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1979' Camaro: Smokes, Slow idle, smells hot.
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djheadphoneskid
New User
Apr 9, 2018, 8:40 PM
Post #1 of 3
(1189 views)
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1979' Camaro: Smokes, Slow idle, smells hot.
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Hello
I've got a 1979 Camaro with the 305 5.0 engine.
The other night, I was driving it home from work and noticed that it smelled hot. Pulled up to a stop light and noticed that it was idling slow and smoking. (Usually idles around 850rpm and was idling as low as 400rpm... assuming the sketchy aftermarket rpm gauge is accurate). As I got home and put it in park, it stalled and I left it to sit overnight. The next day I checked the oil and there was almost nothing on the dipstick. Filled it up with oil, it started fine with no smoke and was idling fine. Ran inside my house, and when I came back out it was idling slow, smoking, and smelled hot. I shut it off quickly and let it sit for a few days. Started it today and the same thing happens. There's no smoke on start, and it idles fine for a few minutes, but then it smokes, idles slow, and smells hot.
Any ideas what what could be wrong? The only thing I could possibly think is that it's the head gaskets, but I'm hoping it's something easier than that.
Thanks for any help and tips
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 10, 2018, 2:32 AM
Post #2 of 3
(1180 views)
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Re: 1979' Camaro: Smokes, Slow idle, smells hot.
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Hi - I have mostly questions and what is/was common need to know the general condition and how this car is used now like a stored car only taken out now and then or just what?
About anything as carbs were struggling includes this was a vacuum hose part electronic carburetor nightmare. Anything to do with vacuum and include PCV and hose AND vacuum to brake booster all to be ruled out or checked - oil alone will swell up hoses.
Smoke could just be burning off valve covers leaking oil onto hot exhaust just FYI. Low oil if really too low should eventually trigger the red warning - shut down if you see that ever while running and make sure it works! Turn key just to run without starting to see if warning bulbs work there no oil pressure then oil warning should be lit.
That warning mean NOW not check oil - know that.
Do be super careful with vacuum "tree" hoses if no good, loose or problems to remove and replace cut and peel hose off go super easy on the spouts then bust like raw pasta + just as impossible to fix.
If this is sludged up you can see that on dipstick, under oil cap or look thru it a shame for a neat old car now do check up to taking a valve cover off if need be so you and we know and choose options depending a lot on how good this car is or just now a beater.
Refresh no oil level found on dipsticks: If nothing seen it may only be 1.5 Qt. low? That's OK only for so long if you checked level instantly after it ran oil didn't have time to return to pan. No vehicle should be run if really low on oil - this if a stored car check it before you even start it if it sat a good while,
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 10, 2018, 5:06 AM
Post #3 of 3
(1172 views)
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Re: 1979' Camaro: Smokes, Slow idle, smells hot.
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when I came back out it was idling slow, smoking, and smelled hot. I shut it off quickly and let it sit for a few days. Started it today and the same thing happens. There's no smoke on start, and it idles fine for a few minutes, but then it smokes, idles slow, and smells hot.
Did you check the oil a second time?
Are there any noises?
Have you checked the coolant level?
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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