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97 3.1 surges on take-off and has massive torque steer


decollect
06-07-2005, 02:17 PM
Howdy folks, new to the forum, not new to cars though. Have a '90 Lumina with over 315k on the clock, but having questions about my newer '97.
It's a former police edition, 3.1 with pretty much the standard "cop car" goodies (suspension package, no governor on engine, digital speedometer, etc). Has just over 45k on the odometer (that's why I bought it, low mile and former cop car)
I've noticed that when it's moving at idle, I get a little surge from the car. Almost like you're tapping on the accelerator, but it happens only at idle, in gear and while moving. At stop, in gear, it runs smoothly, and upon adding power, it runs smoothly. It just seems to lunge or surge slightly at idle when in gear. In Park or Neutral, she idles just fine with just the barest hint of a miss. I'm relating THAT to plug wires and here's why. First OBD code was 305 for Cyl #5 misfire. Changed out the plugs and now I'm getting the 300 code for Random Cylinder Misfires.

Is this little surging just something relative to a really sensitive suspension or is it engine related or do the tranny's have issues at 45k miles?

2nd problem. Car drives straight as an arrow. However it has a really radical right hand torque steer. I've had lots of FWD cars, some with torque steer tendencies, some with virtually none, detectable. However this Lumina REALLY pulls hard to the right for a few seconds when you're really into the power. Let off the gas, she straightens right up. Cruise down the road, it will go straight as an arrow for miles. Get on the power, you better have your hands on the wheel. I've checked for loose components ie: tie-rod ends, worn bushings, worn strut bearings and the like, and everything seems tight as a drum. Being a former fleet (police) vehicle I do have evidence that this puppy was wrecked in the front end (slightly bent in trans pan) but also have evidence that it was put back together well, and with new parts.
Is radical torque steer normal for '97 Lumina's or better yet, normal for police package Lumina's?

NeonKnight
06-07-2005, 06:11 PM
Is this little surging just something relative to a really sensitive suspension or is it engine related or do the tranny's have issues at 45k miles?

2nd problem. Car drives straight as an arrow. However it has a really radical right hand torque steer. I've had lots of FWD cars, some with torque steer tendencies, some with virtually none, detectable. However this Lumina REALLY pulls hard to the right for a few seconds when you're really into the power. Let off the gas, she straightens right up. Cruise down the road, it will go straight as an arrow for miles. Get on the power, you better have your hands on the wheel. I've checked for loose components ie: tie-rod ends, worn bushings, worn strut bearings and the like, and everything seems tight as a drum. Being a former fleet (police) vehicle I do have evidence that this puppy was wrecked in the front end (slightly bent in trans pan) but also have evidence that it was put back together well, and with new parts.
Is radical torque steer normal for '97 Lumina's or better yet, normal for police package Lumina's?


Well i have a 1991 Euro 3.1 and it does that also. It never had any kinds of accidents in the front or anything. But i always thought it was because the car has some ballz :D

decollect
06-07-2005, 08:02 PM
Neon, Ultimately that's what I'm hoping I find with this puppy as well. This is definitely the fastest FWD I've owned, but I'm looking to make sure I'm not overlooking something. Especially if I'm overlooking something relatively simple that another person might pick up on.

Thanks.

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