I have purchased a 87 GXL that has been sitting for a few years. The original problem was the acuators above the exhaust manifold so it wouldn't start, so I got it to run but I think that the seals may have seized or the carbon build up has plugged them. Does anyone think the ATF will work and if so how would you recommend I do it (amount of fluid, time etc.)

Thanks
Jamie.eh

 

Type in ATF trick under search you use about 1/4 of a quart and you leave it sit for 24 hours

 

will the atf actually work if the motor has seized?? lets say the darn thing wont crank..u can just hear the starter click

 

won't know until you try. its a couple bucks and 24 hrs. i actually put more then a 1/4 in. you're problem, if it is seized, will be getting it in all 6 chambers. i'd suggest putting it into the first 2, letting it sit, then rotate the engine with a breaker bar and socket on the pulley. i'd just be carefull how much force you put on it. if it rotates easily then your problem doesn't lie in the motor.

 

might want to bump the starter or try to push start it

 

through some marvel mystery oil or atf in first before you try to turn the motor in any way. just to be safe.

 

thanks guys, but the engine does run, just no compression in the rear chamber and its fairly easy to rotate the motor by hand. And doesn't the ATF leak into the exhaust cause the port is always open, so will this damage the exhaust

 

You prolly need an engine, not having any compression in the rear housing. How did you check the compression, btw?

 

it will clog your cat. i figured you ran a search on this. you are supposed to disconnect the cat until you smoke it out. if you can rotate by hand then its not seized. so either the starter is spinning but it isn't going to run or your starter is jammed. maybe you don't have enough juice or have a bad ground too. how did you check the compression? i ask because you have 3 chambers on the rear rotor. if you threw one seal you should still have one decent side. not that it matters since you are going to need to rebuild or buy a new motor. first soak it good with the atf, disconnect your cat and see if you can't fire it up. the seals could be frozen to the rotor. the atf should loosen them up if that is the case.

 

In theory it clogs your cats but in reality you can get away with one atf without any harm to your cats...

 

it does clog your cats, no theory. i've talked to too many people that have done it. which makes sense really as they weren't supposed to see a ton of oil. but it is like anyhing, there is an amount it can take that is within an unnoticable level. but you have still damaged it and helped it to die sooner. but for arguments sake, i wouldn't chance it just due to the price of replacing it. unless you live in a non-emissions enforcing city, then gut it or remove it.