something is killing my battery!!!

[tg1hq]

OK, so the other day I tried to do something nice for my Formula. It's been running ok, but feeling a little sluggish some times.
(History: I've been advised that I had a leak in the intake manifold, and I have been waiting to get this fixed for a few months now. Also, the car's been idling high when I put it in park, but the idle drops to normal if I stomp the brakes while in park.)
So, I disconnected the vacuum line running from the power booster to the intake, and I let the vacuum line slowly sip about half a can of Sea Foam. A huge cloud of white smoke began pouring from the tail pipes, and a little from the engine compartment near the firewall. I guess this was from the leak in the intake manifold.
Anyway, I reconnected the vacuum hose, let the car sit for a few minutes, then started it up and took a test drive. The car ran better than before.

THE NEXT DAY...I was driving normally, when the car started to sputter as if I was out of gas. It backfired several times and wouldn't go over 15mph. I also noticed the battery power going down fast. I made it to a parking lot, and the battery was dead! Why would my battery start draining while I was driving?
After a jump, I drove off, and after 2 miles the same thing started happening, my battery was dead again.
Autozone tested the battery and it showed 11.5 and the cells were still good. When I reinstalled it, the car started and hasn't died again YET! But, instead of the battery gauge up at 13 (middle point) it's right above the yellow warning zone. WTF???

The battery is a Duralast Gold, only 3 months old. The alternator is also only about 4 months old, and the starter is maybe 6 months old. Could it be that a problem with the electronic fuel system could have an effect on the battery like that??? Is there a vacuum problem now that I disonnected that hose? I made sure to replace it nice and tight!

[skibum1111]

Check your belt. If its not tight enough the alternator can't push enough to maintain the output needed to keep up with the electrical systems on the car. If the belt is ok, have your alternator checked, it might have given up on you a little early.

[goldz28]

Sounds like an alternator problem to me. Do you have a high demand sound system? If you do or plan on getting one I would get a higher amp alt. at least 100amp.
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good luck

[tg1hq]

I'll start with the belt and have the alternator tested at Autozone. It wouldn't be the first time an Autozone alternator has crapped out on me early.
Also, today I started the car and just let her warm up sitting there for about 10 minutes. Sure enough not using the radio, heater, nor lights the battery gauge dropped from about 11 slowly down to around nine. If this sets off any alarms in anyone's head please let me know. Tomorow I'll check the belt and alternator, though.
Thanks for your help so far. Happy Holidays, guys!

[ec437]

While I don't know anything about Camaros, I do have some general automotive knowledge.

If I had to guess, this sounds like some sort of loose connection somewhere. Check your battery and alternator terminals first, then pay special attention to all your grounding wires. In the BMWs I have worked with those are a common cause of confusing problems and are easy to fix if you know what you are looking for. It could also be a problem with your voltage regulator, which is sometimes (usually?) attached to your alternator. Make sure you have a multimeter handy for testing.

[stone_mound_camaro]

also try your belt tensioner...make sure thats not bobbing up and down while the engine is on....if it is, its not putting enough pressure on the belt and alternator....also..check all of your battery connections...check the connections from the little screw on the back of the alternator as well

[tg1hq]

Problem solved! It did turn out to be a crapped out Autozone alternator. The damn thing didn't even have time to get dirty under the hood before it kicked the bucket on me.
So, I got a new one in there and the car is doing great! Thanks for all the replies, guys.