I have a 1995 LUMINA and just within the last 2 months, i noticed that when i STOMPED on the gas to pass someone the car stalled REAL bad and blowed BLACK exhaust. When i let up it stopped stalling and ran just fine! Also when FIRST starting it after a long shut down, it idled at 1000 rpms! I know because i have a SUN meter on it. After the car warms up it idles ok. BUT no matter warm or cold it stalls and throws black smoke on a kick down! IS THE CAT BAD???? PLEASE HELP!


Rick

sounds like its running rich to me, maybe try pulling a code from that sucker, it may be OBD 1 yet being 1995, and you can find instruction on how to pull codes from an OBD1 off the net, or even these forums. II dont know much about cat converters, sounds like a bad sensor, maybe an O2 sensor, thats what it was on my 1990 lumina when it kept stalling out. Keep us informed.

Use a vacuum gauge. You can buy one for about $25. If the reading drops slowly with the RPM's held constant at around 2500, you've got restriction in the exhaust or intake path. Make sure you don't have a nest in the airbox. Birds and mice can get in there sometimes and cause what you are describing.