I got a smoker here...

[TireFryer]

to anyone who wants to help a new GN fanatic get on his feet...

NEw to the GN world, and just got delivery of my hotair GN. It idles ok I guess, but runs very sluggish. Also, it is smoking when I drive the car. The turbo was replaced with a stock used turbo (known to be good and doesn't leak oil through Brian W.), so I don't know what is causing the smoke. Little whisps/trails of smoke can also be seen escaping from the up and down pipe. It has been converted to the 87 ECM. I don't have access to a scanning device to help me figure out what the potential cause of these might be, so if anyone is in the Lansing area in Michigan who can help me out, PLEASE let me know. I would be very greatful and would also appreciate if anyone could steer me to a mechanic who knows how to work on these cars. Thanx in advance and looking forward to meeting some of the MI GN fanatics like myself!

 

[blackbuick87]

I recommend a compression test

 

[John Larkin]

Here's a very basic, old school technique. Take a coathanger, straighten it out and hook a 1/4 sheet of Kleenex to the end. Move it all around your headers, DP, uppipe connections and see if it blows around (don't catch it on fire ). This will help you find crack/leaks without burning your hands. I've also heard you can ingest top engine cleaner into the engine through a vacuum hose and it will smoke like hades through any cracks/leaks.

 

[Kevin Turch]

I gotta try that kleenex thing!!!!

 

[TireFryer]

I think there is a crack in the exhaust manifold on the driver side closest to the firewall. It appears to be where the exhaust tube coming from the exhaust port closest to the firewall joins with the bigger tube going towards the X-over pipe. Would this cause a "leak" in the system and lead to sluggishness? Also, today, I verified little smoke coming from where the downpipe connects with the turbo...is that just a bad seal? Should I try to tighten the bolts on the DP some more, and if so, what are the torque specs? Thanx for the info and appreciate all your help and expertise! I will be back with more as it happens...
Oh, almost forgot, pulled out the 3 plugs from the driver side and there appeared to be some "oil" present on the threads...is that normal? also, the tips of the plugs were coated in soot/carbon and these were new plugs, installed with less than 5 miles on them...what does that mean?!
BTW, is there any vender who sells headers, X-over pipe, up and down pipe for HOTAIR cars?

 

[WH1]

I know Poston's sells headers and crossover. ATR sells Dp and Up but I don't know about headers. Mike Mccoy (vender on this board has a set of Lee Thompson custom headers, Dp, Up and x-over pipe for sell; these are built by the guy with the fastest HotAir car (10.77 et). Hope this helps.