88 Astro Idling problems

[JMacDonald]

Ive got an 88 astro van with a 4.3 v6 thats not idling or accelerating properly. It starts up fine, but when you put it in drive the engine begins to miss, its almost like someone pulled a couple spark plug wires. Accerleration is missing too, when i take off it kinda bogs down and acts like its not getting proper spark. I checked the firing order and the plug wires are all correct, i also replaced the plugs, cap, wires, and rotor a couple months ago.

[Kings-x59]

I gather the service engine light is not on.
Here's a few suggestions:
If you haven't, pop the distributor cap and inspect the underside to make sure the new rotor didn't eat the new cap.
Next, check all your vacuum hoses, including the hose from the purge canister to the gas tank. Pull each end of each hose off its fitting and check for internal splits. Look for holes worn through on the hard plastic vacuum lines.
If all that checks out ok, then pull the EGR valve and check for carbon clogs. Your '88 EGR should be essentially the same as my '89. If you don't find carbon blockage, it could still be the EGR. The diaphragm on mine just wore out.
The first two suggestions are by far the cheapest to address it there is a problem there.

[JMacDonald]

Thanks alot...i checked the vacuum hoses, but not the egr, ill give it a shot

[davegarman]

Hi, I just returned from my local Chevy dealer after dropping off my 97 Astro with essentially the same complaint. Misfiring from 0 MPH on up just as though someone had pulled off a plug wire or two. Check engine light on solid first day and then flashing on second day and today. A $70 "inspection fee" revealed (according to their computer hook-up) that there were two out of four bad O2 sensors, 5 injectors with low pressure and one injector not operating at all. Repair estimate was $1195.00 and I left the van with them stating I would give them my decision tomorrow. Tonight I found this website (WitchHunter.com) and called them. They clean injectors for $12 each. I thought mine had a throttle body injector but according to local Chevy dealer, not!
Another source said to verify fuel pressure first at fuel filter inlet AND outlet and then up by injector(s) under the hood before I attempt injector R & R. Second source also said ALWAYS use AC/Delco O2 sensors on a Chevy. That's all I know. If you have fixed you problem another way, please let me know ([email protected]) since I still need to fix mine! Thanks, -Dave