TPI Formula 350 Idle and no low end power
#1
TPI Formula 350 Idle and no low end power
I could use some help. I have been trying to find the problem with my 1989 Formula 350. The car has the original engine but the gentleman I bought it from did some head work after it blew a head gasket. Not sure if the head work is related or not. The air pump has been disconnected and plugged off.
So the problem is that the car idles rough and seems to be searching for the correct idle speed. It also has no low end power (will hesitate when you hit the gas and will not spin the tires on pavement). Once you get up over approximately 3000rpm the car runs fine. It is not blowing any smoke, does not leak anything and it doesn’t seem to matter if the car is warm or cold. Happens all the time. No dash codes.
So, what I’ve done so far..
Replaced the TPS, MAF, new plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, and wires. Plugs all looked good but #1 was a little darker than the rest. A temp gun on all the cylinders gives me a similar reading except the front two which are slightly cooler - guessing due to the fan being up front.
It’s driveable and runs good otherwise. It can be a little hard to start at times but it does always start and it doesn’t die, even at idle.
Thinking injectors are next but before I tear it all apart, any other thoughts?
Appreciate the help.
Thanks - Mike
So the problem is that the car idles rough and seems to be searching for the correct idle speed. It also has no low end power (will hesitate when you hit the gas and will not spin the tires on pavement). Once you get up over approximately 3000rpm the car runs fine. It is not blowing any smoke, does not leak anything and it doesn’t seem to matter if the car is warm or cold. Happens all the time. No dash codes.
So, what I’ve done so far..
Replaced the TPS, MAF, new plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, and wires. Plugs all looked good but #1 was a little darker than the rest. A temp gun on all the cylinders gives me a similar reading except the front two which are slightly cooler - guessing due to the fan being up front.
It’s driveable and runs good otherwise. It can be a little hard to start at times but it does always start and it doesn’t die, even at idle.
Thinking injectors are next but before I tear it all apart, any other thoughts?
Appreciate the help.
Thanks - Mike
#6
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Join Date: May 2017
Location: Fort Worth, TX
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Car: 1992 RS/89 Formula
Engine: 305 TBI/350 TPI
Transmission: auto
Axle/Gears: 2.73/3.08
Re: TPI Formula 350 Idle and no low end power
I could use some help. I have been trying to find the problem with my 1989 Formula 350. The car has the original engine but the gentleman I bought it from did some head work after it blew a head gasket. Not sure if the head work is related or not. The air pump has been disconnected and plugged off.
So the problem is that the car idles rough and seems to be searching for the correct idle speed. It also has no low end power (will hesitate when you hit the gas and will not spin the tires on pavement). Once you get up over approximately 3000rpm the car runs fine. It is not blowing any smoke, does not leak anything and it doesn’t seem to matter if the car is warm or cold. Happens all the time. No dash codes.
So, what I’ve done so far..
Replaced the TPS, MAF, new plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, and wires. Plugs all looked good but #1 was a little darker than the rest. A temp gun on all the cylinders gives me a similar reading except the front two which are slightly cooler - guessing due to the fan being up front.
It’s driveable and runs good otherwise. It can be a little hard to start at times but it does always start and it doesn’t die, even at idle.
Thinking injectors are next but before I tear it all apart, any other thoughts?
Appreciate the help.
Thanks - Mike
So the problem is that the car idles rough and seems to be searching for the correct idle speed. It also has no low end power (will hesitate when you hit the gas and will not spin the tires on pavement). Once you get up over approximately 3000rpm the car runs fine. It is not blowing any smoke, does not leak anything and it doesn’t seem to matter if the car is warm or cold. Happens all the time. No dash codes.
So, what I’ve done so far..
Replaced the TPS, MAF, new plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, and wires. Plugs all looked good but #1 was a little darker than the rest. A temp gun on all the cylinders gives me a similar reading except the front two which are slightly cooler - guessing due to the fan being up front.
It’s driveable and runs good otherwise. It can be a little hard to start at times but it does always start and it doesn’t die, even at idle.
Thinking injectors are next but before I tear it all apart, any other thoughts?
Appreciate the help.
Thanks - Mike
#7
Banned
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: 1992 RS/89 Formula
Engine: 305 TBI/350 TPI
Transmission: auto
Axle/Gears: 2.73/3.08
Re: TPI Formula 350 Idle and no low end power
Check the usual things first. Timing, fuel pressure. Fuel pressure is checked with a gauge hooked up to the rail, the car idling, the vacuum hose disconnected from the regulator and plugged off. Look for 43.5-45 psi. Timing is checked with the EST wire unplugged.
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#8
Re: TPI Formula 350 Idle and no low end power
Thanks!
I have checked the fuel pressure - right at 43 (a little on the low side but I think it's still good?) but I didn't pull the regulator line. Hadn't considered the balancer may be off. The injectors did check good when I did the ohm test but I wondered if one or more is leaky - these are the originals and the car has 125,000 miles.
Dumb question but what/where is the EST wire? I should probably know I guess...
I have checked the fuel pressure - right at 43 (a little on the low side but I think it's still good?) but I didn't pull the regulator line. Hadn't considered the balancer may be off. The injectors did check good when I did the ohm test but I wondered if one or more is leaky - these are the originals and the car has 125,000 miles.
Dumb question but what/where is the EST wire? I should probably know I guess...
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