Help ASAP....

I searched the forums but wasnt quite sure exactly what to search for.....

Car is :
1983 3.8L V6 Mustang
3 speed automatic.
Carbed.


So the other day i was driving my 86 mustang and the transmission blew on me at 1:30 am leaving me to walk home. Long story short i now have my 83 on the road. So last night i notice i got some squealing coming from the serp belt and it was getting really bad, i swapped the 86's onto the 83 and it ran fine. I let it warm up this morning before school and as soon as id put it in drive the revs started fluctiatin from about 500 down to 100ish and seemed like it was missing on a few cylinders and trying to stall. This only happens when its in gear, when its parked or neutral it idles smoothly at 500 rpm.

If Anyone has annnnnny ideas on what it might be lemme know im startin to lose faith in mustangs :banghead:

If Anyone has annnnnny ideas on what it might be lemme know im startin to lose faith in mustangs :banghead:

yeah the car is only 24 years old :rolleyes:

Thanks for the sarcasm....... I know how old it is, i just want an idea on what might be wrong. because it was running fine last night aside from a screaming serp belt.

That is strange, if I think of anything, I'll get back to you.

How much gas is in it?

GAS :o I NEVER FUCKING THOUGHT ABOUT GAS LEVEL.......... Since when do cars need gas:screwy: :screwy: Ive been putting diesel in it the whole time.


No more damned sarcasm, the gas tanks bout half full so its not that, and liek i mentioned above, it only does it while in gear, were gonna go take a look at it soon mabey ill find somethin out.

There should be some kinda "idle compensator" which opens the throttle blade a little more (for more air/fuel) when in gear. If that has malfunctioned then the vehicle would idle way down or die. Its been a long time ago but I ran into something like this on an old escort maybe, cant remember for sure.

EDIT: I was serious about the gas though. You would be suprised at how many people come on here with problems and overlook the obvious.

Haha ic.

So this idle compensator thing, what does it look like? is it a little cylinder with a metal point on it that touches a part of the throttle linkage? (if that made sense)

I very well could be. Let me check a couple manuals and get back to you.

Ok, I didnt see anything on it in my ford manual or my haynes manual. But I would suggest that you go to a parts store and ask if they have an "idle compensator" for your car in stock. If they dont have one in stock then have them order one for you. Once they get one to show you see if its the right part. But take the part that you think may be faulty and show it to them if they have no clue what you are talking about. I'm not sure that "idle compensator" is the right terminology but thats it's job anyway. Just get one from the parts store and try it out. Hope this helps and I didnt comfuse you. Good luck.

I very well could be. Let me check a couple manuals and get back to you.

Ok, I didnt see anything on it in my ford manual or my haynes manual. But I would suggest that you go to a parts store and ask if they have an "idle compensator" for your car in stock. If they dont have one in stock then have them order one for you. Once they get one to show you see if its the right part. But take the part that you think may be faulty and show it to them if they have no clue what you are talking about. I'm not sure that "idle compensator" is the right terminology but thats it's job anyway. Just get one from the parts store and try it out. Hope this helps and I didnt comfuse you. Good luck.

I think what 351wStang is making reference to is an IAC (Idle Air Control) valve.

The IAC valve should be located on the throttle and should look like some variation of this

http://www.justanswer.com/uploads/HammerTime/2005-10-07_155320_IAC_valve.gif

here is a pic of one on a 2000 mustang gt. i couldnt find a pic on a 3.8l.

http://www.pats-world.com/brightblue00gt/photos/misc/iac%20valve4.jpg

(see im not always sarcastic :wink: )

I tweaked the idle screw on the carb a little bit, and it seem to have fixed it, now im idling at about 900 in park and 500 in drive, im hapy with that lol.

Arn't IACs only on fuel injected engines?

Glad you got it fixed.

Arn't IACs only on fuel injected engines?
Yes.


The IAC valve should be located on the throttle and should look like some variation of this
I think what 351wStang is making reference to is an IAC (Idle Air Control) valve.

His vehicle has a carb, not EFI, so it wouldnt have a IAC.

Thanks for the info! I never thought it woulda been just idle control, I even asked my teacher about it ( in college for mechanics) and he had no clue but started saying other shit like transmission ( hes not the brightest....) Then as i was foolin around looking for vaccum leaks or other small shit that could affect it my dad walks by and says just adjust your idle screw on the carb.......... Shit he was right lol

His vehicle has a carb, not EFI, so it wouldnt have a IAC.

My bad, didn't see where it was a carb engine...otherwise woulda suggested checking the idle screw...sorry! Glad ya got it figured out anyway...

My dad used to do that to me too....I'd be messing with something for days then he'd walk by and say "Do this...." and damn if he wasn't right! I sure do miss those days and him...Happy Father's Day Dad!