes i'm with all you guys. check everything. get everything back to base then work back into turning the boost up and such. i suggested the knock sensor  because of personal experience. these 2.3t's are a little  tricky some times. keep plugin away and you'll get it.