Another 88 TC with the idle problems.

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Another 88 TC with the idle problems.

August 04, 2016, 01:10:56 AM

I have read my butt off on this subject, but mine doesn't do quite what the rest do. It just will not idle at all. The car will fire up, rev up to about 2000rpm, then die out. If I hold the gas just a little, it will stay running at about 1500-2000rpm.

I did make a throttle adjustment increase today and managed to keep it idling for about a minute. Then, it revs up to about 3000rpm and stayed. As I slowly backed off the adjustment, it managed to sit at about 900rpm for about 2 minutes, then died out again.

The TPS shows .93V. Not sure about the IAC yet, haven't got that far. EGR moves freely, Code scanner shows 88 and 85 KOEO, but that shouldn't be a problem. Then I get the 11 pass code.

New fuel tank, pump, and filter. New plugs, wires and distributor. Fuel pressure test shows 40psi KOEO, but drops to about 30-32 when running. Got around 135 on compression tests.

Haven't found a vacuum leak yet, but I'm still looking.

I know this has been gone over 1000 times, I've read every thread on the net, but I must be missing something.

Any ideas? I think I've tried everything recommended, even the idle relearn, but it won't idle, so that seems useless right now.

I've my head in my hands for 3 days now on this. What am I not doing?

Thanks in advance, guys.

Another 88 TC with the idle problems.

Reply #1 – August 04, 2016, 10:31:37 AM

Is the MAF hose good? I had idle problems and my MAF hose was slightly bunched up on the bottom causing an air leak. This was on my 85 turbo, I assume 88 would be similar in function...

Another 88 TC with the idle problems.

Reply #2 – August 04, 2016, 01:08:10 PM

That is one I have not thought of. Will check as soon as it stops raining.

I did make a little progress today. The hoses on the boost controller were rotten. They were pretty much the only ones that had not been changed, when I got the car. They have been replaced.

It will idle now for several minutes, but then revs up to about 2500rpm, comes back down to around 1000, then cuts off. It'll do it everytime you crank it. About the 5th time it did it this morning, a little puff of smoke came out of the EGR. Then it started raining.

I have also noticed that the engine is getting pretty warm. There is circulation in the radiator, and when I loosened the hose to the engine, fluid is coming out. I'm guessing stuck thermostat on that one.

I'm also noticing a skip at lower idle speeds, while it will idle, and it idles very rough below 1100rpm.

The EGR I ordered the day I got the car came in today. About to pick it up and change it just for good measure.

Another 88 TC with the idle problems.

Reply #3 – August 05, 2016, 06:38:32 AM

I would give it a good tune up with stock motorcraft parts, wires,plugs cap and rotor. Check for any vacuum leaks and clean/check your Vam and also check the hose coming from vam to turbo inlet and make sure there are no holes and make sure it is connected good

Another 88 TC with the idle problems.

Reply #4 – August 05, 2016, 08:49:26 AM

Well, how hard is it to change this one over to a carbureted 302? The turbo is shot, water pump is dead, head is cracked between 3&4, it has been ran extremely hot, and there are many electronic issues. It's just more cost efficient to swap it out, seeing as I can't find parts for it.

I know this is sacrilege, so don't cuss me. It's what I have. I have a half built, '71 performance 318 in my garage, on the stand. It'll have about 400hp, once I figure out this Magnum head Trick. Even have the 904 to match it, and it will bolt to that 8.8 with just a minor mod. I'm just saying...

I just want this car on the road, no matter what. The chassis, interior, and body are immaculate on this one. Just a little bit of chipped clear coat. I love these cars, ans have since I was a kid. I'm in whatever it takes mode now.

Another 88 TC with the idle problems.

Reply #5 – August 05, 2016, 09:31:32 AM

I have seen plenty of sacrilegious 350 swaps, but I must say, I've never seen a mopar swap. I used to get all riled up about stuff like that, but I've mellowed in my old age. It's your car, do whatever you want.

A 302 swap isn't too difficult. You might be further ahead financially to just get a turbo and a head though.

Another 88 TC with the idle problems.

Reply #6 – August 05, 2016, 09:42:38 AM

Keep in mind, I'm a Ford guy, and always have been. But, I also love the late 60's and early 70's Mopar stuff. The 318 was for a 69 Valiant, but I found that the frame was out of whack. That said, if someone were to put a 350 in it, I'd burn it to the ground...

I would love to fix this IHI, but where do I find the parts? I've been searching for days, and can't find much of anything. If you can point me in the right direction, I'll try to fix it, but most all I've seen are way overpriced performance parts.