1990 Grand AM BAD BAD Idling, power

[tleeburks]

My situation is this:

I have a 90 grand am with 130,000 miles on it. Have had it for about 6 months. When I was stopped at a light it would idle kinda rough but then when I drove on it would mellow out. Just recent as yesterday it has gotten worse. It is difficult to start, it starts but then there is a tapping inside the piston head up front like someone trying to get out. It doesn't have much power going down the road. In fact I just drove home and had to ride the brake and gas at the same time when I was stopped. Also, however when it was on the highway I got it up to around 60 mph. I had to drive 30 miles one way to get home. Only deal is I go 30 miles one way everyday. I start early in the morning around 3-4. Whan do you think the problem is? Can I continue to drive this car until I find another one in a couple weeks? Please help. I have to solve this one fast. thanks

[xeroinfinity]

could be your trans causing the poor idle when coming to a stop.

See this link....
http://autorepair.about.com/cs/doity.../aa011703b.htm

[tleeburks]

I wrote earlier about the real bad idling I had with my 90 grand am. I don't think it was the tranny. However, I took off the valve cover today and it looks like the 4th rocker arm from the passenger side going inbound is moving freely to each side. In other words it turns left and right and I can pull the rod or pin (new to this), about 5 inches long out of the hole. The bolt holding on the rocker arm is not loose. The other rocker arms are tight and will not move either way. So................., What do I have here? and most importantly how can I fix it. I need this car for work about 30 miles one way. Is it fixable? Is this a job for a more qualified individual? I appreciate your response. I have to solve this problem this weekend. The car still runs, it stalls in local traffic but on the highway it is fine. just need to know what to do. Thanks in advance for your help.

Terry

[xeroinfinity]

Might want to have someone take a look, those arent supposed to come loose

Could have some other internal problem that caused the rocker to become loose enough to fall off. Not good!

Of coarse you could loosen the bolt, put the push rods back in if they are not bent, then retorq the rocker bolt and see what happens.
I am not certain, but I think the rocker bolts torq @ 85-89 INCH LBS.

This would definatly cause Poor Idle !

[tleeburks]

it seems the valve might be stuck, can't get the spring to come back up. what am i looking at as far as work.

[xeroinfinity]

sounds like you'll need a head rebuilt!

Good Luck

[Jrs3800]

Yes head work is a definite... Thats a Bent Valve..

Is this a Quad 4? If this is a Tech 4 , that will be the first time I have ever seen one do that...

[xeroinfinity]

Originally Posted by Jrs3800

Yes head work is a definite... Thats a Bent Valve..

Is this a Quad 4? If this is a Tech 4 , that will be the first time I have ever seen one do that...

If its a 90 GA, then its most likly one of those Quad 4r's

better stick with bonnie jr.