Before I go messing something up....

Whammydill · Aug 18, 2005

Ok, I have a 1992 Plymouth Laser RS Turbo, 5spd. 92k miles. I just got it off my friend who quit driving it last year because it had a bad tire, an exhaust leak, and it wasn't getting any boost. I also noticed it idles at about 1.2-1.5k rpm

So today I figured out why it wasn't getting any boost. The wastegate actuator arm had come off. So I fixed that and it was showing up to a little over 7psi on the stock gauge (haven't got new one yet) this was about 5k rpm in neutral. Easy fix requiring only the price of a cotter pin really.

So I go out and get a new air filter and some coolant. I battle with the "can" and eventually get the old filter out. While I'm at it I hacked off the "horn" to let the new filter breath better. I put the new filter in (Fram.) Hooked all the things back up.

I then open up the resevoir for the coolant and dump some in. I put WAY too much in. before I know it I'm almost overflowing the resevoir. I take a siphon (brand new) and pull some of it out.

I start the car up and unless I keep the rpms about 1.5-2k or better it will try and stall out on me. All the while it sounds like it is sputtering, sounding worse because of the exhaust leak (which has to be near the engine) So I kept the rpm's up for about a minute or so then let off (all in neutral in the driveway) and it drops way down, but recovers up to about 750-800 and sits without anything on the pedal. This is about where the rpm's should be yes? Now before I go messing with the BISS should I just leave it as is? Did putting too much coolant cause or can cause problems such as this or other? I've got to get the exhaust leak fixed before I can do a proper boost leak test right?

I'm not sure if I'm giving the right or enough information. Let me know what you need to know and Ill try to find it out. Meanwhile I'll continue searching the forum for similar problems. Thanks in advance

awdlaser26 · Aug 19, 2005

Sounds like you have a little more to worry about than too much coolant. How long did this car sit and do you know what was done maintenance wise before he stopped driving it. If you cant find out this information you should prob start with new plugs and wires. Also these cars should have the timing belt and balance shaft belt replaced about 60-70k. There is alot of useful info on DSMtuners with a little research you can get your car up to snuff and then see if there is some trouble shooting you need to do. Also when you are "hacking" you have to be careful not to go to far without knowing what you are doing. When you are troubleshooting try to fix one thing at a time so you know what you did to fix it and you can share this useful info with others. Good luck. We have the same car and if I can help I would be more than happy.

Whammydill · Aug 19, 2005

The car sat for quite a while I gather. Probably close to a year. Heck the oil change sticker says 2003. Odds are he changed the oil and stuff himself, he always does it himself on his cars, just probably didnt take the sticker off. Anyhow, you are right. My plans before anything are a tuneup, wires, plugs, oil change, fluids, belts check...etc. I'm just trying to plan ahead a little. I did the aircan horn thing because I was there anyway I would have taken the silencer out of the MAF but, I didn't want to press my luck, as I'm not 'that' experienced working on cars. I got stuffs for the oilchange today and will be doing that myself when I get some time. The other stuff will come when I get both time, and am sure i have the money to spare.

The exhaust leak makes it hard to hear if anythign else is out of wack. The car puts out exhaust under the engine bay, so I'm assuming the the leak/hole is near the engine, maybe on the manifold or downpipe or something. When I run up the rpms I notice a "sucking sputter" type noise, don't know if that makes sense, from the exhaust. Will an exhaust leak in certain places cause my car to sputter like that? Or cause it to idle dangerously low, sometimes to the point of stalling? Also, if the exhaust leak is in the exhaust could it not be sending enough to the turbo to spool it up properly?

RyanTSi · Aug 20, 2005

Whammydill said:
The car puts out exhaust under the engine bay, so I'm assuming the the leak/hole is near the engine, maybe on the manifold or downpipe or something.

I Have a 93 Talon TSi, and recently replaced my exhaust system. As far as your leak is concerned, take a good look at your flex pipe, I was alarmed to see it when mine came off. Mine had a hole in the side of it that looked like it had, well... blown up. I also had multiple leaks, a clogged cat, and my exhaust manifold gaskets leaked because of back pressure. If you haven't gotten a look at it, its a good thing to check, my symptoms were a steady idle, but every 5 secs or so it would drop to about 500 rpm and chug for a second then stabilize again, and you could smell exhaust while looking under the hood. Hope that helps a little. best of luck and happy hunting

Whammydill · Aug 20, 2005

Yeah, my car does that chug thing too, it idles really rough and act like its wants to stall out. So after you replaced it did the problem go away? If my problem is similar/identical would it be wiser for me to just get the turbo-back exhaust I'm wanting in the future and just killing all the birds with one stone? Or am I missing something else?

RyanTSi · Aug 20, 2005

Whammydill said:
If my problem is similar/identical would it be wiser for me to just get the turbo-back exhaust I'm wanting in the future and just killing all the birds with one stone? Or am I missing something else?

Well, one thing you have to understand is we can have the same symptoms, but different problems. If it isn't practical to go ahead and get the full turbo-back don't throw the money at it and see if it works. And yes, it did fix my problem. Nonetheless, checking it is very simple, just look under the vehicle with a good flashlight, one side at a time, and get a good inspection on that flex portion. Since it is braided material, any damage will be pretty obvious. When I saw mine removed, I felt like a total dunce because I didn't notice it. Fortunately, like I said, the guy that did the work was good peoples and hooked me up for free (just extra labor) and the job looks really good. As far as my factory exhaust goes, I now only have about a 1 foot section of stock pipe, and the mani of course, and all I bought was the cat back and the cat. Just go and take a painless five minutes with your baby, and have a look see underneath. Ill post some pictures of what I had done if I get the time later. Let me know If you see that type of problem. :thumb:

Defiant · Aug 21, 2005

Whammydill said:
The car sat for quite a while I gather. Probably close to a year.

With the same gasoline in it?

RyanTSi · Aug 21, 2005

Here it is. Thats just welded right before where the flex portion would be. Dont talk smack, I know my downpipe is old and nasty. One thing at a time. It very temporary and easy to undo, says mister exhaust shop man anyway. He'll be putting the down pipe on there for me anyway

Whammydill · Aug 21, 2005

Thanks Ryan, you've been a big help! I should be able to get under there today, I'll post my findings.

As far as the gasoline goes, I'm assuming that it was the same gas. There was hardly any in it anyway, the fuel light was on. So I went and got a couple of gallons of 92 octane, so the gas I'm using in it now is pseudo-new

RyanTSi · Aug 21, 2005

Cool man, Im glad I was able to help. Let me know how it all turns out for you, and definately post what you find. Good luck man. :thumb:

Whammydill · Aug 23, 2005

ok, I got under the car and did some spelunking. Looks like the mesh is a problem. (Figure B) And this clamp thing (figure A.) Is loose and rotates almost freely :confused:

if for some reason my pic uploading didn't work its in my gallery

RyanTSi · Aug 23, 2005

Yeah, thats part of the problem, specially if that is where your leak is. So what you gonna do?

Whammydill · Aug 23, 2005

Guess my best bet will be to have someone do a temporary fix if possible, then just replace it all when I get my turbo-back. This weekend I'm having all the tune-up stuff done which should get me up to mechanical par, minus the leak. Plugs, belt-check, oil, and a general once over with the mechanic. Luckily my brother works at Mid-Ohio racetrack and knows some guys who do custom exhaust work so they will probably hook me up to a degree....hopefully. They are also the prime referal for the mechanic, who happens to be a personal friend of my father. Guess I'll start tapping into their stash-o-contacts! :cool:

Do you think this should be something easily patched or will I need to replace the section?

RyanTSi · Aug 24, 2005

The only difficulty I would see as far as patching goes, is just that its on mesh and not piping you know? You could probly get somebody to do a hack and splice for you but you also gotta consider the rest of the system. i.e., is the cat clogged? do the connecting gaskets leak? Are there any other leaks Im not seeing? That kind of stuff.

But look on the bright side, you get an exscuse to upgrade the exhaust to bigger and better. A downpipe (as far as Ive seen) will run from $180-$230, thats why mine is hacked and spliced, but the cat back shouldnt be too bad on price. :cool:

Whammydill · Aug 25, 2005

Ok, I took the car to the mechanic today to drop it off. He is going to look at it/tune it up/work on it tomorrow. I'd say its about 5 miles to there, this is the farthest I've driven this car since I've gotten it.

I kept it light driving and didn't go above 3rd gear. Some weird things happened on the way and I'm wondering what they could be.

A.) whenever I let off the gas when I come to a light or have to stop. The rpm's will drop way too low and the car will stall out. Or I could be aproaching a stopsign or light and I will let off hte gas and depress the clutch preparing to shift and the Rpms will drop and it will stall out.

2.) Unless I shift really slow into second gear it grinds horribly, synchro maybe?

d.) The last time I shifted to 3rd gear before I arrived at the shop I got no throttle response or at least barely any when I pressed down the pedal. Seemed fine in 1st or 2nd though.

RyanTSi · Aug 26, 2005

Well buddy,

As far as stalling out goes it could be a few things. Number one possibility? Exhaust Gas Recirc issues, or vacuum leaks. But you could very well have a problem with the ignition systems (plugs, wires, distributor, etc.), or injection (dirty a$$ injectors, super old fuel pump). You get the idea. Wait till you get the tuneup stuff done this wknd, and see how it goes. When was the last time the fuel pump was changed? Also, did you say that the exhaust is going on this wknd or no? Because if all this is going on real soon, I can almost guarantee your ride will feel at least.... 50% better

Seriously though, once you get all that stuff replaced, especially plugs, wires, and fuel pump, it will be alot easier to diagnose the other issues.

2.) Unless I shift really slow into second gear it grinds horribly, synchro maybe?

Unfortunately, I'm none too good on trannys and clutches so I'm little to no help on that one. Really wish I could let you know something on this one, but if mine isn't broken, I leave it alone, and if it isn't in a manual somewhere... I'm not doing it, AAMCO can have it. LOL

!

Any how, let me know whats up.
-Ryan :talon:

Whammydill · Aug 26, 2005

OK, good news. Got my toy back from the shop. The exhaust leak was fixed, he put a new 8" section of pipe on. The car is MUCH Better. No more bogging out, no more RPM peak and trough. The tranny still grinds pretty much no matter what I do into 2nd, so I'm thinking synchro.

While he was there I had him check all the goodies, the belts and everything. He did some throttle body cleaner, changed the oil(I provided the filter and oil) fixed the exhaust leak with the new section of pipe. All said and done for 120 bucks. Not bad at all.

To top everything all off, I was out at Mid-Ohio race course today where my brother works. They are having a big event this weekend. Today they had all their practices and after they got done they were running the Racing school cars. My brother, god how I love him. He got me a ride along with Tom, the racing schools head instructor. OMFG! That was awesome. They use RSX-S as their cars, they are stock except for the racing suspension, tires and brakes. OMFG! He did things with that car.....oh man. 140-150mph easy in the back straightaway, attacking the lines like they were an invading army. Getting that thing sideways like it was a RWD. That was the time of my life!!! That man can DRIVE!! I still can't wipe the smile off my face!!!! :thumb:

LIFE IS GOOD!!!

RyanTSi · Aug 27, 2005

You got all that fixed for just $120? That aint bad at all. Told yah that'd help it out. Im glad you got all that fixed :thumb:

Did you ask ol' boy about your tranny? I wish I could offer some kind of assistance but like I said, I dont know enough about em.

They use RSX-S as their cars, they are stock except for the racing suspension, tires and brakes. OMFG! He did things with that car.....oh man. 140-150mph easy in the back straightaway, attacking the lines like they were an invading army. Getting that thing sideways like it was a RWD. That was the time of my life!!! That man can DRIVE!! I still can't wipe the smile off my face!!!! LIFE IS GOOD!!!

Good god man! Talk about making me jealous. You sound like you got some hookups out there. RX's are friggin bad man. Just to let you know Im green with envy.

Well, Enjoy it buddy, Glad I was able to help you out. Feel free to hit me on here whenever you like. Im outta here :cool:

-Ryan

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