if the water thremo valve is defective, does it cause the car to idle erractically? The engine will idle but its missing it has an extreme lack of power and smokes while driving. It had happened the other night(approx. 3 days ago), I had figured it was the plugs so I replaced them, it needed it anyway. The engine was running fine, then this morning it started acting up. I had to replace this: Water Thermo Valve, before to have the car ran good. Everytime it goes out it costs a new set of plugs and a valve from the pick-and-pull that gets pricey after awhile. Just want to make sure this is one of components that can cause this or is there something else to look into? I haven't taken off any of the parts to test them yet. Thanks
1987 n/a 175k on motor, running stock-all emissions, everything except the exhaust

 

Cool a fresno guy...

Anyway a severe lack of power and smoking shouldnt be caused by that. What do you mean by water valve?..the thermostat?
What color is the smoke if it's blueish its oil, white or silver is going to be coolant and both of those means rebuild time. also replacing a thermostat wont cause your plug's to foul so maybe that has something to do with the smoke?

 

I have no idea why you would suspect it, but the thermovalve has very little effect on how the motor runs. It's only job is to control the actuator that closes the #2 secondary throttles until the engine warms up. After that it does nothing until the next cold start. The only way a defective one could affect the engine's running is a vac leak from a broken nipple, and that won't cause your symptoms.

IMO, 175,000 miles + lack of power + smoke = time for rebuild...

 

So it wouldn't affect the secondary throttles? Are you talking about inside the throttle body? What else could cause the missfire and erractic idle? Could it be the emissions such as the secondary air injection system or ACV. Everytime I've replaced it and put a new set of plugs in its ran fine. But it always gets me because it runs good for a couple months and soes it again. I want to diagnose it for the last time. Or it blows up! lol, its my only runner right now and I need it to be "back online" any other ideas?

 

does anybody else have some input on any other ideas why my car is running like this?

 

Misfire and erratic idle just when? Only at idle? LIttle pooh, pooh while idling? Is that the misfire?

So, on this non turbo car, go to the double throttle diaphram and see if it's working or not. See if it will hold vacuum or not. But then again, the secondary plates are spring loaded to the full open position on a non turbo car when the double throttle diaphram is toast.

And the double throttle diaphram only works when the engine is cold.

Have a series four n/a. Erratic idle? Try turning the variable resistor to the full rich direction. Less pooh, pooh.