1993 regal 3.1 troubleshooting question

Hubby and I are having a problem with our car! Here it goes...

We were driving up the street a month ago, and all of a sudden the car wouldn't let us accelerate. When we finally got it home it wouldn't start, even with a boost. (the boost blew out our lights at the front end, so we figure we're going to need to replace a sparkplug).
We replaced the battery hoping this would help, and the car now starts... but after driving a block the car won't let us accelerate... it also backfires. There is black smoke out of the tale pipe when we have this problem.
Before we replaced the battery we noticed the coolant sign coming on all the time, we filled the coolant and can't put anymore coolant in. There are no leaks either.
The car seems fine when the engine is cool, but if it heats up even a little bit we get the acceleration problems as well as the backfire and black smoke.
Any ideas?
We figure it's got something to do with the coolant not getting to the engine. At the beginning we figure it was a fuel inject problem... we're confused lol.

Thanx,
Dragan

I had a 93 Buick Regal 3.8 that had some of the problems you mentioned. One of the times I started the car the service engine light came on and then while driving the car it would not shift gears and the odometer and speedometer weren't working. At highway speeds the car seemed ok, it was at lower speeds that the car acted differently. Anyhow, I took it to a dealer and they replaced the speed sensor. Not sure if related to yours but thought it worth mentioning.

well here goes if theres nothing serious wrong with the engine like a bad valve in the head or anything like that i suspect possibly the coolant temp sensor could be bad . the coolant temp sensor when at cold start up sends a default temp number so the computer can make fuel / air adjustments after engine reaches temperature the coolant temp sensor takes actual temp readings then the comp makes adjustments according to temp.I'm also thinking possibly something going on with the egr valve or system . other things to consider how are the spark plugs,spark plug wires, coil pack posts are they clean /new etc . another good idead is removing idle air control valve and throttle body and clean the carbon build up . im not gaurenteeing a fix for black smoke but it could help in some ways . g/luck

Have you tried testing any of the componients? Haynes or Chiltons will give specs on things like EGR valve and the Throttle Position Sensor. I would also check the Idle Air Control valve. This can remain closed and cause the engine to run very rich (black smoke) and if rich enough would cause the car to be hard to start because it would be flooded. The IAC and the Throttle Possition Sensor are a bit of a longshot but worth checking since it is a very quick thing to do. I agree with jeepguy I would look very closely at the EGR and ignition system.

Have you tried testing any of the componients? Haynes or Chiltons will give specs on things like EGR valve and the Throttle Position Sensor. I would also check the Idle Air Control valve. This can remain closed and cause the engine to run very rich (black smoke) and if rich enough would cause the car to be hard to start because it would be flooded. The IAC and the Throttle Possition Sensor are a bit of a longshot but worth checking since it is a very quick thing to do. I agree with jeepguy I would look very closely at the EGR and ignition system.


The EGR will not fix this problem. The EGR allows for recirculation of engine gas to burn. My EGR was toast for months it was the source of high NOx gas in the emissions, other wise the car ran fine.