I picked up a 1987 GTU a few days ago. It had been sitting for about 2 1/2 months, only started in that time maybe 5 or 6 times.

So I test drive it, and it runs GREAT. No smoke, plenty of power, no stupid 3800 rpm issues, etc...

1700 bucks, I'm driving home. I drive it at around 80-85 mph (I was in a hurry) for 35 minutes straight across town to get home. Everything is still ok. Next morning, I get up and go to work. Runs great.

Then, my break. The 3800rpm syndrome happens. So I figure I'll run some grounds after work, and things will be fine. (Still haven't gotten around to that)

So yesterday morning, I go outside and start the car to go to the junkyard, I need the plastic surround that goes around the idiot lights. I look in my rearview mirror, and it's smoking everywhere! The rpms drop to 1500 and the "Add coolant" light AND buzzer are going off. I shut off the car immeadiately. I left it that way all day. I read up on the issue and alot people were saying to warm the car. So I did. I let it sit for about 5 minutes last night. In that time, the add coolant light and buzzer turned off, and the car seemed fine. It was too dark to see smoke, but if you stood right behind the car, you could smell exhaust, but that's every car.

I took off down the street, still stumbling at 3800, but the temperature gauge barely moves! Even after driving at high speed for 35 minutes to take it home, it never moved off of this:



:/

I'm about to go start it up after I post this.

 

Check your coolant levels, if it's disappearing = burning coolant -----> coolant seals going out => umm yeah... rebuild time.

 

I'll go do that.

I started it this morning, it smoked a bit until it got warm, and then it was fine. No buzzer or light ever.

Hmph.

 

Just because you are loosing coolant doesn't mean that you have a bad coolant seal. What color was the smoke? Blue, white (really white) or the normal gray color. Check for any visible leaks, if you cant find any then get the cooling system pressure tested.

 

I drove it around today and it was perfectly fine. I'm so lost.

It's not "really" white, but it's white. Maybe it has a tint of grey, I don't know.

It's strange, the 3800 rpm stumble is gone. It doesn't smoke or buzz anymore. And I didn't do anything to help fix the problems. I'm gonna take it into Rotary Rx tomorrow for a full inspection.

 

Don't pay attention to the people who cry "blown seal" at every hiccup. Test it out first. Your temp is exactly where it should be, so I doubt you have any serious problems like that. OTOH that smoke out the back does sound pretty crazy.

The reason your buzzer went off after warming up the car was because the coolant sensor is in your radiator. Coolant could not reach your radiator and coolant sensor until your thermostat opened.

www.aaroncake.net has a good guide on grounding and a guide on how to diagnose cooling system problems.