Golf Tee?

mickey356 · 07-14-2009, 07:41 AM

Can anyone tell me why there is a golf tee stuck in this line? I know it's not a great pic but I figured someone might have some insight. Thanks, Mick

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickey356

Can anyone tell me why there is a golf tee stuck in this line? I know it's not a great pic but I figured someone might have some insight. Thanks, Mick

Golf Ts are commonly used to plug vacuum lines. . There used to be a vacuum hose hooked up to that port.

Mattcamp · 07-14-2009, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Verburg

Golf Ts are commonly used to plug vacuum lines. . There used to be a vacuum hose hooked up to that port.

That is the vacume hose isn't it? It sure looks like it's in the right area for the Ambient Air Valve. Do you still have that valve and is it hooked up? If you don't know......it should be right in front of the oil filler neck. There is a small line that looks about the size of the golf-tee plugged one. It plugs right into the top of that valve. FYI there are also 2 larger lines that plug into the sides of the valve.

mca · 07-14-2009, 11:04 AM

Looks like vacuum line to decel valve has been pulled and plugged.

Can't see if you have a decel valve in those pics ... and since I don't know what year your car is ... I am just guessing.

mickey356 · 07-14-2009, 01:28 PM

Sorry, I guess I should have mentioned it's an 83 SC.

Is this "tank" looking thing behind the oil filler cap what you're referring to? There are two hoses that go into the back of it and there is a nipple that has nothing connected to it on the side closest to the oil filler neck.

mca · 07-14-2009, 01:34 PM

Actually, that is your decel valve in your original pics.

Look at this one. See the black vacuum line (white arrow pointing to it)? Is that the one that is plugged?

mickey356 · 07-14-2009, 01:44 PM

I just looked at the decel valve and it doesn't have anything connected to the brass nipple. It looks like that hose (the one plugged with a golf tee) goes right to it. Why would it be plugged? Does it benefit the engine in some way? I always figure there is a reason something was designed a certain way and it ususally best to leave it as is. But there are exceptions. Looking for some help on whether to leave as is or return it to the way is was intended. Thanks, Mickey

mca · 03:56 PM

A lot of people plug it b/c they don't like the way it makes the engine behave. Basically prevents the engine from spinning down fast when you lift off of the throttle. Also there may be some emissions component to it as well.

Sometimes when the decel valve begins to fail it will keep your idle from dropping back to 1k rpms. It will make the idle hang around 2k rpms. Instead of replacing it ($100 or more) people will plug it and run without it.

I would plug it in and see if you like the affect it has on your engine. It is OK to keep it the way it is as far as I know. I ran mine without it for years but I hooked it back up after the rebuild.

dshepp806 · dshepp806's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by mca

A lot of people plug it b/c they don't like the way it makes the engine behave. Basically prevents the engine from spinning down fast when you lift off of the throttle. Also there may be some emissions component to it as well.

Sometimes when the decel valve begins to fail it will keep your idle from dropping back to 1k rpms. It will make the idle hang around 2k rpms. Instead of replacing it ($100 or more) people will plug it and run without it.

I would plug it in and see if you like the affect it has on your. It is OK to keep it the way it is as far as I know. I ran mine without it for years but I hooked it back up after the rebuild.

Agree,..hook it back up and give her a try.

Doyle

mickey356 · 07-14-2009, 03:52 PM

When I took my car in for inspection at first it didn't pass emissions so I had the mixture adjusted so it would. I haven't changed it back to where it was because the car runs fine as is. It starts everytime. The only thing that is a "concern" is it seems to hesistate a tiny bit at
"cruising speed" (around 2600-2800 rpm) but not under acceleration. It's less noticable after the car has warmed up but it's still there just a tiny bit. I figured it may be the 02 sensor and/or relay so I bought one of each just in case, but I haven't installed them.
I learned from my other car not to change too much at once so I'm a little unsure of where to start: 02 sensor? Mixture? Decel Valve Vacuum hook up? They all seem to be connected in some way and each one may affect the other. I would like to get rid of the stutter/hesitation at cruising speed though. Any suggestions?

mca · 07-14-2009, 04:00 PM

They may have leaned out your mixture in order to pass inspection.

The hesitation could be caused by a lean condition.

Also, I always experienced minor surging when running my 02 sensor. I think this is a common complaint. Therefore I disconnected my 02 sensor and set the mixture to 3.5% CO. I still get fantastic gas mileage and my car runs much better.

Regardless, you should probably reset the mixture in the event that they leaned it out too much. Can be very dangerous if it is too lean = detonation.

mickey356 · 05:00 PM

mca,
I know I'm being a bit "newbie" here, but you mean to disconnect the 02 sensor and set it to 3.5% CO or do you mean leave it as is and set it to 3.5% CO? Is the proper mixture setting in the Bentley? I don't like detonation! Yikes!!!

I just found it in the Bentley. It says for 1980-83 (mine is an 83) idle speed 900 +- 50 rpm. .04 - .08% with the 02 sensor disconnected and the air pump to check valve hose disconnected and plugged. As well as making sure timing is correctly adjusted. Is it silly for me to assume you reconnect the 02 sensor and the air pump to check valve hose when finished?

mca · 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickey356

mca,
I know I'm being a bit "newbie" here, but you mean to disconnect the 02 sensor and set it to 3.5% CO or do you mean leave it as is and set it to 3.5% CO? Is the proper mixture setting in the Bentley? I don't like detonation! Yikes!!!

I just found it in the Bentley. It says for 1980-83 (mine is an 83) idle speed 900 +- 50 rpm. .04 - .08% with the 02 sensor disconnected and the air pump to check valve hose disconnected and plugged. As well as making sure timing is correctly adjusted. Is it silly for me to assume you reconnect the 02 sensor and the air pump to check valve hose when finished?

Didn't mean to scare you. As long as you don't hear pinging you should be ok. BUT I would certainly advise having a shop verify your mixture before getting hard on the throttle and getting up in the higher rpm range. I tend to be overly cautious.

I can't remember exactly how to set mixture when running the 02 sensor. I'd leave that job to a competent shop.

Also have them check your timing. Maybe they retarded the timing too in order to pass inspection. It would be great if they would let you watch the process. That way you can visually see how it is done. There are a lot of steps involved so I don't suggest taking this on unless you are very familiar with the process. It is easy to screw up.

EDIT: 3.5% CO is used when you run the car without the 02 sensor (permanently disconnected). This is what John Walker suggests. I am not suggesting that you do this. Search the archives and make an educated decision. Some like the 02 sensor and others don't.