86 caprice issues

[moparvwfreak]

I have an 86 caprice classic wagon running a 307 Olds. i have a few issues that i need to figure out. my AIR pump is being weird. its blowing exhaust gasses INTO the aircleaner instead of air into the exhaust. that in turn is causing a lean condition resulting in pinging. also the PS belt is squealing like a stuck pig. i know the belt is loose but its how to get it off and adjusted.

so here are my questions.

#1 why would the AIR pump pump backwards??

#2 how do you adjust the PS pump. i dont see teh slider for adjsutment at all.

thanks guys i hope to help ya guys as much as i can.

[silicon212]

I am not too familiar with Olds engined Caprices, so I will tell you what I DO know -

The AIR pump is working normally. It won't lean out your carb.

As for the power steering pump, is that the only thing on a belt, or is there another accessory sharing a belt with it? If so, look to see if that other accessory can be moved for adjustment.

[PeteA216]

The slider may be behind the power steering pump. I've seen that before in other cars. Also like Silicon said, there may be another accessory sharing the power steering pump belt that could be adjusted.

[moparvwfreak]

Originally Posted by silicon212

I am not too familiar with Olds engined Caprices, so I will tell you what I DO know -

The AIR pump is working normally. It won't lean out your carb.

As for the power steering pump, is that the only thing on a belt, or is there another accessory sharing a belt with it? If so, look to see if that other accessory can be moved for adjustment.

ok. then heres a question. why is it, if the air pump is working properly, that when i cut the belt my ping TOTALLY went away? from what i have read it is supposed to pump into the exhaust to help with emission control.

and the ps is the only thing on the belt. aside from the water pump.

[silicon212]

Originally Posted by moparvwfreak

ok. then heres a question. why is it, if the air pump is working properly, that when i cut the belt my ping TOTALLY went away? from what i have read it is supposed to pump into the exhaust to help with emission control.

and the ps is the only thing on the belt. aside from the water pump.

Trying to remember the way my '76 Delta 88 was routed ... I believe you have to loosen a bolt underneath the pulley to make the adjustment - then it's been a full 20 years since I had that car. That seems to be what I remember, though. The pulley drive is the same on the 307 as it was on that old car. There is a hole in the pulley for this purpose.

The AIR pump output is controlled by the computer. It will either be routed to the manifold tubes, the catalytic converter, or to the air cleaner depending on different params. If you're pinging when it's being driven, then I would look into a possibly plugged or defective EGR valve.

Remember, it's by design. The hose that connects to the air cleaner was not to draw in air to the pump, it's an exhaust route for the pump. The air the pump moves is drawn in through the vents behind the pulley.

[moparvwfreak]

ok. i got the PS delt with. i hate hidden bolts. now it runs like a champ! i also wired the valve on the drivers manifold open as it was staying closed due to, once again, a bad thermo switch.

ok your right. the air pump is computer controlled. and i found out why it was not working right. one of the electronic vacuum switchs i think is bad. so its not sending the vac signal to the DV for proper operation.

but my last question still hasn't been answered.
why would the ping go away when the air pump was disconnected? if it was an EGR issue wouldn't the ping still be there wether or not the air pump was connected?

[moparvwfreak]

well i found out a big peice of the AIR system not working right. someone (most likely the P.O.) pulled a vac switch off a valve behind the AIR pump. not the one on the pump but just behind it near the manifold. that switch was rigged to run straigh vac to the valve and not be switched at all by the computer. this also created a vac leak. i have since repaired that, replaced the belt, cleaned out the valves and put it all back together. shes runnin like a top again and with 212,000+ miles on the stock motor thats great!

now to get the cruise control working, the AC rebuilt, and the intermittent wipers working right. oh and install my clock. i dont like having to turn on my radio to find out what time it is. no i dont have a stock radio but i am trying to find a woodgrain tape deck that works.

so heres a few more ? i thought i would ask. on these cars, CC wise, which goes out more often, the switch or hte servo that is linked tot he carb? i have a new switch that i got with the car and a new wiper switch so i figured if the one is bad i might as well replace em both since i am in there anyway.

also since i have the wagon would i have the HD suspention stuff or jsut stock standard suspention? i am working on getting this thing to not only look good but drive better.

thanks again guys!

oh and a few pics for ya to look at

[moparvwfreak]

well i went ahead and replaced the EGR valve since it was still pinging a touch and now its got even more power. not enough to roast the hides but enough to get that 2+ ton beast a-movin. thanx for the help guys.