I parked my TGP in 2004 for some routine maintenance and just never got back to her :( (Yeah I have so many projects I can and do get distracted for years) So today is the day I am going to start methodically going through her with a fine tooth comb, well since letting her sit for 4 years probably introduced all sorts of additional problems that I now must address.
My plan for today
- disconnect the fuel line from the rail, put +12V to the pump and pump out all that old gas (Ugh, it hurts to think I probably paid 1.79 a gallon for this tank of what used to be 92 octane, but it's shit now - should run the mower fine though :))
- replace the fuel filter afterwards
- put 5 gal fuel + 2 bottles injector cleaner in the tank (ISO heet? anyone use anything better?)
- replace battery
- check belts/hoses for rot
- check tires for flatspotting/ check inflation
- check airbox for debris
- change oil/filters
- replace throttle position sensor (the original reason why I parked her 4 years ago)
Can anyone think of anything I'm missing?
...this ought to be a blast LOL - I'll post all the stuff that transpires as it comes.
WOW, its the well known Mongoose (AKA Mr. Arcade) :icon_eek: Glad to see your back in the Game :laugh:
Thanks! :) Yeah, I've been out of commission for a while - my job and family obligations just took precedence for a while. It feels good to be back in the garage ^_^
Got the battery out, blew out leaves, dirt, twigs, tree seeds, spiderwebs, crickets out of engine bay.
checked serpentine belt and coolant hoses for rot (none, good, however the pulleys have some surface rust on them now, should be ok though)
checked and adjusted tire pressure (all tires down by ~ 20 lbs, sheesh)
paint on roof bubbled in the sun, looks like I'll have to sand and prime that - not too worried since the whole car seems to need a respray - the original GM clearcoat is peeling off like crazy almost everywhere. In general though she's fine, all the metal is good.
I would probably also think you'l need to do brakes on all 4 corners.
think it sat long enough to get some condensate in the lines, huh. Agh you're right - yep will check that too, thanks :)
I ended up doing some needed electrical work on my wife's toyota after I posted last. And as you all know, her car must always come first no matter what (if you know what's good for ya) - I'll be getting back to the TGP this week.
I left off powering up the electrical and checking fuel pump, fan, interior systems, HUD, windows, (ugh the radio is LOC'd again, and my wheel radio controls seem to be frozen, I'll have to take a look at that later if I ever want to hear tunes again :P) And I should flush the old coolant and tranny fluid too.
Nice you will probably find a lot of new people around here.......me included. Nice to have you back, even though I never knew you were missing hahaha.
Ken
i remember coming across your website years ago before i even had a TGP. Glad to see you still have it.
Heh, it might have sat for a while, but there's probably no way I'd ever get rid of my TGP :)
OK, here's a progress report, a few problems today, but progress nonetheless:
1) I replaced the throttle position sensor first, since that was easy and right there on top.
2) I then disconnected the fuel line near the firewall, jumped the pump test connection to 12V and pumped out the tank. To my surprise, the old fuel didnt look bad - replaced with 5 gal of 93 anyway.
3) replaced fuel filter
4) put the key in acc position and, strange, didn't hear the fuel pump prime ???
5) car started with ether, but no dice otherwise (sounds great!!)
6) fuel pressure at the rail: 0 PSI, ugh.
7) buy new fuel pump and filter sock. I dropped the tank, siphoned the gas back out, removed sending unit to install pump
8) discover burnt common wire and connector on sending unit (crap)
so right now I'm not comfortable trying to repair the burnt wiring and connector, since it could just open up later on and I'll have to do this all over. Not sure if I did that damage when jumping the pump, but regardless, I am going to get another sending unit, just for the wiring.
I'll keep you posted!
I have a spare sending unit from my old 89 SE if you're interested.. http://www.w-body.com/forum/index.php?topic=67858.msg880486#msg880486
Welcome back Chuck. :icon_mrgreen:
@TGP Nick does the electrical wiring where the pigtail passes through the cover disassemble? If so, then I might be interested - I couldn't see if it did or not (it didn't seem to at first blush anyway) Otherwise I'll need an assembly where the cover and hardlines are intact
@mfewtrail - thanks man - it's good to be back in the groove :icon_cool:
I am not sure.. I can check for you tomorrow though.
Could you rewire it using your existing parts? I don't remember what it looks like going through the cover. Probably potted with some type of IR epoxy resistant to fuel. you might be able to rip out the old potting and run new wires then repot it with something off the shelf? Or make a trip to the JY? I'll look next time I go to the yardzzzzzz if a gas tank is laying out on the ground.
Ken
naw, I looked at it, it isn't just the wiring - the plastic receptacle where the molex connector plugs in is scorched and semi-melted - at this point I don't really want to mess with it - I'll sleep better knowing I just replaced the thing - and as long as I have the tank down why not... :)
BTW I am painting my tank since I got the thing out, it'll look cool (gunmetal blue-grey metallic) when I put it back :)
I prepped and painted the gas tank this weekend - looks very nice now (I may even pinstripe, who knows)! I am still farting around with parts yards, hopefully will get that sending unit sent out to me this week.
Anyone have a good source for replacement weatherstrip? my trunk needs it bad (water getting in the spare tire well)
holy crap, I had no idea that it would be this hard to locate a good used sending unit - I have JY owners telling me that the sending unit on the TGP is unique to only 89 and 90 GM vehicles??? This sounds weird, I'm thinking that any 88-96 GM 3.1-3.4L would have the same tank and sending unit - can anyone confirm?
http://www.racepages.com/products/?N=11920+4294967245+1697+4294966976+11522
See if any items on this page are what you are looking for....
Quote from: mongoose on September 01, 2008, 03:55:50 PM
holy crap, I had no idea that it would be this hard to locate a good used sending unit - I have JY owners telling me that the sending unit on the TGP is unique to only 89 and 90 GM vehicles??? This sounds weird, I'm thinking that any 88-96 GM 3.1-3.4L would have the same tank and sending unit - can anyone confirm?
Chuck, my part manual scans(located in the common part #'s thread in the general section) show that the 1988-1991 cars have the same part # for the sending unit. 92, 93, and 94-96 all have separate part #'s.
http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f14/platjblser/?action=view¤t=gp16.jpg
Thanks Matt & GPchief! Looks like I may not need the whole thing after all? The pigtail/harness is what burned up and the raceparts page has a carter OEM replacement there for ~$20 - I will order that and just refit my existing one.
suhhhweeeet :icon_cool:.
took a closer look and the pigtail is only the internal half :P, BUT I went back through racepages and found a whole sender with the correct harness code (WES) for $66.50 shipped!! Woohoooo! Thanks for the link! My part is on it's way....
Finally got the tank back up with the new pump/sender and fired her up - She runs like I parked her only yesterday - nice and smooth! I do need to do a couple of things before I OK her for general driving though
1) Brake light came on - probably moisture in the lines. Slightly spongy. Will bleed all 4 sides
2) When on test drive out in the country, I pulled a U turn to head back and when I stopped, she jumped out of gear in OD and wouldn't re-engage. I had to shift her down into 1st and then she took off. Did the same think at a stop sign. Will check tranny fluid level - hopefully nothing mechanical wrong there (anyone have other ideas on a possible cause? LMK)
Anyway - I am thrilled. I love this car. It took off like a raped ape after being parked for 4 years LOL
could be old fluid slash not enough, check it hot on level ground running!
Ken
still having problems with the trans - fluid level is good but I think the OD band is shot :P
when the governor valve starts to stick, your trans wont downshift properly. Its 2 bolts i believe, never removed one from a 4t60 but it shouldnt be hard. good luck!