Many Problems, I really need my 95 Z28 running, Please Read

[Topher9393]

Hey, I have a '95 Camaro Z28 Automatic. I had a heater hose go bad a while back and could not replace it but still needed to drive it as it was my daily driver. I do not know when the last tune up was and have had it for two years and added about 25,000 miles to the 104,000 that was on it when i had first bought it.
I was reading the troubleshooting pages in a Haynes Manual and it still isnt helping i dont think. This is exactly what is happening with my car: When i turn the key to on, the fuel pump and eveything makes the right sounds and is normal, but when i try to start it, the starter turns over but the car will not start. The Starter is new and has worked for a while now. But right before the car died it didnt have much acceleration, i started hearing a ticking noise when i stepped on the gas, exhaust was loud and backfires i think, sometimes took a while to get the engine to start, and was running well over 300 degrees in less than five minutes.
The Haynes Manual said i might have low compression, but i dont have a thing to check that yet, but here is what i planned on doing as of now and have all the parts: Replace all my hoses with goodyear high miler hoses, change spark plugs and wires, new water pump, headers and cat. converter, and distributer. DO oyu think that might help, or would i have a cracked head, or low cylinder compression? or what? I am not great with cars but i do know the basics.
Another thing, i cant get the bolts of my exhaust to even start working on it. I put rust eater on, Wd-40, and used a ratchet with a piece of tubing on it to give me leverage, but still nothing. I dont have the money to pay a shop to fix it because that will cost too much in labor.
Can anyone help please? I will be happy to answer any questions and will post more progress as i go, but i really need this car running to get to and from my jobs. Thanks for any help you guys can give me, you've helped in the past, Thanks again.

[FormulaLT1]

You have checked for a spark and checked your fuel pressure I take it?

[kahjdh]

what do you mean heater hose go bad? was it leaking? Did you lose coolant? Also have you replaced the optispark?

[CamarosRsweet94]

Sounds like it's damaged from being run wheen it's too hot. You could have messed up that engine pretty bad. Otherwise check the ignition system those optisparks are prone to going bad.

[Topher9393]

I havent checked the spark plugs or ignition yet because its hard to get to, and i honestly dont know how. That is just what the Haynes Manual said could be wrong. But i really hope that i did not ruin the engine Because if so i am just going to buy a new car. But what exactly is the optispark? And what does it do? I know very little about engine work, i'm more into body customizing and interior work.
I have my car posted on cardomain at: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2280288 but i know that wont help any. But if you can tell me how to check for spark or see what is wrong i would appreciate it.
Oh and the heater hose question, well when my car ran hot steam would come out of the hose, so i duct taped the hole for temporary purposes but still comes out and yes, i have lost alot of coolant, was going through a big bottle every week for a month. But when i squeeze the hose it doesnt feel hard, and i think that certain hose is supposed to be pressurized. Thanks again for helping

[CamarosRsweet94]

The optispark is simply the ignition module. It provides the power for the spark plugs. The LT1 powered cars came with it and it was not a good design, if they got a little water in them they would usually stop working for good. I am not sure how to check for spark, but I personally think that this is a problem with the engine from being run too hot. I would recommend taking it to a shop or having a knowlegable mechanic look at it, but you said you don't have the money so I don't know what to tell ya.

[FormulaLT1]

The easiest way to check a spark is to use one of these http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=4424 but you can also use a screw driver and hold it close enough to see if a spark arcs. You should check both at the coil and then again at the plugs. You should also use a fuel pressure guage (around 40 bucks at Autozone) and see if you have any pressure. Usually a crank but no start condition is the cause of no fuel or no spark but could be a serious vacuum issue as well from something like a heavily blow head gasket (I think you would have been aware of that from the oil and coolant pouring out though.)

[wrightz28]

Ummm, you boiled the thing over up to 300* F?

Don't be too overly surprised when tranny issues develope, especiaaly on a automatic. An engine that gets that hot murders the trans.

[Topher9393]

Ok, well i just hope once i change these parts that everything will be alright. And i hope my transmission doesnt go bad or else i am just going to buy a '98 SupraTT. Well i have been looking at new cars but there are no good cars years 2000+ SO i dont know what to do. I love my Camaro but its beginning to be a B**** to stay running. And it feels like forever before the 2009 Camaro comes out, so anyone have any ideas on a 2000+ car that i could buy if i cant get my camaro running right?
Oh and i also heard if you change your transmission fluid after it hasnt been changed in so long it can cause your transmission to go out. Is that true? Because mine def. needs changed. Thanks again everyone.

[FormulaLT1]

They made the camaro until 02 and just as a good pointer for any car you ever own no matter what it is. The worst possible things you can do to a car and that will dramatically lessen its life span is allow it to spend any amount of time in the 260 + degree area. Thats like setting the engine on fire and taking it for a ride and not getting why it died all of a sudden and allowing any of the lubrication/oil based fluids to lose viscosity and age beyond there recommended time or miles. Thats similiar to just filling up the crankcase will water and hoping for the best. If your not planning on performing regular maintance or take care issue's when they appear. I think you will find yourself in need of a new car every few months, a year if your lucky.

[Earlsfat]

Originally Posted by FormulaLT1

They made the camaro until 02 and just as a good pointer for any car you ever own no matter what it is. The worst possible things you can do to a car and that will dramatically lessen its life span is allow it to spend any amount of time in the 260 + degree area. Thats like setting the engine on fire and taking it for a ride and not getting why it died all of a sudden and allowing any of the lubrication/oil based fluids to lose viscosity and age beyond there recommended time or miles. Thats similiar to just filling up the crankcase will water and hoping for the best. If your not planning on performing regular maintance or take care issue's when they appear. I think you will find yourself in need of a new car every few months, a year if your lucky.

That was a little salty.

[FormulaLT1]

I didn't mean for it to come off nasty just trying to make him, if not the readers aware that if your not going to take care of your car. Don't be surprised when it doesn't take care of you .

[ikeyballz]

hehe i agree with the formula. keeping ''little'' things off for a long time will result in giant problems

[ikeyballz]

btw, good luck with the car..i dont know whats wrong with it cuz it sounds like a combination of probs, but yeah..the LT1's are pretty hardy..except for the optispark deal.. i mean even if you have half an engine dead.. you still got 4 cylinders :P thats as much as a civic or something.. haha, if you want it running good thats a diff story..

[Earlsfat]

Originally Posted by FormulaLT1

I didn't mean for it to come off nasty just trying to make him, if not the readers aware that if your not going to take care of your car. Don't be surprised when it doesn't take care of you .

In memeory of Diego... gotta keep yo bitch in line.