92 storm 1.6l engine problems

i have a 92 1.6l with approx 72k miles on it. I recently have had problems with the "electronic spark timing" (i'm not sure what part that means), i also have a bad O2 sensor and a crack in my exhaust manifold.

my question is, I've been having a loss of power when ever i go over 3500 rpm, however today i had an extreme loss of power over 2000 rpm while going up hill. i pulled the car over to take a look under the hood and i noticed that the exhaust manifold was glowing a nice cherry red, and the exhaust pipe was red as far down as i could see. what can be causing this to overheat so bad? The temp gauge doesnt even go to the half way point.

any ideas? please help!!!

thanks
jeff

I'll bet your catalytic convertor is clogged. Depending on how long your O2 sensor was bad, would determine how much raw fuel was dumped into it. Sounds to me like it definately clogged up and causing a restriction of exhaust gases in turn making everything in front of it extremely hot. Same thing happened on mine when my O2 and map sensor were bad. Mine would stall out occasionaly at stop lights when all the exhaust gas would build up and as soon as i got it moving it would putter along.As for the crack in the manifold, it's a very common problem on these engines. pacesetter makes a good replacement header that comes with all the gaskets and stuff to install for about $160, then just throw on a hi-flow cat, and a cat back exhaust and your ready to go. hope this fixes your problem.

yah...i replaced my manifold, o2 sensor, cat-converter, and my magnetic pick up... that definitly fixed the problem.


however, now I have a different problem. My car is throwing code 44 "o2 sensor is detecting lean exhaust" or something along those lines. the symptoms are once in a while it will stall..and other then that nothing...the check engine light will come on for a lil bit and then it will go away..

any ideas?


thanks
jeff

Did you use new gaskets on the exhaust manifold? The O2 sensor should be a single wire. Did you set the base timing? (you have to bypass the ecm with a paper clip in the aldl connector found in the passenger right side kick panel, terminals 1 and 3)? possibly a bad map sensor. If you have a vacuum gauge you could check that. i'm thinking it might be more along the lines of exhaust gasket leaking or timing is off.

yes i used all new gaskets for everything... the o2 sensor was a 1 wire one. as for the timing i had someone else do the distributor part since i'm not that good with it, but he checked the timing and said it was correct...i dont have access to a vacuum gage so i cant check that.

how can i check if its an exhaust gasket leak?

thanks
jeff