RandyTibbles

I THINK I KNOW WHAT'S WRONG [TO RITCH OR TO POOR],BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HHHHEEEEELLLLLPPPPP!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!

LongDuck

Randy - first off, chill out.

If you want help, you're going to have to provide information about your car, what you've done to it, and what you think may be causing the problem. Glowing exhaust manifold (engine to cats) could be due to a number of things, but first you need to slow down, type in standard text and take a few minutes to describe exactly what the problem is.

A glowing exhaust manifold (engine to catalysts) is usually due to an overly rich mixture that results in the unburned fuel from a poorly tuned carb going through the engine and into the exhaust header where it's doing it's job - routing burned and unburned fuel gases to the catalysts for additional 'burn-time'. If your header is getting that hot, you're running really rich, and you're probably also seeing poor fuel mileage, black smoke when you get on it, and poor throttle response/poor power output.

There are quite a few things that will need to be explained before we can help you figure it out. Some quick questions that you can respond to for more assistance with a resolution;

1) is your car a 12a (carb) or a 13b (EFI)? What year is it (check title)? What model is it (badge off the back of the car)?

2) any modifications made to it?

3) what kind of mileage are you getting?

4) how long has it been doing this?

5) how mechanically inclined are you - are you good at working on things?

With just a few simple answers, we have some real experts here that can help you out. Welcome to the boards, and post a reply here for more assistance. Take care,

RandyTibbles

OKAY,ITS A 85 GSL-SE. I HAVENT HAD ANY EXTRA MONEY TO MODIFY IT BECAUSE EVERY TIME I FIX SOMETHING,THERE'S ANOTHER PROBLEM. IT HAS A 1.3,I USUALLY GET AROUND 300MI. PER 14.5 GAL. TANK. IT'S BEEN IDLING AT 1200 SINCE I GOT IT,LATLY IT IDLES SO LOW IT ALMOST DIES. I DONT KNOW HOW LONG ITS BEEN GLOWING,I FOUND OUT LAST NITE.AND I CAN HANDLE ANYTHING SHORT OF A REBUILD W/INSTRUCTONS.

sweetege

if you just got in from a hard drive then yea it probably will be glowing thats how they work ours cars naturally run hot. And 300miles a tank is REALLY REALLY good. me and my bro get 250 if were lucky he got 250 once then it stoped on the side of the rode so we try not to go near 250 on 1 tank anymore. But about the manifold it probably will do that do'nt freak out i think it's awesome.

enigma32

And please don't use all capital letters--- on the 'net that means you're yelling

RandyTibbles

They do run hot,but my idles still wrong,it sounds like the timing could be off,ya it's like that! anyway,I got to keep working until it get fixed. I'll be back.

hornbm

It could also be from a clogged cat. Have the cats ever been replaced on your car?

I'd try a new O2 sensor. A car running way too rich can stall when its hot. However if your getting 300 miles to the tank I doubt thats your problem. Your just going to do what you have to with a 20 year old car. Try and replace as many sensors as you can over time, see if you cant get your fuel injectors cleaned and balanced, etc

I'd also suggest, if emissions arent a problem for you, to look into a full racing beat exhaust system. The power gains are incredible, and that would also take care of any catalytic convertor problem you may currently have.

RandyTibbles

I have a new O2 sensor, i just can't get the old one out! I ran it to make it easier to get out, it just won't budge! Also, as for as I know...the o2&cat. are factory! I am trying everything I can do! I'll fix it some how,I always do!

mazda123x5

Getting the 02 sensor out takes a bit of work.
what worked for me was I jacked the car up
then I disconnected the plug to to the sensor.
I then put the closed end of the wrench
on from the top. now go under the car
and wack it with a 2 pound hammer.
done.

Lotus00

Thats exactly what I did. Maybe try spraying some WD-40 on it and let it sit for a couple of hours.

deeman111

could he be running too lean, hence why he gets better milage or something??? i know my extractor glows when its running too lean.. and thats without thrashing it either

lean is not good
-James

cantstopa-7

the vacum soleniods can be screwed up- thats what caused the rought idle in mine - i dont know if theyre called solenoids -but thats what i call them-so just check evrything that has a vacum line to it-and check all the vacum lines -but the best thing to do since it otherwise runs ok is to just leave it alone -turn up the idle if you have to,but if the idles a lil rough its really isnt that big a problem to be upset about,now when tou hear rotor-walk when you rev the engine up and let off the gas -thats a problem! te-te-te-te-te -sputter-r.i.p. lil wankel :[

RandyTibbles

I think I've found the problem! cantstopa-7 said his vacum solenoids were screwed up...Here's what i found: there are 2 solenoids 1 has a green plug,the other an orange. the green one is making a ticking sound when the idle drops,so I un-plugged it,the idle smoothed out! so I guess it's safe to say that is the problem![Or is it?] So, what is it, & where can I get a new one?